PRECURSOR TO ipod?

[REEVESVO]

Can someone please help me remember the name of the subscription service that would download programming from the internet, to be carried via a handheld unit? I remember the unit looking sort of like a clunky cell phone. The unit itself might have been RCA or Motorolla. Programming was mostly talk, like maybe Rush or Bloomberg. I think there was a monthly fee which included use of the portable unit - it wasn't a widely-sold retail item like at Best Buy or something.

Any ideas? I didn't dream this, did I?

 

[jegrant]

Are you thinking of Audible.com? They used to offer a hardware device called Otis.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,485,00.asp

 

[wesdev224]

Are you thinking of Audible.com? They used to offer a hardware device called Otis.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,485,00.asp

While we are on the subject of personal/portable listening devices, does anyone remember a product called the Bone Fone? I remember seeing this product being advertised in the National Lampoon back in the late 70's/early 80's. It hung around your neck like a scarf. It had an FM receiver and two speakers. The controls were at one end of the device, and the two speakers were situated below or just behind the ears. An antenna was built into the units housing. I never had an opportunity to listen to one. But the set up sounds as if it would have provided exceptional stereo separation.

I'll never forget my first FM Sony Walkman. I purchased it around 1981. It had seperate pots for each channel and provided amazing sound and seperation. I used to love walking through the woods at night when there was a full moon, with the gang I hung with. I'd strap this thing on and the entire expanse of woods sounded like a concert hall. That's how incredibly huge the sound of this Walkman was. I wish I had it today.

 

[P-R]

does anyone remember a product called the Bone Fone? I remember seeing this product being advertised in the National Lampoon back in the late 70's/early 80's. It hung around your neck like a scarf. It had an FM receiver and two speakers. The controls were at one end of the device, and the two speakers were situated below or just behind the ears. An antenna was built into the units housing. I never had an opportunity to listen to one. But the set up sounds as if it would have provided exceptional stereo separation.

I am suprised anyone remembers that thing ;D I had one...bought it in 1980 maybe '81 at the latest. I remember it came with a bone shaped white storage bag. Seperation was very good. It supposedly worked with bone conduction in the skull/ears.

 

[flytrap]

It was called a "bone phone" they had an AM only version and an AM FM version. If I remember correctly the AM version cost around $39, but didn't sell very well because nobody wanted to pay that kind of money for an am radio. Plus the thing probally didn't look very cool around your neck. I always wanted to try one out when I was a kid but they didn't make them for that many years. a couple of years ago I saw one on EBAY. You could prob. google "bone phone" and see what pops up.

 

[wesdev224]

Are you thinking of Audible.com? They used to offer a hardware device called Otis.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,485,00.asp

I'll never forget my first FM Sony Walkman. I purchased it around 1981. It had seperate pots for each channel and provided amazing sound and seperation. I used to love walking through the woods at night when there was a full moon, with the gang I hung with. I'd strap this thing on and the entire expanse of woods sounded like a concert hall. That's how incredibly huge the sound of this Walkman was. I wish I had it today.

Well, 27 years later, I was fortunate enough to find the exact same model Walkman on Ebay. It is in incredibly good shape for a unit this old. I'll bet most of you have experienced the disappointment of remembering something in one light, and re-experiencing it years later in a lesser light. Well, I'm happy to report that the Walkman sounds as good as I remember. You can go back home sometimes!