Memories App: 5 minute Limit in Audio is Limiting

Dan Dotson

Hello-

I frequently visit with my dad, or other elderly family members. Often they will start telling a story. I whip out my iPhone and start recording them with the Memories App. The audio recording has a built in 5 minute limit. EVERY SINGLE TIME, I hit that 5 minute limit just at the apex of their story. Is there a better way to implement a limit? I wish I had a button that would give me 1 more minute on the recording. I know I can start a new recording, but I am forced to name the recording before the new one starts, so I miss crucial audio. And asking the story-teller to stop and wait for me causes them to lose track of where they were and kills the spirit of their story. Need a button like my microwave: Add 1 Minute.

Julia Szent-Györgyi

I don't do apps (I failed Phone), but I'm sure your device has an audio recording function. Use that to record the stories in their entirety, and then upload them to FS (edited down to or broken into five-minute chunks if needed).

Dan Dotson

I get there are work-arounds, but that kills spontaneity. I rarely sit down and interview someone. It's always someone suddenly telling a story that needs to be recorded. Thus being able to quickly record it and attach it is going to be the best user experience.

Dennis J Yancey

I use a standalone digital audio recorder

such as ones similar to these

https://www.walmart.com/search?q=audio+recorder

that leaves me in total control of starts and stops.

however with any general audio recorder - you will quickly notice that in not too long you end up with a file that is bigger than the 15MB size limit of FS.

but that 15MB sized limit can be worked around using various techniques - such as high compression and / or file splitting

check out my summary of audio recording here:

https://yanceyfamilygenealogy.org/audio-recording.htm

Dennis J Yancey

but yes - I think there are various tweaks that could be made to the audio recorder - such as longer recording time, better data compression to keep file size down, and maybe a few more bells and whistles.

but knowing FS history . . . dont hold your breath,