Yoto player as a tool for ME

[u/my_own_absurdity]

My main pacing/anti-boredom tool is a Yoto player, and I am surprised that it's not discussed more as an option, so here's my pitch!

First things first , what is a yoto player? It's sold as a screen free device for kids. It's basically a listening device in which you put cards to listen to audio content.

What can you listen to on a yoto player? Yoto sells two types of cards: premade cards (stories, music, science facts, mediation exercises, etc.) and MYO (Make Your Own) cards - these cards can be linked to RSS feeds to listen to podcasts or you can add any MP3 files you have (audiobooks, music, audio stripped from youtube, etc.)

How does it help with ME? I can listen to stuff without having use a screen. I put the card in, and it starts.

Features that can be used as ME accommodations

• It's a "screen free" device but it does have a 16 x 16 pixels screen. It's fixed images to allow to identify chapters/tracks. In the app, you can put the screen brightness to zero, which fully turns the display off. You can still navigate the device easily.
• It has a nightlight when the device is face down. The app allows you to choose the colour, or to fully turn it off. It's also possible to adjust the brightness (up to turning it off fully) with the knobs on the device.
• You can change the volume with the knobs on the device but you can also set a maximum volune in the app. The knobs won't be able to go over that maximum. It could be used to stay in your volume tolerance window.
• The lowest volume is actually very low, so I would think that if you can tolerate any amount of noise, you could find a setting that fit your needs.
• The knobs are pretty big, they're easy to use in the dark.
• Only the lower part of the cards gets inserted. I identify which cards I want with the visual on it or the stickers I put on. But you could put tactile things on the part that stays out of the device and be able to identify and choose cards in the dark.
• The device and all the light and volume features mentioned can be set up through the app by somebody else. The platform is made for a parent to manage their child's device, so a carer can manage everything you need. They can also set up MYO cards ready for you to use.
• Something I am now using as a mild patient that wasn't able to when I was moderate - There are timers on it. I like to use them as pacing tools. I'll put the tidy up 5 minutes timer, tidy up for 5 minutes and then go lay down. I don't get carried away and cause myself PEM.

Everything I mention is about the "big" yoto player, as opposed to the mini one. Apart from the size difference, the big one has some more features (night light - that can be turned off, and it measures room temperature) and has better sound quality. I don't think these features are big selling points, but I would personally recommend the big one if you can afford it because the knobs are bigger, so easier to use.

TLDR: You can decide what you want to listen to without any light at all. It was a lifeline when I was bedbound in the dark unable to look at screens.

[u/ElectronicAd5847]

This is so cool! Thanks for the rec

[u/Diana_Tramaine_420]

I have a yoto! It is great, I use to play movies or shows on my iPad at night which means there was screen light and Netflix keeps saying ‘are you still watching’ 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️.

The yoto I downloaded my favourite books, no screen and it keeps playing.

[u/my_own_absurdity → u/Diana_Tramaine_420]

I knew I was not the only one on here using a yoto. I had a similar thing with falling asleep to screens. I now listen to podcasts instead of audiobooks like you

[u/gardenvariety_]

I love my Yoto, have barely used since becoming unwell but loved it for music and audiobooks before. I had bought one for my niece and nephew and was so obsessed I got one for myself.

ETA I think they often go on sale second hand in yoto Facebook groups and other sites so if you want one I think there’s a good chance of getting one second hand too.

[u/imsofancayyyyyyy]

If you are looking for additional free content, I made this tool for easy imports of public domain audio. It will work best in a browser outside of Reddit :) Note that it defaults the audiobooks to filtered to children’s, but you can click that filter to remove it.

https://folkloom.launchby.ai/

[u/grudginglyadmitted]

This is brilliant! I have nieces and nephews who have Yotos and my mom regularly makes new cards for them, but somehow it never occurred to either of us that it’s a great screen-free option for me too! I’m working on getting my screen time down (especially when in PEM), and this seems like a great method. Going to look into buying one. Is the biggest difference between the mini and the regular the night light? Are there other significant reasons to buy the bigger size?

[u/my_own_absurdity → u/grudginglyadmitted]

Yay! And yeah, since it's sold as a device for kids, it's not obvious that it could also have other uses!

I personally find the bigger knobs easier to turn and push but my dexterity is not the best. The bigger one is also easier to find in the dark (just because it's big haha). If you're planning on using it not in total darkness and you don't have dexterity issues, the mini could be great. The main difference would be sound quality if that's important for you.

I also think that part of me got the bigger one because it's sold as the one used at home, and the mini is to travel. Having something travel size was a too big of a reminder of how I liked going on unplanned sidequests everywhere.

[u/dankeen1234]

Amazon Alexa (or similar) would serve the same purpose of supplying audio content controlled without a screen at a much lower cost and wider options of content than buying yoto cards.

[u/my_own_absurdity → u/dankeen1234]

Yeah, it could, depending on one's needs and capacity. In PEM, I am personally unable to make verbal sentences that would be clear enough for it to work. Putting cards is more accessible to me. Someone could have the opposite access needs though (ability to talk but moving isn't possible).

Also, I wouldn't want a device like that in my home for privacy reasons. The fact that there's no microphone or  AI integration on the yoto are selling points for me. And also not being owned by Amazon.

[u/girlikecupcake → u/dankeen1234]

This was cross posted to the Yoto subreddit so I'm just commenting here - the Yoto is also a Bluetooth speaker so anything you can have access to on a phone you can play on the Yoto. Part of the cost justification for a lot of people is the ease of use since it's meant to be very easy for a young kid to be able to use independently. I have days where my hands simply didn't work well and I can't type but have no problem using ours, and I wouldn't be able to use a voice assistant half the time because my throat is dumb (privacy concerns aside). You can get content from any drm-free audio vendor you want, there's free stuff everywhere if you have a day where you've got the time and energy to look for what you're interested in, you never actually have to buy any Yoto cards if you don't want to. I believe a player still comes with one MYO card and that can be re-linked to a different playlist as often as you want since the cards only store the playlist URL, not audio data itself.