Check Out Our SMA News Today Multimedia Content
My name is Michael Morale. As director of multichannel content for Bionews Services, my job is to bring engaging multimedia content to all of our rare disease communities. I would like to introduce some of the resources available to our SMA News Today forum members, as well as those who visit other sections of the website.
Years ago, the only way to get the news was to watch TV, gossip, and read newspapers and magazines. However, the technology at our disposal now allows us to connect, share the news, and gain valuable information on topics that directly affect us on a more regular basis.
Take a gander at what we offer our SMA forum members and website visitors.
What are flash briefings?
Flash briefings are audio files available to anyone who owns an Amazon Echo device. Whether you have the original Amazon Echo or another device like the Echo Dot or Echo Show, you have the ability to listen to these audio files. You can also listen to flash briefings on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. We created these flash briefings to keep you informed of the latest news regarding different rare diseases.
Currently, our flash briefings are only available for SMA News Today, ALS News Today, and Pulmonary Fibrosis News. However, in the coming months, we will bring flash briefings to Cystic Fibrosis News Today, Friedreich’s Ataxia News, Muscular Dystrophy News, Multiple Sclerosis News Today, Parkinson’s Disease News, and Pulmonary Hypertension News.
To listen to these flash briefings, all you need to do is activate the skill on your Amazon Echo devices.
After following the link, click the yellow “Enable” button and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you’ve enabled a particular skill, you can give your Amazon Echo the following command: “Alexa, play my flash briefings.”
You can also listen to our SMA flash briefings on SoundCloud.
What are podcasts?
Podcasts are audio files uploaded to different multimedia channels, including SoundCloud, Spotify, and iTunes. Currently, podcasts are available only for the SMA forum, but we will bring podcasts to other forums in the coming months. These podcasts will include interviews with individuals affected by different rare diseases and will be a great source of news and information. Click here to access podcasts.
What are YouTube videos?
Did you know we produce our own YouTube videos? They might not have the glitz and glamour that some YouTube videos do, but they allow you to connect with the Bionews Services team on a more personal level. Our goal is to bring you monthly videos about a variety of rare diseases, along with news we think is relevant. YouTube videos are only available for our SMA forum, but our goal is to bring YouTube videos to all of our forums in the coming months.
Are these resources available on our websites?
Only the SMA, ALS, and PF websites offer multimedia products at this time. However, we plan to roll out multimedia products to the other websites between now and mid-2020. You can find the forum websites at:
- ALS News Today
- Cystic Fibrosis News Today
- Friedreich’s Ataxia News
- Muscular Dystrophy News
- Multiple Sclerosis News Today
- Parkinson’s News Today
- Pulmonary Fibrosis News
- Pulmonary Hypertension News
- SMA News Today
Want a shortcut to our content?
In the top right corner of the SMA website, there is a tab called “multimedia.” If you hover over that tab, you will be given the option to listen to our podcasts and flash briefings directly from our website, without being redirected to another site.
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Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
