SentenceShaper.com
An innovative approach to language software for aphasia
An innovative approach to language software for aphasia
As we saw in the section about playing exported mp3 files, all you need to play an exported SentenceShaper mp3 file is some kind of music (media) player accessory program, such as Windows Media Player. Mp3 players almost always come pre-installed on computers and handheld devices.
We have designed the export feature to be very flexible, in order to work on many different devices. However, the downside of this approach is that we can't guarantee that mp3s will play on your particular device, or that their pictures and captions will be displayed while the mp3 files are playing. You may need to check for updates to the mp3 player on your handheld device if it doesn't work properly --older mp3 players will not show the pictures or captions-- or select a different media (music) player.
Two steps
To transfer an mp3 file or playlist to a handheld device (smartphone, iPod, iPad, etc), you need two things:
- A way to copy the exported SentenceShaper files onto the handheld device
- A way to play the exported files once they are on the handheld
These are covered separately below.
Step 1: Transfer your files to the handheld device
Most handheld devices have some way to let you copy files from a computer to the handheld device. So your first task is to find out how to do this copying. You may need to look at the help files on the device, or Google for more information about your specific device. When you have copied the files over, proceed to Step #2 below.
iPods, iPads, iPhones
If you want to transfer files to an Apple device such as an iPod, iPhone, or iPad, you will probably use iTunes for this purpose. Because iTunes can be very complex, we have provided some instructions below. But for some handheld devices, this step -- of transferring exported files to the handheld -- may be very simple, so if you don't need to use iTunes, do not be put off by the instructions below, and just go to Step #2.
Another approach: email
Finally, another way to put SentenceShaper mp3 files onto a handheld device is to email them to yourself, if you have a smartphone with email. Then you can play them on the device.
How to transfer exported files using iTunes
How to transfer an entire workbook:
Open iTunes...we will assume that you have already used it.
Import the workbook as an iTunes playlist as follows:
- Open the "File" menu on the top of the iTunes screen
- Now choose "Library"
- Now choose "Import playlist..." as shown in the screen shot.
- This will open up a window for you to browse for the playlist. Browse to your export folder, find the workbook, and open it.
- Click on the file whose name begins with "PLAYLIST" and ends with ".m3u". Click "Open."
Important: Be sure to use only the folders and playlists that do NOT have the word "INTERNET" in their names. The latter materials are designed to play files posted on a website. If you don't see a folder without "INTERNET" in its name, then open the Export Settings Screen, make sure you are not set to the "Internet" export option, and re-export the workbook.
The list of files will look something like that shown in the screenshot (the playlist file is outlined in red).
- Now play the workbook in iTunes to make sure it is correct. Note: in order to see the pictures in iTunes, click the button (outlined in red on the upper right of the screenshot here) to set you to view the playlist in "Cover Flow" mode.
- Next, connect the handheld device (iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc) to your computer.
- In the device's sync settings, make sure it is set to "sync selected playlists" or to "sync entire music library". If you choose to sync selected playlists, make sure that your workbook playlist is selected.
- Click "Apply" or "Sync" to transfer the files to your device.
Syncing a REVISED workbook
If you revise a workbook and want to transfer the NEW version of the workbook to your apple device, we recommend that you rename the workbook within SentenceShaper before re-importing it into iTunes. Otherwise, iTunes may not import the new version properly.
So here is how to re-import the revised workbook:
- In iTunes, you may want to delete the original playlist for that workbook, just to avoid confusion. (Playlists are shown on the lower left of the iTunes screen; right click it and select "Delete").
- Import the renamed workbook's playlist into Itunes as described above.
- Play the new workbook's playlist within iTunes to make sure it has your changes.
- If you have have iTunes set up to "sync entire music library", then you can now sync your device and the new version should appear on the device. But if you have iTunes set to just sync just selected playlists, then you will need to select the new, renamed workbook's playlist in the list of playlists to be synced.
Step #2: Play your files on the handheld device
Most handheld devices now play mp3 files and playlists, and so they should be able to play exported SentenceShaper files. If you already use your device to play music, then you should be all set. Otherwise, you may want to start by reviewing our instructions for playing the exported files on your computer. If the handheld device has a default music player, that music player may automatically "find" the imported mp3 files and playlist file (note: the file that specifies what is in the playlist is the one named "PLAYLIST<workbook name>.m3u"). Or the music player on the device may have its own procedures for locating music files.
Instructions for Apple devices
Once you have synced the playlist to your iPod, iPad, or iPhone, you will play it as you would play any music playlist on your device. You can use the "Music" or "iPod" app on the device, or any other app that plays music playlists. Note: Be sure to select "Playlists" in the ipod app, and do NOT turn on the "Shuffle" feature since you probably want your utterances to be played in order.
Another way to play your files on a handheld device...
The default music player applications on handheld devvices such as the iPod and iPad are not always ideal for playing speech files. For example, on the iPod/iPad, the playlists go from one mp3 file ("song") to the next automatically; the user must tap the Pause Button to stop playback. Also, the playback controls can be hard to access...in some devices, you have to tap the screen in order to see the playback controls, then tap the control itself. Finally, these apps may display the pictures in ways that are not ideal for this use...they may intermittently hide the text captions, or display the pictures for the next and last mp3 files, etc. We would be very interested in learning about third-party apps that are more user-friendly for this task (or we may just create one ourselves)...so stay tuned to this section of our website for information about playback options.
However, if you have a website, then another way to play your productions is to have them uploaded to a website, and then access them from a handheld device such as an iPad or cellphone. You would export your files using our "Internet" export setting. This creates a folder that can be uploaded to (and integrated with) a website fairly easily. You can then access your files from a handheld device such as an iPad or cellphone. You can see what this is like with the sample workbook posted on this website.