Playing audiobooks

[SDFF]

I'm ordering a 2026 Maverick Lariat Hybrid this week. I currently have a 2004 Explorer Sport Trac which has the factory radio / CD player. I normally check out books on CD from the library. I have an iPhone SE, and I understand that I can download books from either from cloudLibrary or Libby, but I don't know anything about this. Wondering if anyone has made this transition and how it worked. Is there any downside to playing books through the radio by plugging in my phone (I assume this is what I have to do) compared to using CDs? Thanks.

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[SDFF]

Carplay (do not need cord)
Libby or audible. They both work.
In CarPlay, scroll on screen until you see the audible or Libby app.
Select the app just like if you were using your phone.
You’ll see, it behaves like using phone screen.

I use the wireless charging pad for my iPhone to keep it charged up.

You will need to setup your truck you use your phone with CarPlay - very easy to do. After that, your truck will always connect automatically when you get in to drive.

I mostly use the truck’s built in SiriusXM set on the 40’s channel.
It automatically comes on when I get in the truck. I can also use the SiriusXM app on my phone.
I occasionally play an ebook through Libby or audible.

Good Luck

I think they did away with the wireless charging pad. Maybe I can keep the phone plugged in to my truck to keep it charged?
I assume CarPlay is something that comes with the Maverick?
What happens when you're listening to a book and apple maps gps needs to notify you of an upcoming turn, etc.?
I don't plan to buy SiriusXM; or does it come for free for a year with the purchase?
Audible: I think you also have to buy those books, correct? I have been checking out CDs from the library for years, this will be a new experience, hope it's as easy.

 

[Quest]

I just put them on a USB stick to play

 

[d7602002]

Audiobooks? Hell, just read a book while you are driving. What's the worst that can happen? Other than crashing and hurting or killing someone or yourself......

 

[processwrench]

I just bluetooth connect to the phone, usually comes right up, occasionally i need to select the source on the radio to the phone.

 

[morrisangelo]

My wife loves the Libby app on her iphone.

 

[SDFF]

I just put them on a USB stick to play

I can't burn CDs anymore, I have a new computer (they don't even have CD drives in computers anymore).

 

[glohworm]

I've been downloading and listening to audiobooks for years now from "audiobookbay.lu". They come in mp3 or m4b formats that I write to SD cards or USB thumb drives. These books are all free downloads.

 

[HawkeyeBunny]

I think they did away with the wireless charging pad. Maybe I can keep the phone plugged in to my truck to keep it charged?

Keep the phone plugged in, it will charge the phone.

I assume CarPlay is something that comes with the Maverick?

Should be an app on your phone.

What happens when you're listening to a book and apple maps gps needs to notify you of an upcoming turn, etc.?

Pauses the book, gives you your directions, the resumes the book.

I don't plan to buy SiriusXM; or does it come for free for a year with the purchase?

I bought my truck in 2022, did not come with it then but things may have changed.

Audible: I think you also have to buy those books, correct? I have been checking out CDs from the library for years, this will be a new experience, hope it's as easy.

Download the Libby app and you can borrow from the library that way. It's super easy.

 

[dbbii]

I always like to listen to books on CD when on long trips. Pre-COVID, you pretty much had to have an actual CD. Then when everthing closed, things like the Libby app started showing up. My Mav was the first vehicle I owned that did NOT have a CD player. So, I bought one for like $10 off Amazon. Works fine for me.

Since I have a pop socket on my phone, the wireless charger won't work. So, I just plug the phone into the jacks on the back of the center console. The CD player plugs into the port in front.

 

[SDFF]

I always like to listen to books on CD when on long trips. Pre-COVID, you pretty much had to have an actual CD. Then when everthing closed, things like the Libby app started showing up. My Mav was the first vehicle I owned that did NOT have a CD player. So, I bought one for like $10 off Amazon. Works fine for me.

Since I have a pop socket on my phone, the wireless charger won't work. So, I just plug the phone into the jacks on the back of the center console. The CD player plugs into the port in front.

Can I ask what a "pop socket" on your phone is? I have an iPhone SE - do you think I might have a pop socket?
When you say, "the jacks on the back of the center console", since I don't have my truck yet, what does that mean? Do you have to disassemble anything to get to the back of the center console?

 

[Clarkdonbran]

The Libby app is buggy sometimes, but a great way to listen to audiobooks for free. The Jack Reacher books are easy listens. Not a lot of characters or locations and very consistent structure to the stories. Lots of ass kicking too!

 

[Fletch_KC]

Big fan of Libby, Audible and Chirp. All work well and seamlessly with Car Play (easy to set up).
'25 Lariat has the wireless charging pad (might have changed for '26?)

 

[Dad]

Since you have an iPhone, your Maverick is able to use CarPlay to display some of your iPhone apps on the Mav's screen. There are a number of apps for audiobooks, including Audible and AudioBooks, both free. They will show up on your Mav's CarPlay screen. Some folks use a wireless connection adapter to your Mav's screen so that CarPlay will come up automatically without having to cable up. Numerous ones on Amazon. The one drawback with not using a cable is unless you have the wireless charging pad, you'll still need to cable up to keep your phone charged. As mentioned in an earlier post, your music or audiobook narrative will fade out to accommodate a map directive.
Hope this helps along with the other advice/suggestions given.

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