No you don't need a data plan.  As a matter of fact, I think iPods only 
access the internet through wifi networks.  The only time you would pay a 
charge is if you wanted to access a public wifi network that charged for 
access i.e. some hotels, airports etc.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 9:12 PM
Subject: Re: Ipod vs the Plextalk or Stream?


> Thanks for the info Steve.  I have limited experience with an Iphone and
> think it's very cool and quite usable.  However, I am still wondering if 
> you
> need a data plan to use the Ipod or can you use it just by connecting to 
> the
> internet from your router or any open WiFi spot?  Jim  WA6EKS
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Steve Dresser
> Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 6:09 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Ipod vs the Plextalk or Stream?
>
> Jim,
>
> The biggest advantage to the iPod is that you can use all kinds of apps 
> for
> just about anything you can imagine, including reading NLS books and
> magazines, streaming Internet radio, podcasts, ham radio (Echolink,
> Repeaterbook, etc.), and the list goes on.  The big disadvantage is that 
> you
> have to interact with a touch screen instead of real buttons, which you 
> can
> certainly learn to do, but it's not quite as nice as the feel of real
> buttons under your fingers, especially when you're in a hurry.  In the
> interest of full disclosure, I use my iPod almost exclusively for reading
> NLS books, but every once in a while I get the urge to just use my 
> Bookport
> Plus to feel those real buttons under my fingers.
>
> Steve
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2013 14:02
> Subject: Ipod vs the Plextalk or Stream?
>
>
>> Russ, have not thought of buying an IPOD.  I know they are
>> accessible with VoiceOver, how are they to use and what are the
>> advantages over the PlexTalk or say updated VR Stream? Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Russ Kiehne <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Thu, 26 Dec 2013 07:08:19 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> When you get the update, let us know.  I don't use my plextalk
>> pocket very
>> much any more for streaming radio.  I use the tunin radio app on
>> my ipod
>> touch.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Gammon
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:02 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Yah, I'm hoping to use the same internet rajio folder when the
>> Stream is able to recognize it.  Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Russ Kiehne <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 06:57:24 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> If the Stream works like the plextalk pocket, you could probably
>> use the
>> plextalk pocket files.  I use my Ipad mini to read books from
>> bard.  I can
>> directly download books to it.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Gammon
>> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2013 10:52 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Russ, it will indeed be interesting to see how they manage
>> Internet radio on the Stream.  I have been  wondering the same
>> thing.  When I did download a BARD book on the Apex, the only
>> thing I couldn't seem to do is to move the new book in a separate
>> folder to the SD card containing the stuff that I play on the VR
>> Stream.  It would only copy all the files to the DBT directory
>> where you could play the book but it wouldn't just move the
>> folder over to the card.  Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Russ Kiehne <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Mon, 23 Dec 2013 07:19:01 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Interesting on the streaming radio.  I wonder if it will work
>> like the
>> plextalk pocket.  I heard some talk about also being able to
>> download books
>> from bard on it.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Gammon
>> Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2013 7:00 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Other than the strange anomaly that just happened, I love it.
>> It's louder then the original one and you can also download stuff
>> from NFB newsline directly to it.  I hear that come the first of
>> the year, they will have an update that will allow us to listen
>> to streaming radio on it.  Can't wait and hope it works fine.
>> 73, Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Russ Kiehne <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Sun, 22 Dec 2013 06:37:33 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Great, glad you got it working again?
>> How do you like the second generation Stream?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Gammon
>> Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 8:55 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Well, that solution didn't help though I tried it.  But like I
>> indicated in an earlier post, the thing is working again.
>> Thanks, Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Russ Kiehne <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Sat, 21 Dec 2013 07:33:05 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> This speaker problem is a known issue with the first generation
>> victor
>> reader stream.  Several people have been able to fix it by
>> plugging and
>> unplugging headphones several times.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bob, K8LR
>> Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 6:42 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>> Jim,
>>
>> The earphone and speaker volumes are separate.  Try turning up
>> the volume
>> with the player playing in to the speaker.  I have a newer
>> vrstream ana so
>> far so good.
>>
>> Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Jim Gammon" <[log in to unmask]
>> To: <[log in to unmask]
>> Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2013 12:54 AM
>> Subject: Rebooting my Victor Reader Stream
>>
>>
>> Update, I tried an earphone on the Stream and it's working, just
>> not through the speaker.  It's 100 percent charged.  When I
>> plugged in the headphone, the volume was all the way down.  I
>> tried turning up the volume while the thing was playing and
>> unplugged the headphone.  Holding down the up volume did no good.
>> Either the part of the computer that controls the speaker is
>> messed up, the speaker itself is messed up, or the headphone plug
>> has an issue with it.  My earlier email is below.
>>  Does anyone on the list have a newer Victor Reader Stream? I
>> tried to turn mine on earlier today and it just flat wouldn't
>> boot up.  It wasn't run down and I charged it even so before
>> trying to turn it on again.  I removed the battery and pushed the
>> on button, then replaced the battery and same results.  At
>> present, I have removed  the battery  and am just letting it sit
>> with no power to it.  If anyone knows of a way to reset the thing
>> I'd like to know.  It's a bummer to have a bunch of books to read
>> and no way to read them.  Jim WA6EKS
>>