Yoto - blank cards, radio?

[k80pie]

Hey Yoto users…

Looking into buying one for our audio book loving DS5 - just have a couple of questions about things I’ve heard other people say they do with them…

How do you get audio onto the blank cards? I’ve heard people say they put Spotify songs onto them, and also audiobooks borrowed from library apps…but I can’t understand how you would get these things off the apps onto a card, when you can’t really own or download the files…can you?

Also I’ve heard Yoto plays radio - but is it real online radio stations (we have a local radio station weekend kids show we love that it would be great for him to listen to independently sometimes) or is it kind of ‘pretend’ Yoto radio?

You upload MP3 files to their website and build a playlist and then link it to a card.

It's "Yoto" radio, not local stations.

Thanks @rampagingrobot . I can’t imagine how I would be able to get an .mp3 file from Spotify to upload - isn’t this only possible if you have bought the track from itunes or something? It’s years since I started using Spotify so haven’t dealt with an mp3 file in ages - but people say they do it - it is possible? Same for Libby (library app) - can you download mp3s of the books you’ve borrowed?! Seems unlikely but again I’ve seen people say on old threads that they’ve done it…

If you Google for it there are various websites which claim to download files from Spotify. They actually query Spotify for the album data and then find matching files to download from YouTube, but that might be good enough for you.

No yoto here. Just to say, as an alternative DC has a fun looking speaker. We borrow audiobooks from the library on his tablet. He has endless author-red options, no clutter (in the form of cards for each book), no breaching copyright by copying mp3-s, sleep setting, etc.

I use BorrowBox to borrow audiobooks from the library, as it allows you to download MP3s, on condition that you delete them when the loan period has finished.

Spotify is a streaming service so you can't use it to make playlists for Yoto, no. You have to buy and download the MP3 files you want. Another option, if you have a CD drive, is to borrow or buy CDs and "rip" them like in the good old days of the 90s

There are lots of different radio stations and podcasts available through the app - they're all aimed at children. However, you can set up a link to a radio station or podcast of your choice; I've done it.

Yoto daily (their own podcast) is absolutely brilliant; my son listens every day and really enjoys it.

You can also use the Yoto as a Bluetooth speaker to play anything you want from a smartphone or tablet.

I think they're fantastic, can you tell?!

Or you can use this to actually record the songs from Spotify, but it does take as long as the songs are.

They do bbc radio 1-5

My kids like Yoto radio (although I did once have to email them to suggest that Belle and Sebastian's Boy With The Arab Strap Night not be a great song choice 😂).

Agree that the daily.podcast is great too. I've successfully ripped audio CDs from the library to my laptop and then put them on cards - a bit faffy/long-winded, but works perfectly well. My family have also recorded stories which I've put onto cards - these are my kids' favourites!

I have to say, we hardly ever buy the proper story cards and don't make the most of the other podcasts either (I think you have to link your preferred podcast to a blank card) but we do sometimes use it as a Bluetooth speaker and it's an excellent clock too!

If you want to check out the free content, you can download the Yoto app - you don't need a player to use it.

Hi - how do you download the mp3s on borrow box please?
Love the yoto in our house! Have made some of our own cards too.
They seems to have a great deal on at the moment for a yoto mini, adventure jacket and wireless headphones

uk.yotoplay.com/collections/mini-adventurer-bundle

If you're not already a member of your local library, you need to join. Then sign up to BorrowBox with your library membership. Then you can borrow audiobooks and there is an option to download the files.

Thank you - I'm already a BorrowBox member and have borrowed an audiobook. Now I can't work out how to download the files... where is the option please? Thank you so much. Do I need to look on my phones files somewhere?
Thank you 🙏

I find it easier on the laptop but I think you can do it on a phone or tablet.

Thank you - worked out how to do it! Using web browser for library account on phone. This opens up a lot more possibilities!