Our library recently started offering PlayAways. They're kinda neat. It's a self-contained audiobook. You just plug your headphones into the jack and use the controls (similar to an MP3 player) to operate. They're about the same size as a deck of playing cards. My mom and I each checked one out last week and they're pretty neat. They don't work well with my iGo that plays audio devices through the FM radio, but they're great for when I'm walking or working around the house. They also had some titles that aren't available for download on the library website.

Has anyone else tried or seen these? What did you think?

I've seen them in stores, but never in the library. I've never tried them, though, and probably won't. I don't like headphones or anything in my ears.

I've seen them too, I think at an airport. But for the same reason that I hate earplugs and having to be carrying the thing around or be tied to it at a desk, I was not interested. I prefer audio books on my hifi. And my library has way more audio books than these PlayAways. I do think it may be a good sale at the airports though. For people who want to kill time but don't like reading.

Also, if one is to buy it, does one just throw the whole unit away afterwards? That sounds so wasteful. There may be some recycling or rebate to send it back to the manufacturer. I dunno.