Audiobook losing last listening position

I've heard that iTunes interface on a computer allows user to state they want device to remember or forget last listening position for particular audiobooks.

I do not purchase via iTunes on a computer... I've bought books straight from my iPhone (and would like to continue to do so).

But when I listen to non-audiobook content, I lose my place in the audiobook. (Most lately "Under The Dome", but I'm doubting it is associated with a particular book.)

If there is such a flag ("remember my position"), could the default setting please be REMEMBER ? Especially if the content is purchased directly on the iPhone? I rarely sync my device.

(Also this is a request for advice, if I'm overlooking an iPhone setting. I don't believe I am of course.)

MacBook, iPhone OS 3.1.2, Audiobook purchase direct on iPhone

Posted on Jan 10, 2010 4:35 PM

Reply
7 replies

Jan 21, 2010 11:34 PM in response to gordon mcdowell

There is no setting for remember last played position for audio on the iPhone-only video.
I can find no such setting in iTunes-either under preferences or under the iPhone management tabs.

My audiobooks work as expected(last position remembered).
I did not change any settings or enable anything-I believe it is automatic and the default to remember last played position for audio.

Did you try a reset(power off/power on)?

Feb 3, 2010 2:47 PM in response to Dunstan Cooke

I've been having the same problem for the past 2 or 3 months. The iPhone loses my place in my audiobooks, usually reverting to the previous day's stopping point and losing the most recent day's stopping point. This happens regularly, but not every time: about half the time, I'm taken to the spot where I last left off. I do not see a correlation with an iTunes sync — I've run into the problem both with and without an intervening sync. I've been hoping that Apple would come up with a fix in a new software release, but so far the problem persists. Meanwhile, I've taken to making a note of the precise point (chapter and time) at which I stop listening to a book so that I can quickly find my spot next time if the iPhone has lost my place.

If Apple is monitoring this discussion, I hope it will get the message and figure out a solution.

Mar 17, 2010 8:06 AM in response to samgagnon

I am also seeing this strange behavior. I have an iPhone 3GS. I sync podcasts to the device with no issue. Yet, when I listen to the podcasts and then sync back to my mac, the podcasts on the mac do not reflect that I have listened to them and/or will lose the audio position as well. It happens seemingly at random. Some times I sync and it remembers all of the positions, sometimes none. It never remembers some of the positions; it's an all or nothing scenario.

I'm guessing it's a bug.

Mar 17, 2010 4:48 PM in response to gordon mcdowell

There is a work around but you need another audiobook for this to work. When you are done playing your audiobook pause the player. Select the other audiobook and start playing. Let it play for about 5 seconds or so. You can then pause it or quit the ipod.

Now if loses it's place it loses the second audiobooks place but not the one you are really listening too. This is kinda a pain but it has kept me from having to remember where I left off!

Hope this helps!

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Audiobook losing last listening position

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