New High-Tech Hand-Held Audio Bible Device Will Help Get You Into God's Word
by Michael Ireland
May 16, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA (ANS) -- I have always wanted to read through the whole Bible in one year, but have never had the spiritual fortitude nor the consistency of will to keep that New Year's resolution or get it done. Christians like myself wanting to improve their devotional lives in the New Year just got a helping hand in keeping that familiar holiday resolution thanks to a new device -- The Original GoBible -- a powerful new audio Bible which made its debut at Christmas.
Now, the GoBible, which is much like an Ipod or MP3 player loaded with unique Biblical features, will help keep myself and others in the same situation on track. This new device will modernize how people study God's word.
According to a media release, each year almost one million compact disks and cassette tape sets of the Bible are sold. They typically retail for about $100 and include anywhere from 62 CD's or 48 cassettes. Retailing at less than $100, almost everyone can afford to upgrade to the Original GoBible.
"The Original Go Bible is different than any other audio Bible on the market today," said Andrew Block, founder and president of GoBible, LLC.
"First, The Go Bible incorporates patent-pending technology giving consumers, for the first time, the ability to search the entire Bible in audio format and select passages at the verse level. The Go Bible is also the only pre-loaded dedicated audio device that contains a 'Hear-In-A-Year' program and 'Topic Index' feature which we believe can help resolutions makers keep their goals for 2007."
"By using The Original Go Bible's Topic Index feature, users can scroll through roughly 30 circumstances and emotions such as stress, patience, friendship, forgiveness, etc. -- and select a topic to hear several verses that correlate to their particular resolution," said Andrew Block. "Hearing what the Bible has to say about a subject may actually help people set and keep their resolutions."
Another exciting Go Bible feature is aimed at people who resolve to go through the entire Bible in a year. Many find that goal to be overwhelming and even frustrating at times. As a solution, under its "Special Features" menu, The Original GoBible provides a user-friendly "Hear-in-a-Year" program which organizes passages into 12 to 15 minute daily segments, and navigates the user through the entire Bible in 365 days.
A Press Release obtained by ANS says that statistics indicate an estimated 40 to 45 percent of American adults make one or more resolutions annually; but, less than half keep those resolutions beyond six months.
And a survey (1) released last year from Goalfree.com/Opinion Research Corp. reported that the top resolutions for 2006 were related to self improvement (47 percent), weight (38 percent) money (34 percent), and relationships (31 percent).
"We've compressed more than 70 hours of audio onto a very small chip," said Andrew Block. "This has never been done before, nor has an audio version of the Bible been available that allows users to search and begin play at the verse level. We believe the Original GoBible represents a major breakthrough in the space of religion and technology."
The Original GoBible also comes equipped with a "Story Index," which is an easy-to access list of more than 200 of the most popular Bible stories. Users can choose between Old or New Testament stories and the Original GoBible will play that story from beginning to end. The "Story Index" would not be possible without the Original GoBible being indexed to the verse level since many popular Bible stories begin and end at the verse level. The GoBible is cut and indexed to the verse level so the user may search for and begin play at any one of the more than 31,000 verses in the Bible. It is indexed to over 35,000 different points - something that has never been done before.
The small hand-held device weighs about as much as the AAA battery that powers it and is available in the New King James Version or the King James Version, and is voiced by two legends of narration, award-winning narrator Stephen Johnston known for PBS documentaries and the late, legendary, Alexander Scourby, the "voice of the Bible."
The Original GoBible is the only hand-held device on the market that contains the entire audio version of the Bible pre-loaded and has an interactive screen that allows the user to scroll though the Old and New Testaments and search and listen by book, chapter or verse.
Lastly, the Original GoBible can support 24 bookmarks so the user can save special passages or hold their place until the next time they listen. The timing of the device's backlight can be adjusted and the Original GoBible is powered by just one AAA battery. It is lightweight and small enough to fit your pocket or purse. It is user-friendly with a large, easy-to-read screen. There are no downloads or software needed - all you need is contained in the unit which will fit in the palm of your hand.
Producers of the Original GoBible say it is aimed at being a supplement to, as opposed to taking the place of, regular Bible reading and can be used while driving, at the gym, on the mission field, or at home as a tool for Bible study. People who experience headaches due to reading on planes and in cars can benefit from using the Original GoBible. It can also help those with impaired eyesight experience the Scriptures. The GoBible is also for busy people who want to plug into God's word without having to unplug from life. It is also designed for those who have not yet plunged into the world of hand-held audio gadgets.
The Original GoBible retails for $99.95 and is available at www.gobible.com or 1-866-GOBIBLE. GoBible offers an accessory kit for listening in the car though the FM stereo, and a speaker set ideal for group settings such as Bible studies. Sold separately, the car kit is $19.95 and speakers are $14.95.
Founded by Andrew S. Block, GoBible, LLC, is a new media and consumer products company that focuses on religion while utilizing the latest in technology. While servicing more than 200 million Christians domestically, GoBible eventually plans to reach the international religious market through providing multilingual products.
"I think the Bible can provide insight and encouragement to reaching any New Year's Resolution people may have," said Block. "My resolution is to simply help more people become 'hearers' of the Word.'"
On a personal note, I am among those who always say they will attempt to read the Bible in a year, but often get bogged down in Deuteronomy or Leviticus. Now I have the help I need by hearing the word of God through the 'ear-gate' and will be encouraged to read the Bible through the 'eye-gate.'
The device has prompted me to grab my Bible off the shelf when a passage catches my attention. I intend to use my new GoBible as an adjunct to reading the Bible, with the Scriptures in one hand and the audio device in the other. I hope to listen to and read Scripture at the same time! Since plugging into the GoBible, I have heard well-known passages of the Bible afresh and some obscure verses have captured my attention as never before.
If I had to mention one drawback I found with the GoBible it is that, having grown up with lots of problems with my ears, I found the earbuds -- so popular among the younger generation -- were for me a little uncomfortable to wear. I just replaced them with a set of regular headphones and that solved my problem. Otherwise, the device is simple and easy to use -- I even figured out how to work the buttons without reading the instructions!
The Bible says: "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
Perhaps this year, with the help of my new GoBible, I will keep my New Year's resolution and actually complete reading the Bible through in 365 days! I am looking forward to hearing the Scriptures all year long in addition to seeing the Word of God on the printed page. And even if I fail to keep up my reading schedule, I will have the GoBible available to help me get into God's Word.
It will also be interesting to see the New International Version and Eugene Peterson's "The Message" featured on future versions of the GoBible.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
