what version of the stream do you have? i got mine for about 20 bucks last month but i only use it to read cause it lasts longer than any phone i've used of constant reading. that is the only reason though

It's the latest one.

I'm going to give it to a charity asap.

These devices exist primarily to be sold to unsuspecting schools.  That's half a joke, but also kind of not.  There are, surprisingly, sources of funding which schools have access to that can only be used on certain things through companies which have gone through various legal hurdles.

The Victor Reader Stream had a brief moment in something like 2008 where it shined because iPhones hadn't really become super popular yet, and Bookshare hadn't gone as digital as it is, and RFBND (now Learning Ally) didn't have apps but you had to use a device that supported their DRM to play the files.  I'm old enough to remember being so thrilled that I didn't have to carry around a CD player that was as big as a netbook.

Hi.

@camlorn: I guess I wanted it for a break from my phone but... I could just use my computer for that.

I've just emailed a charity and hopefully they'll get back to me tomorrow and someone will take it off my hands.

@techmaster20I'm glad you enjoy the treck but I don't like the victor reader streams layout and honestly the fact you can't connect bluetooth headphones to this thing in this day and age is shockingly bad.

@Brad: The Trek, not the stream, can connect headphones and is a shit ton faster in performance than the Stream2. Agreed re: Blindsquare, but until IPhone apps can b truly remote controlled, I'll keep the physical buttons, thank you. Even then there's the obvious issue of battery drain with not all phones being very energy-efficient, and sometimes you just need the phone to, you know, be the phone.

Hi.

@jack, you can connect bluetooth headphones to the treck? nice.

@dark, I'm sure it's great for books but for podcasts I find it to be slow but as you say, different strokes.

I use the Stream, not the treck, and I still like it much better than the I Phone for book reading. All I use the I Phone for is simple phone things like calling, texting and setting alarms. I used to have a Samsung Intensity 2 before the I Phone and liked that better in terms of phone use, especially now that it has full accessibility and voice commands. It also has button opperation, internet and e-mail and even GPS if you download them. One thing that it doesn't and will never probably have is Seeing AI, which is very good and that's why I have the I Phone and Apple Watch now. Back to topic, I think the Victor Stream is good for at least ofline reading, I usually download books by putting the SD card into the computer and transfering books that way. I also put podcasts, music files and Anastacia performances on it. I sometimes use it for text files, but not that much because "Crappy Crappapella" (accapella) can't say words that I use in my books like booss, Jiminite, Sirennia and other made up words or Manamon names.

agree with @10

Lol hate to disappoint you Ernie, but the speaker on the second gen is actually way worse than that of the original. I can't speak for the treck as I've never tried it, but yeah. I still want a second gen though.

@Brad and @chris:
Trek runs on a quad core snapdragon410e running at 1.2ghz. Ram I'm not sure if it's 2gb or 4, but either way it's much better than the Stream2's speed. I was able to download 70 episodes of a podcast series I needed to move over in all of a day's work. As for updates, they're coming. Their main focus has really been a major reworking of the routing engine. They are using a new routing engine that works out a lot of the kinks within open nav and turn-by-turn directions. Yes, it actually does make a noticeable difference. Galileo support is coming, the FCC just needs to actually approve it for commercial use which was promised many months ago but the FCC has been noticeably slower to act. Bluetooth beacons and the fm radio are coming as well. But the routing engine, even though it was an under the hood update, is definitely a major one that did require a few months of work on its own.
Agreed re: the Stream2's speaker. While it's weak volume-wise, it has better balance at least.

@jack: I completely agree with you. I don't regret my purchase of the treck. I've owned all 3 streams, the first gen, second gen, and the treck. THe first gen I don't have anymore, but i have both the treck and the second gen still. It's really great to hear that updates are coming. I indeed did see something in my e-mail about a podcast they are doing talking about what they have planned fot the treck this year. I believe it's going to be sometime on the 7th of this month for anyone who is interested. I'm not sure what time it will be, but i'm pretty sure there's a recording you will be able to listen to later.

Agreed with blindsquare and the i Phone for sure. Could not find an app on android that was like blindsquare. Sure there are GPS apps for blind people on android but I just feel like blindsquare has a much easier layout and presents the information the best. I'd say nearby explorer is the way to go on android though. Also was not impressed with the victor stream. Granted this was back in 08 when I used one. The blind shell is a good idea for sure but I would imagine going from an i Phone to that is a huge change.