<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Alexa Smart Speaker (Beta 2021) | Bookshare</TITLE>
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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=4>thanks for this post Lori</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=njtechdiv@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:njtechdiv@nfbnet.org">Lori Falk via NJTechDiv</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, January 28, 2022 6:11 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=njtechdiv@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:njtechdiv@nfbnet.org">NFBNJ Tech</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=falkl@optonline.net
href="mailto:falkl@optonline.net">Lori Falk</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [NJTechDiv] Alexa Smart Speaker (Beta 2021) |
Bookshare</DIV></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr>Hi all,</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>FYI, in case you were not aware that Book Share has an Alexa
skill.</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>I checked it out and it does work.</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>You do have to link your account and log into your Book Share
account to approve access to Alexa. See instructions below.</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Lori</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><BR><BR>Begin forwarded message:<BR><BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
<DIV dir=ltr><B>From:</B> Lori Falk
<falkl@optonline.net><BR><B>Date:</B> January 28, 2022 at 2:11:01 PM
EST<BR><B>To:</B> Lori <falkl@optonline.net><BR><B>Subject:</B>
<B>Alexa
Smart Speaker (Beta 2021) | Bookshare</B><BR><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE type="cite">
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<DIV dir=ltr><BASE
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<DIV class=original-url><BR><A
href="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/help-center/alexa-smart-speaker-beta-2021">https://www.bookshare.org/cms/help-center/alexa-smart-speaker-beta-2021</A><BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV role=article id=article class="system exported"
style='FONT-SIZE: 1.2em; FONT-FAMILY: -apple-system-font; PADDING-BOTTOM:
0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5em;
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<DIV class=page style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<H1 class=title
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.5em; FONT-SIZE: 1.95em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%;
FONT-WEIGHT: bold; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; DISPLAY: block; LINE-HEIGHT:
1.21em">Alexa
Smart Speaker (Beta 2021)</H1>
<H2 class=subhead
style="FONT-SIZE: 1.46em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: ;
MARGIN-TOP: -0.35em; DISPLAY: block; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.27em">Welcome
to the Bookshare Reader for Amazon Alexa beta!</H2>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">We ask that you make note of your experience:
what
worked well and what didn't, what you enjoyed and what we could improve.
You
will receive a regular survey soliciting feedback throughout the beta
period.
Thank you in advance for your participation!</P>
<OL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><SPAN class=converted-anchor
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Set up the Bookshare skill</SPAN>
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><SPAN class=converted-anchor
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Prepare the book on Bookshare.org</SPAN>
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><SPAN class=converted-anchor
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Read with Alexa</SPAN></LI></OL>
<H2 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.43em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">1.
Setting
up the Beta Bookshare Skill</H2>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Installing the Beta skill on the Alexa
app</SPAN></H3>
<OL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">If you are new to using an Alexa enabled
device,
download and install the Alexa app onto your mobile device or computer
and
sign in with your Amazon account.
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Find the Bookshare Skill by searching for
Bookshare Reader within the Skills and Games section from the More tab
of
the Alexa App, on the Alexa Skills page on the Amazon website, or by
voice
command to your Alexa-enabled device.
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">In the Alexa App, open the Bookshare Reader
skill and select the <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Launch
button</STRONG>.</LI></OL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><IMG
title="Screenshot of the Alexa App menu showing where to add new Skills
and Games"
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0.5em auto; DISPLAY: block"
alt="Screenshot of the Alexa App menu showing where to add new Skills and
Games"
src="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_quarter/public/images/media/skills_and_games_page_2.jpg?itok=MPjbqhL2"
width=277 height=493 data-unique-identifier="" data-media-element="1"
data-fid="3953" data-delta="9"><IMG class=reader-image-tiny
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0px; DISPLAY: inline" src=""
data-unique-identifier=""><!--break--></P>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Linking
the
skill to your Bookshare account</H3>
<OL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Once the skill is enabled, click the
Settings
button, then <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Link Account</STRONG> to
link
the skill to your Bookshare account.
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">On the Bookshare.org page, enter your email
address and password associated with your Bookshare account, then click
the
<STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Sign In</STRONG> button.
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">When your credentials are verified, you will
be
directed to a confirmation page announcing that your account has been
successfully linked. Select the <STRONG
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Done</STRONG> button. This will return you to
the
Bookshare skill in the Alexa app.
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">You're now ready to start using the
Bookshare
skill on your smart speaker! Try saying, <STRONG
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa, open Bookshare"</STRONG></LI></OL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><IMG title="Screenshot of Bookshare login page"
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0.5em auto; DISPLAY: block"
alt="Screenshot of Bookshare login page"
src="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/images/media/credentials.png?itok=rt8CyUql"
width=764 height=480 data-unique-identifier="" data-media-element="1"
data-fid="3833" data-delta="3"></P>
<H2 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.43em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">2.
Getting
Audiobooks for Alexa to Read</H2>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">The Bookshare Reader skill creates and uses a
Reading List called "Amazon Alexa". By adding books to this reading list,
you
make them available for the Bookshare skill to find and read aloud.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">There are 2 ways to put audiobooks on the
Amazon
Alexa Reading List:</P>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Ask the skill to add a book that you've
recently
accessed on another device to the Amazon Alexa Reading List
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Go to Bookshare.org and add books to the
reading
list</LI></UL>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Get
books
from your history</H3>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">1. Launch the Bookshare skill by saying "Alexa
launch Bookshare".</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">The first time you use this skill, Alexa will
respond with "Welcome to Bookshare Reader. It looks like you don't have
any
audio books available to read. Go to the Bookshare website and add books
to
your Amazon Alexa Reading List or say <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Get
My
History</STRONG> to read from your recent</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">downloads."</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">2. Say "Get My History"</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Alexa will read you a list of books from your
recent downloads and ask which one you would like to add to the Alexa
Reading
List.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Note:</STRONG>
<I
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">If you do not have any books in your history, go
to
Bookshare.org on a web browser to add books to your list (see next
section.)</I></P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">3. Say the name of the book and she will
respond
“Okay, I’ve added [book title] to your reading list. Would you like to
read it
now?”</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">4. Say “yes” to begin reading.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">When the audiobook is ready, Alexa will say
“Okay,
let’s read” and the book will begin.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Note:</STRONG>
<I
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">The first time you access this book, it may take
several seconds for it to convert to audio. If the conversion will take
longer, Alexa will say “Sorry it looks like that book is being converted
to
audio and is not yet available. Please try again in a little bit. Would
you
like to read a different book or list your books?” You can choose another
book
or try back in 5 or 10 minutes.</I></P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">You can also remove books from your reading
list by
saying <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Remove [book title]"</STRONG></P>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Get
books
from Bookshare.org</H3>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">At this time, searching for new books is not
yet
available through the Bookshare skill, but you can add any book to the
Amazon
Alexa Reading List on Bookshare.org. These books will then be accessible
from
the Bookshare skill by saying “Alexa, list my books”.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">1. Login to your Bookshare account at <SPAN
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><A
style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; COLOR:
rgb(65,110,210)"
href="http://www.bookshare.org">www.bookshare.org</A></SPAN>.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">2. Use the <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH:
100%">search
bar</STRONG> or the <STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Browse button</STRONG>
in
the header region to find a book you want to read. (To find books you've
recently accessed, go to the My History link in the left navigation
region.)</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">3. In the Status column, click the <STRONG
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><SPAN style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Add to Reading
List</SPAN></STRONG> link and choose the Amazon Alexa Reading List.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><IMG
title="Screenshot of drop down menu with Amazon Alexa reading list
highlighted"
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0.5em auto; DISPLAY: block"
alt="Screenshot of drop down menu with Amazon Alexa reading list
highlighted"
src="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/images/media/screenshot_of_adding_a_book_to_amazon_alexa_reading_list.png?itok=DUo4bFa7&c=76d171e81741b163fc30a7082fa852a8"
width=1328 height=608 data-unique-identifier="" data-delta="1"></P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><STRONG style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Note:</STRONG>
<I
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Not all books in the Bookshare collection are
available in audio format, either because they are not well-formatted, are
too
large, or have too many images. It is a good idea to check in the Download
drop-down menu to make sure the book is available in audio format before
putting it on the Alexa list. If there are multiple copies of a book
provided
by different publishers, you might try a different version.</I></P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><I style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><IMG
title="Screenshot of download options with audio highlighted"
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0.5em auto; DISPLAY: block"
alt="Screenshot of download options with audio highlighted"
src="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/images/media/screenshot_of_download_options_with_audio_highlighted.png?itok=pUIlREMY"
width=1278 height=386 data-unique-identifier="" data-delta="2"></I></P>
<H2 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.43em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">3. Using
the
Bookshare skill with Alexa</H2>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Opening
a
book</H3>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">1. Ask Alexa to launch the Bookshare skill by
saying</P>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa, launch Bookshare", or
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa, open Bookshare"</LI></UL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><SPAN style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Alexa will
respond
with "Welcome to the Bookshare Reader skill for smart speakers. If she
doesn't
find any books on your Amazon Alexa Reading List, she will tell you to go
download them at Bookshare.org. See <SPAN class=converted-anchor
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Step 2</SPAN> for instructions.</SPAN></P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Note: Alexa doesn't always recognize
"Bookshare"
immediately as a skill. If she directs you to Audible, try invoking the
skill
again, perhaps speaking more slowly, or use the term "launch" instead of
"open". Also, you may want to make sure the language on the device is set
to
"US-English". Once she recognizes the skill, this should no longer be an
issue. Please note your experience in the feedback survey so we can
characterize it.</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">2. You can ask Alexa to read a book or list
your
books with the following commands. When she asks what you want to do,
say:</P>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Read a book"
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Read [book title]"
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"List my books"</LI></UL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">3. You can also ask Alexa how fast she will
read
and to change the speed. (Note: you will need to change the speed <I
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">before</I> starting the audio player. Once the
audio
player begins, you will need to stop reading to change the speed.) When
she
asks what you want to do, say:</P>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"What's the reading speed?" or "How fast are
you
reading?"
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Read faster"
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Read slower"
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Read at 125%" (Reading speeds range from
50% to
300%.)</LI></UL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Enjoy listening to your book!</P>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%"><IMG title="Hey Alexa, open Bookshare"
style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%; HEIGHT: auto; MARGIN: 0.5em auto; DISPLAY: block"
alt='Cartoon showing Alexa user saying "Hey Alexa, open Bookshare" to the
smart speaker.'
src="https://www.bookshare.org/cms/sites/default/files/styles/panopoly_image_original/public/images/media/hey_alexa_cartoon_michael.png?itok=5frkPJBp"
width=891 height=443 data-unique-identifier="" data-media-element="1"
data-fid="3838" data-delta="8"></P>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT:
bold">Navigating a
book</H3>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">There are only a handful of commands to
remember
for navigating a book.</P>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa pause" - stop reading
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa resume" - continue reading where you
left
off
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa skip" or "Alexa next" - skip to the
next
section
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa back" or "Alexa previous" - go back
to
the previous section
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa stop" - exit the Bookshare skill. To
reinvoke the skill, you will need to say "Alexa open
Bookshare"</LI></UL>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Note: a "section" is currently defined by the
html
formatting of the book. It might be a chapter or subchapter and could be
different depending on the book.</P>
<H3 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Forgot a
command? No problem - just ask Alexa!</H3>
<UL style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa help" - Alexa will offer you a
tutorial
or shortcuts
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa tutorial" - how to use the Bookshare
skill
<LI style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">"Alexa shortcuts" - list the reading
commands</LI></UL>
<H2 style="FONT-SIZE: 1.43em; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">We hope
you
enjoy your Bookshare skill experience!</H2>
<P style="MAX-WIDTH: 100%">Please remember to fill out the surveys we will
send you periodically. If you have any questions or experience more urgent
issues, please email us at: <A
style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline; MAX-WIDTH: 100%; COLOR:
rgb(65,110,210)"
href="mailto:smartspeaker@benetech.org">smartspeaker@benetech.org</A>.</P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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