JW Bible Publications is a skill (published on the Amazon Alexa store) that provides a voice interface to access and reproduce freely available media in the public areas of the site of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The idea for this skill stemmed primarily from a desire to assist those who have a visual impairment and might not be able to navigate the website easily.
However, it is also very enjoyable to listen to content, such as original music, while working around the house or while driving.
The main phrase for activating the skill is: “bible publications“.
Therefore, to start it, just say Alexa, open bible publications and then request the content to be reproduced.
It is possible to play both audio and video media. For video content you must have an Echo Spot or Show device for display playback.
What can be reproduced with JW Bible Publications?
Below are some practical examples. The expressions in brackets (round) are examples of mandatory wordings while the expressions in brackets [square] are examples of optional wordings.
:: Bible:
Alexa, ask bible publications, bible (acts) chapter (4) [up to (8)]Alexa, ask bible publications, introduction to (matthew)
:: Glossary:
Alexa, ask bible publications, glossary (resurrection)
:: Weekly Bible Reading:
Alexa, ask bible publications, to play (last / this / next) week’s Bible reading
:: Daily Text:
Alexa, ask bible publications, daily text of (yesterday / today / tomorrow)
:: Life and Ministry meeting workbook:
Alexa, ask bible publications, to play (last / this / next) week's life and ministry meeting workbook [sample conversations]
:: Weekly Watchtower study article:
Alexa, ask bible publications, to play (last / this / next) week’s watchtower article
:: Awake!:
Alexa, ask bible publications, awake number (3) year (2019) article (1)
:: Brochures:
Alexa, ask bible publications, apply yourself to reading and teaching study lessons (3)
:: Books:
Alexa, ask bible publications, what can the Bible teach us chapter (5)Alexa, ask bible publications, lessons you can learn from the Bible chapter (15)Alexa, ask bible publications, pure worship of Jehovah restored at last chapter (4)
:: Music:
Alexa, ask bible publications, sing out joyfully to Jehovah number (60)Alexa, ask bible publications, sing out joyfully (2)Alexa, ask bible publications, instrumental (15)Alexa, ask bible publications, choral (10)
:: Multimedia (consult the complete list of multimedia commands in the appropriate section of the site):
Alexa, ask bible publications multimedia morning worshipAlexa, ask bible publications multimedia dramas [collection]Alexa, ask bible publications multimedia monthly programsAlexa, ask bible publications multimedia songs [collection]Alexa, ask bible publications multimedia annual meeting
:: Languages:
It is possible to change the language of the content to be reproduced. In this way you can control the skill with the default language (eg. Italian) and listen to the contents in a different language. The command to change the language of the contents is as follows:
Alexa, ask bible publications to setting playback in (italian / english / french / spanish / german etc...) language
:: Automatic custom playlist:
JW Bible Publications is able to automatically create a personalized playlist of the various contents reproduced by the user and track (with bookmarks) the interruptions of the contents to resume them later. Through standard playback controls (such as “Next”, “Previous”, “Pause”, “Resume” or “Start over”) you can browse the playlist while playing a content. The playlist cyclically stores up to 10 media links.
It is possible to manage the playlist using the following commands:
Alexa, ask bible publications, (status / list / delete / play index (n) / latest content) playlist
:: Content notifications via Telegram bot:
With JW Bible Publications it is possible to receive additional information for the requested content through notification messages on Telegram. By connecting the skill to the Telegram JW Bible Publications – Alexa Skill bot, you will receive, on your mobile device, all information regarding the content requested and access to additional electronic formats (directly downloadable from site of Jehovah’s Witnesses) of the same publication. This mode is particularly useful when you are not using an Echo Show device, therefore with a screen. In fact, through the notifications, it will be possible to view the content of the request, consult additional material related to the publication in reproduction or have the publication itself in an alternative electronic format (e.g. if you are reproducing a study article from the Watchtower, the notification it will also include the direct link to download the publication in PDF format both in the normal and in large fonts).