Bible App

[HarryT]

My only observation about OT is that it's pretty arbitrary what products are available for what platforms. In the past, I've bought some pretty expensive add-ons for the Windows Mobile version of their software, which isn't usable on the iPhone or iPad versions of it. Some of it I can use - eg the NRSV and ESV, but I can't use the (pretty expensive) Greek NT I bought for Windows Mobile.

That's not a complaint - obviously OT didn't promise that I would be able to use the Greek NT on platforms other than Windows Mobile - but it is something to consider when buying commercial "add ones" from OT.

The only other thing I'd note about OT is that their products are very much "evangelical" in nature. I study the bible as a work of ancient literature, rather than for religious purposes, and I'd love to see some of the more "literary-oriented" works available for it, such as the Oxford Bible Commentary. Unfortunately, such works are currently not available.

[pphilipp]

Originally Posted by rapidblue

I've been using YouVersion's app for a while and am real happy with it

Okay, update me about YouVersion. I hadn't heard of it before but now I've gone to their website. It leaves me a little confused.

Is this an application which allows you to use the Bible... even if you have no connection to their website? In other words, do all the bibles reside on your device and are independent from host site?

[The Old Man]

I like the Touch Bible Loaded ($4). There is a free version to try.

[rapidblue]

Originally Posted by pphilipp

Okay, update me about YouVersion. I hadn't heard of it before but now I've gone to their website. It leaves me a little confused.

Is this an application which allows you to use the Bible... even if you have no connection to their website? In other words, do all the bibles reside on your device and are independent from host site?

They allow you to download some translations (for offline viewing) and some not. A list can be found on their iTunes page here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706?mt=8

[pphilipp]

Just bought an ipad.
Laridian's Pocketbible is simply incredible!

I can honestly say that in my 24 years of using computer Bible software, the combination of the ipad and Pocketbible are the best experience I've had.

[Love.Forever.]

I'm using the YouVersion Bible app as well and it seems to work really well. You can change between different version of the Bible which I think is very interesting and it comes in different languages as well.

[KarenAZ]

I also use the YouVersion. I have 2 different Bible apps and this is the one I use the most. I have bookmarked passages I use a lot when I do presentations at workshops. Once I put this on (March, 2010), I haven't touched my hard copy Bible!

[pphilipp]

I've had my iPad long enough now to test and make some suggestions on Bible apps.

I've narrowed it down to three apps. Since they initially don't cost anything, it's feasible and worthwhile to keep all three on the iPad. Each one has it's strength and is worth keeping just for it's positive point. Here's what I'm using...

(1) YouVersion.
This is a great basic app. It's for when all you want to do is read the bible. It's not the best study bible for doing in-depth studies. It has two strengths to it... you can read the NIV version of the bible for free, almost all other apps charge for the NIV. This is also by far the easiest app to copy any verse and save; email; or send directly to Facebook or Twitter. Apparently, there's no difference between the iPad and the Android versions of this app.

(2) Olive Tree Bible.
With this one you get much more capability for studying the Bible in-depth. You can load commentaries, dictionaries, concordances, etc. It allows up to two windows for viewing more than one study material. It's unique strength is that it actually has pop-up windows which makes study even easier. There is a difference between the iPad and the Android versions of this app... the one for the iPad is much, much better than OliveTree's Android version.

(3) Laridian PocketBible.
This is the muscle app of the bunch. It's for the person who's really doing lot's of in-depth study. It actually allows up to five window panes!! This means you can have a couple Bible versions, commentaries, dictionaries, strongs numbers, or anything else... all opened and viewable on your screen at the same time. If you're a pastor or Bible student, this one has no equal. This app is only available for the iPad with no Android equivalent at this time.

I believe these three Bible apps can meet the requirement of almost any person's needs, whether you want the basic, intermediate, or advanced app for your own personal Bible reading and/or study.

[The Old Man]

I haven't been able to get the Strong's Numbers to show in the NASB of the Laridian PocketBible. Wrote Laridian but so far no response. What am I doing wrong?

[pphilipp]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

I haven't been able to get the Strong's Numbers to show in the NASB of the Laridian PocketBible. Wrote Laridian but so far no response. What am I doing wrong?

I also have the NASB w Strongs.
You must make sure you've downloaded all three books (bible, Hebrew, and Greek) and be sure you've downloaded the bible version that supports strongs... there is a nasb that doesn't include strongs.

Once you open the bible, if Strongs numbers aren't showing, press and hold your finger anywhere in the text... This pops up the floating menu that allows you to copy text, etc. Scroll down and you will see the word Strongs. Select it. Now the numbers should show within the bible verses as blue links. As you view the Greek or Hebrew, be sure to use the back button to return to verse.

[drofgnal]

I also like the olive tree reader. I couldn't get a decent NRSV Bible from amazon, so I got one with olive tree.

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by pphilipp

I also have the NASB w Strongs.
You must make sure you've downloaded all three books (bible, Hebrew, and Greek) and be sure you've downloaded the bible version that supports strongs... there is a nasb that doesn't include strongs.

Once you open the bible, if Strongs numbers aren't showing, press and hold your finger anywhere in the text... This pops up the floating menu that allows you to copy text, etc. Scroll down and you will see the word Strongs. Select it. Now the numbers should show within the bible verses as blue links. As you view the Greek or Hebrew, be sure to use the back button to return to verse.

Thanks for the help. I was using the NASB and not the NASEC which has the numbers.
Still no response from Laridian.

[benham]

I have the Touch Bible KJV on my iTouch. I have used Olive Tree on the PC but didn't know there was an app for it. Thanks!

I downloaded the free version of Olive Tree and like the Touch Bible better. I have Olive Tree on my Palm and it has everything. You can choose your version, it has commentary and a daily reading plan and even has maps. Is this an app available for the iTouch. The one for the Palm is on an SD card.

[The Old Man]

Originally Posted by pphilipp

I've had my iPad long enough now to test and make some suggestions on Bible apps.

Laridian PocketBible.
This is the muscle app of the bunch. It's for the person who's really doing lot's of in-depth study. It actually allows up to five window panes!! This means you can have a couple Bible versions, commentaries, dictionaries, strongs numbers, or anything else... all opened and viewable on your screen at the same time. If you're a pastor or Bible student, this one has no equal. This app is only available for the iPad with no Android equivalent at this time.

I agree. After some familiarization this app is excellent! Adding a few extra Bibles, Commentaries, Dictionaries, etc. will add up the cost but for study it is unequaled.

Syncing between PC version and iPad is excellent. The PC version is $20 and not the best PC Bible program but it provides the ability to transfer study notes from e-Sword (or any program where notes can be copied) into PocketBible on the iPad.

One thing missing is the ability to add images to your notes on the iPad. Images can be added to the PC version but do not sync. Hopefully that will come in a future version.

Also Laridian sells a book-building program but it does not work with the iPad version.

[pphilipp]

Originally Posted by The Old Man

One thing missing is the ability to add images to your notes on the iPad. Images can be added to the PC version but do not sync. Hopefully that will come in a future version.

One other omission which is important to me, is that you can't copy text from a concordance or dictionary... Only from a Bible. A few minutes ago, Laridian's Craig Rairdin responded to my inquiry that they are working on implementing this feature. I quote from concordances often and look forward to being able to copy text again. This feature does operate on the PC and wince versions.