Mobile Ministry Magazine

I'm writing this on the day the Apple iPad was announced. Meaning that I've probably come back to this post a few times to clarify and to rethink sections - and at the same time, it might just stay very raw.

First off, a blanket opinion - this is a device purely for affluent audiences. Its not addressing a need to anyone except those who've already got mobile solutions, and the wallets to enable them. That's not to say its a bad thing. In light of my first thoughts to any device or service - does it meet a need or a want - its clearly something in the want category for many, and therefore illusions about what it would enable have to be filtered accordingly.*

That being said, its a good idea, and one that has been talked about here before. The tablet does present itself as an interesting, albeit more content-laden solution for those who would like a reader-style device, but would like some measure of productivity with it. The included iWork and iTunes suites make sense here, especially since its meant to consume and lightly annotate, content. The need for adapters hearkens back to the age of PDAs and accessories as the driver for specialized needs - this could have been handled better, but Apple is making a play for a broad range of profit generation here.

I mentioned to one person that this would be a great device for preachers (being semantically specific with the term here). Paired with a wireless network, the preacher would essentially have the slides, notes, text, and ability to control what is on-screen right in front of them. Yes, this can be done with any PDA/smartphone/netbook/laptop (and as been) - the form factor of a slate/tablet device works well here. And the size is nearly that of an A4 envelope which keeps it mobile for preachers who move much.

The other neat audience is of course education. And while Apple specifically spoke towards this area in its announcement, the price is a big bite. A student in the market would have to choose the tablet, and the dock-keyboard accessory in order to make this work. That says nothing for the lack of an expansion card to backup papers/content (hello online services). The prepaid aspect works very well here as an incentive towards working in order to be connected - though WiFi use would most likely reign in this setting.

Thinking from my own point of view: well, I use a smartphone. My N97 plugs into my TV (w/Apple Wireless keyboard) for major tasks at home. On the road, I plug it into projectors for presentations (hint, hint), write a few articles, listen to music, etc. In other words, aside from the larger screen - which would be helpful for the amount of books I read - its not worth the cost to me as I'd need to purchase several accessories in order to meet the basic functionality (and I lose the voice calling aspect). Its a nice device, and similar to many. I would have preferred to see an interface like the Mag+ Concept or 10/GUI Concept, or further ahead like the hardware+interface of the Microsoft Courier Concept. The iPad isn't far enough in the user interface design to significantly enhance/change how I do computing. It may be different for others, and I'd love to hear how as that perspective is needed.

I am looking forward to seeing what Bible publishers will do with iPhone apps that use the larger user interface. Ideally, they would not just copy what a 3.5in screen is doing on this 9.7in one. It would be good to see some richer interactions with content, as well as finger-based interactions that are physically not as efficient on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

But, that's just my thoughts on things. What about you? What are your thoughts? Is it going to be a purchase for you or a friend/family member. What areas do you see as great, and what needs work? And lastly, how did you manage covetousness before/during/after the announcement?

Labels: Apple, internet tablet, iPad, iPhone, tablet PC

Remember that post (a long time ago) where we warned you about the ethical aspects of jailbreaking your iPhone devices as a Christian? Well, Apple has (another) official statement on it:

...Apple strongly cautions against installing any software that hacks the iPhone OS. It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iPhone OS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software.

Read the rest of the support article, and remember that agreeing to your terms of service is a vow you make between you, the carrier, and Apple. Breaking a vow tends to not look so well in the eyes of God and man.

If you don't like the restriction, get to know what an unlocked phone is, and change the way you do mobile.

Labels: Apple, iPhone, mobile, stewardship, tech

This past weekend, I spent a lot of time in PA reconnecting with friends and family. I got to see that "beautiful" God-daughter of mine, but more importantly, I got a chance to reconnect with a mentor that I had not seen in some time. We (along with my best friend) walked around the neighborhood where we used to do some urban ministry work and remarked on the many changes and similarities these days. The effect of serving God is not lost on those people who remember you, but may not have changed their lives towards Him.

Nevertheless, it was a great time. And another one of those moments where I could reboot and see life as it was and where I need to move next. One of those things happened to be with the Kindle. A minister friend of mine and I got together for lunch yesterday and we talked a good bit about tech and how just using it puts us in a position where we can enable people to see Christ clearer when we take up that mantle of just using it.

For this minister, he has an iPhone, Kindle, MacBook, and several other tools that he uses - all in an attempt to better deliver the Word and live this Christian life with people in his community. What struck me as he spoke though is that responsibility that he took towards making sure that he knew the tool, and that he made sure that it would not rule him. In this, he was not only allowing tech to be a tool for ministry, but himself ministering to the tech an appropriate usage pattern that can be modeled to others around him.

Hopefully, I'll get a post or two from him towards some of the challenges and successes that he has. I'm really angling for that "preaching from a Kindle" piece. I think there's value in seeing how others are using this tech - whether it fits our usage modes or not. It makes for a sticky point where we can look back and say whether we were effective or not in preaching/living the Gospel in that season. For those things that we remember, the effect of Christ on all things should be easily seen and endure in our hearts and minds.

Labels: Apple, community, iPhone, Kindle, tech

Caught this news a few days ago, Laridian Bible Software has released four new titles:

• AMG Concise Introduction to the Bible
• AMG Concise Bible Doctrine
• AMG's Encyclopedia of Bible Fact
• Reese Chronological Encyclopedia of Christian Biographies

Resources such as these can come in handy in the mist of discussions or smaller Bible studies. For more information and to purchase and download for your mobile device, visit the Laridian Bible Software website.

Labels: Apple, commentary, encyclopedia, iPhone, Laridian, Palm, software, Windows Moible

CrossComm, Inc. has released Bible Touch for the iPhone/iPod Touch. Bible Touch is basically a single edition Bible application in which the ability to read the Scriptures is not limited to needing an online connection.

Bible Touch is available in four editions: Bible Touch NASB, Bible Touch ESV, and Bible Touch LBLA and Bible Touch NBLH offer the La Biblia de las Américas, and Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy Spanish text translations.

Bible Touch is available as a download from the iTunes App Store for $9.99 USD per edition. For more information and to download, visit the Bible Touch website.

Labels: Apple, Bible Touch, iPhone, iPod Touch, software, wireless application

Ok, so it doesn't exactly fit into the pocket so easily, but Logos Bible Software for Mac is now released, and for those with the smaller Apple models, this is indeed a mobile Bible solution worth looking at.

These are the base packages for the Logos Mac product:

• Bible Study Library for Mac
• Leader's Library for Mac
• Scholar's Library for Mac
• Scholar's Library: Silver for Mac
• Scholar's Library: Gold for Mac

According to the blog posting, "current Logos users who want to crossgrade and move their existing Logos Bible Software digital library over to our new Mac software can purchase the Logos Bible Software for Mac engine for only $59.95."

There's also a promo where if you spend $250 at logos.com or over the phone in a single order during November, they'll send you the Mac engine for free as soon as it’s ready.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. For more information and to see a demo, check out the new Logos Bible Software for Mac at the Logos website.

Labels: Apple, Bible, Logos, software

While its great to talk about recently announced products, its always better to get some impressions of actual use. And since I don't have an iPhone, hearing about how others are using Olive Tree's Bible Reader for iPhone will definitely have to do. Here is a snippet from a review at This Lamp

...Regardless of these early snags, Olive Tree’s venture into the iPhone platform looks very promising. I am hopeful I can eventually reproduce the same functionality with Bible texts on my iPhone that I had previously experienced on my Treo. Since useful iPhone Bible functionality is something I am genuinely seeking, expect to see more on This Lamp about the subject as new developments arise.

Read the rest of this very through review at This Lamp.

Thanks for the headsup on this one DB, The Foolish Galatian.

Labels: Apple, Bible, community, iPhone, iPod Touch, Olivetree, reading, resources, software

Hopefully, you all aren't too tired about this subject. There is certainely room for improvement with Bible applications, and this makes for a great forum to discuss how they can be enhanced and improved.

With the introduction of the iPhone, Apple also announced a service called MobileMe. Much like Microsoft Exchange is in the workplace, MobileMe allows users to sync and use information such as email, calendar, and contacts, across several devices. My interest in MobileMe though is what it was made from and how that speaks to another way of thinkning about mobile web applications.

MobileMe uses a JavaScript framework (skeleton) called SproutCore. Now while the framework in and of itself is ok, the fact that it is so powerful makes it possible to explore desktop-like functionality on a web application. This would mean that folks like Laridian (iPhoneBible), eBible, and YouVersion can do more than just make a mobile Bible application, they could also make one that leverages the browser's inbuilt ability to be a Bible reader across several types of devices.

Of course, I've been panned a good bit recently with an article that was publised at Brighthand last week stating that Apple made a mistake in backing off of the idea of just doing web-based applications. A framework like SproutCore, in addition to browsers supporting offline functionality, makes the idea of web-applications that can be used online and offline more of a possiblity and less of an exception.

For example, you already have a group like the SWORD Project that already utilizes some open source development. Adding something like SproutCore to it, along with some offline ability (Google Gears or an advanced browser) would really make getting into the Word easy and a piece of cake.

Considering the range of this particular discussion, I'd like to hear some of what you all think. Because not every mobile device has a browser, let alone a good one. And not every user feels comfortable with applications that constantly talk to a server - though that is what every web page does, go figure. What can the Body look at in this area in terms of a solution towards not just making yet another iPhone or mobile site but something that really does blurr the line between web and offline in a way that makes us all better for it?

Labels: Apple, Bible, browser, JavaScript, MobileMe, offline browser, software, web application

I unintentionally tend to sit on some news stories. Hoping to speak about some things when there is an open slot or the chatter on the interwebs isn't so loud about it that it would get lost in the shuffle; some things just get pushed to the back a bit. Here's some of those items that aren't too flaccid in terms of timing, but definitely useful for various applications.

• Logos post address Spanish-oriented resources.
• The latest GMPSoft newsletter has several deals on various electronic resources for your PDA or smartphone including a Bible Bundle which includes the Greek UBS4 module.
• Something to make you think on how to approach little ones with the subject of hearing God and prayer even when its something that the Bible may/may not talk about ;)
• Palm Addict has a random giveaway of a 15 inch Mac PowerBook going on right now. The rules are to send in a post relevant to how you are using mobile tech. If not something that you need, definitely enter for someone in your circle who could use a computer but may not have the means to attain one.
• Swerve, a ministry of Lifechurch.tv, has two post titled 10 Things.... The first deals with Introspection and the second Ministry. Hands down, a very solid read and meditation piece for the weekend.
• And finally, the Carnival of the Mobilists at Mobilestance has plenty of readings from the past week in mobile tech.
• Forgot this one: YouVersion has done some updates that have improved performance and added a few new versions to the fray. Unless you are on an Internet Tablet like me, it really should work very well in connected settings as both a journaling and group Bible study tool.

Don't forget that we published MMM Issue 5 earlier this week. Several articles and insights there as well for your own mental scratchpad.

Labels: accessiblity, Apple, Bible, Carnival of the Mobilists, community, devotion, family, issue 5, mobile accessories, mobility, Spanish, stewardship, study, tech, worship

In giving tech, I've always tried to maintain a standard where I would only give to a person that has need, and to a situation where the person can take advantage of the item with as little negative disruption as possible. For that reason, I find it fun to give away devices that I no longer use. For one, it keeps my gadget closet pretty empty, but also provides a means for someone else to gain accessiblity that I've enjoyed. For example, my recent move to the N75 left my Treo 680 without a user. I ended up giving it to an entreprenur in Charlotte who had been struggling with having a working calendar and phone solution for her endavors.

Two people in the blogsphere also seem to carry this mantra of gifting are Sammy McLoughlin and Tim Samoff. Sammy McLoughlin runs the website Palm Addict is is quite frequent in giving away devices that he no longer uses in frequent give-aways. From smartphones to laptops to memory cards to mobile accessories. He's got a ton of things that come across his desk, and does an excellent job in making sure that others are empowered towards not just using their devices, but talking about how they use it so that a community of users can benefit. The current giveaway is of a 15in Apple Powerbook. Considering all the folks I know who like Apple, I'm sure that he will get a lot of solid feedback towards mobililty for this one.

Tim Samoff is another who's recently jumped into the giving game. Tim recently received a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet from the good folks at Maemo (the Internet Tablet developement folks). The thing is, he already has an N810 and so has decided to donate it to a deserving software developer. Tim's asking for comments at his blog and the Internet Tablet Talk website towards whom might be the deserving receipient.

Its really neat to be associated with people who understand that technology means more when you can give it to someone who'll do something really cool with it. That's one of the reasons for doing MMM on my end, and its good to know that those gifts become gifts all around.

Labels: Apple, community, gifts, internet tablet, N800

My bro had pointed me to the Logos blog and a post where they are speaking on an upcoming version of Logos for the Mac. From a usability and user experience aspect, it looks just great and really looks that it will make studying on the desktop a bit easier for those that prefer to do studies electronically.

This got me thinking (again) about using electronic devices for study, and what really is effective about it. For example, one can have a lot of resources at their disposal, but unless used correctly, you will not get much good out of it.

In looking at the Internet Tablet and how I want to use it for reading and study, I've settled on only wanting two Bible versions: one for casual reading (the ESV) and another for more indepth studies and discussions (the NET Bible). Because of the connected nature of the IT, anything else that I'd need would be accessible though websites such as CARM, eBible, YouVersion, etc.

I'd like to be in the position of studying effectively more often than not. Using a few materials as a gateway that have solid user interfaces and resources makes that possible. After that its just a matter of using it. I'd like to get to the point of linking within my notes to verses, bookmarking/tagging sections of the Bible for easy retrieval, and then effective search capabilities that go beyond just looking for a verse - but all the tags, bookmarks, and verses that correspond to the search term. Its my hope that such will enhance and make reading more like there being a slew of offline documents right in front of me.

Lately also, I've been looking into the resources at the Sword Project website. Besides being open and mostly free; the development there is just on the content, not on an application in particular. This means that instead of worrying about whether I will be able to use the content again, I can just concentrate on reading (on most devices) and go from there. Notes, tags, and bookmarks are another story, but that'll come.

If I can get Rapier installed on my tablet, I'm pretty sure that I can get there. But with products like OliveTree, Laridian, Logos, Wordsearch, and others, its pretty cool to know that there's some means to use electronic resources effectively. Its just a matter of studying on the tools and methods that would work best.

Labels: Apple, Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Laridian, Logos, Olivetree, software, Sword Project, WordSearch

Was at Mobile Read a bit ago and they have an interesting (lively) discussion going on speaking on a quote from Steve Jobs (via the NYT) where he says:

It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore," he said. "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don't read anymore.

Jobs was speaking on the Amazon Kindle eBook reader and its goal of being the "iPod of books." But the comment does bring to light something that many of us in tech have to assess often?

Does using electronic reading devices (eBook, laptop, PDA, smartphone, etc.) help or hinder your Bible reading?

Labels: Apple, Bible, community, reading

This is what happens when I should not be peeking in on news from the Apple releases today...

Anyways, more than most things techie, music has been one that is mobile in both how we carry it and how it moves us in various capacities. Simply speaking, if music doesn't move you, then its not worth listening to.

So you can imagine a bit of a surprise when looking at the Apple front page seeing a news post about Gospel great Andre Crouch and Apple's Logic Pro software. It even goes as far as talking about how he is using it to teach:

Crouch is a preacher, and preachers love to teach. In the section of the church that he transformed into a studio/theater, Crouch plans to teach kids about music making and recording. And when they've learned enough, they'll get to perform and record in the space. "Most of these kids have never been to a professional studio," says Crouch. "We're going to teach these kids to run Logic and all this gear. They're going to record their own tracks and learn how the pros work. It's going to be great because we have some brilliant kids who already know computers like the backs of their hands and they want to make music, but they haven't put the two together."

Now, don't think me a musician by any means. I cannot play anything except air instruments. But to take technology that he knows and then put it in a position to extend the exisiting knowledge of youth is pretty encouraging to me.

I've always seen MMM as leading into that for myself at some point down the line. I've seen how others who have been in various web-based ministries have also gotten the chance, or soon will, to extend what they have been doing online and [if you will] make disciples through the teaching of the Spirit-led uses of talents and abilities. To me, that seems a great way to share and live the Gospel; even if it does mean an Apple is taken here or there.

Labels: Apple, community, gospel