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Friday, June 29, 2007

The Bible for Your iPhone

UPDATE (Feb 2007): A year after the iPhone's introduction, there are plenty of iPhone solutions for Bible reading and study. Here are a few:

I had intended to wait on this specific question until I was able to read something a bit more official from the various Bible software makers, but it's as good a time as any to talk about the Bible on your iPhone (or Foleo, or N800, or any device for that matter that you cannot save everything on, but have to utilize the Internet).

Image: Applie iPhone in box, via Engadget eBible is a possiblity
The first product/website that I thought of when the iPhone was announced that it would only support application written through the Safari web browser was eBible. Unlike other Bible websites and applications, eBible is a browser-based application that combines the ability to read various translations of the Bible, as well as a bookmarking and notes features. There is a premium edition to eBible that unlocks commentaries and other resources as well.

This is an excellent solution if you are in a place where a web connection is possible when you want to read. The major advantage of eBible is that you don't just have access to your notes and bookmarks on the mobile device, but through any web browser. Of course, if you do not have Wi-Fi or cellular-based wireless internet available, then you get no text.

Image: Nokia N800, via JKontheRun There's nothing else!!!
Yes, if you have an iPhone, you really do not have any other option. While other internet-enabled devices such as the N800 and Palm Foleo have the ability to have programs written for them that could take advantage of the devices' online/offline ability, to date only the N800 is an available product, and the Bible reader for it is not yet very usable for the casual user even though there is an installer to lighen the process of getting a reader installed (I prefer to use eBible and zbible.mobi on the N800 for the best experience).

The Hybrid Bible Solution
I spoke once before about applications that would have both online and offline components, and I think that the iPhone will help to usher that age of mobile applications in a bit easier. The harder question for these applications will come from the browser side for respective devices. Right now, there are just too many mobile devices that do not have the power or physical ability to have a browser that is as good as a desktop one. And though companies such as Nokia are having great success in making their smartphone platforms a bit more everywhere, the knowledge transfer of getting people to know that their devices do more than text and voice seems to be only something Apple has done well.

Addition: The folks at Laridian have been having a running conversation about MyBible on the iPhone and its possiblity or not of going to that platform. It brings up some interesting points spoken about here.

So yes, you can do the Bible on your iPhone. And if my guess is right, other software makers might look at the eBible solution and do something a bit more accessible to all devices, but similar nonetheless. I do think that the paradigm of how we use Bible readers on mobile devices needs to change if something like this would happen. Here's hoping that some developers out there take a chance and do something like the iPhone that is easy to use, and fits a need.

Labels: accessiblity, Bible, eBible, iPhone, mobile, N800

14 Comments:

At Sunday, September 16, 2007 2:45:00 AM, Craig said...: The initial release of iPocketBible from Laridian is available at www.ipocketbible.com. You should check it out.
At Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:18:00 AM, Anonymous said...: This looks like it might be promising:

http://bibleoniphone.co.uk/
At Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:22:00 AM, MMM said...: Anonymous; there's nothing yet here in terms of a product. I understand getting some pre-publicity of this out, but there should at least be a screenshot of what the application will look like.

Do come back and post, or send a message to MMM via the contact forum when you have something of substance so that we can share this with the entire community here.

Blessings.
At Tuesday, January 22, 2008 2:32:00 PM, Anonymous said...: thanks for the info. I'll try it out when it arrives and let you know :)
At Monday, February 25, 2008 10:38:00 AM, Craig said...: Saw your reference to this article over on Michael Mace's site. You really need to update it. eBible isn't optimized for iPhone, while www.iPocketBible.com is. I'm sure there are other Web-based Bible programs that are optimized for iPhone as well.
At Monday, February 25, 2008 10:40:00 AM, MMM said...: Thanks Craig; however I make no point in this piece that eBible is optimized for the iPhone, only that it is a possible solution.

I've been lax on adding other to this post, but will note iPocketBible momentarly.
At Monday, February 25, 2008 10:41:00 AM, MMM said...: Oh yea, Craig (et al) this post was made when the iPhone was announced. Most defintely before www.iPocketBible.com was certain to come.
At Friday, February 29, 2008 1:56:00 AM, Jokers said...: If you have the ability to add 3rd party apps to your iPhone you can install the Bible on your phone. I have it working on mine. Check out: www.iphoneebooks.googlecode.com. I'm using their Books program to open the file for the Bible that came from: www.polarbearfarm.com
At Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:23:00 PM, Downloadable iPhone Bible said...: iBiblez.com has a new downloadable iPhone Bible. It should hold people over until June.
At Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:08:00 AM, jon said...: Its been mentioned above but I've been developing a bible application for my ipod touch. Im planning on releasing it through iTunes in June. I've already created this using the official sdk so there is no need to unlock your device etc.. and its a full offline app too.

Here is my related site:
http://www.bibleoniphone.co.uk/

I've been creating this as I'd really like to use it myself, and Im happy to give it to others for free too.
At Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:18:00 PM, Anonymous said...: check out cpl... covenantpocketlibrary.com
At Wednesday, November 19, 2008 5:43:00 AM, Patrick F said...: Touch Bible, aka iBiblez, is now an actual app. Get it on iTunes and keep the bible with you always. More translations, search, bookmarks, neat navigation, and free!
At Saturday, February 07, 2009 1:54:00 AM, Kammyland Software said...: A new App that is a parallel bible (comparative) reader has been published for the iPhone in January of 2009. It is titled the "Even Word". It has scores of translations including the King James, Amplified, NIV, NLT (all together 20 English translations) and many more, including from over 40 languages and 70 translations. You can even send the developer suggestions for the future.

Plus at the moment its only $1.99 USD on iTunes.

Built by Kammyland Software, it can be purchased on iTunes at this link: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=297647948&mt=8

Or you can view the product's webpage at :
http://www.EvenWord.com

Cheers.
Kammyland Software
http://www.klandsoft.com
At Tuesday, March 03, 2009 6:14:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Another online iPhone Bible, with many translations at:
http://www.ibible.mobi