Mobile Ministry Magazine

I don't want to fall behind too much in some of the current news as there is a slew of things going on these days that would be of interest to many of you looking at mobile devices, web services, and in general those things on tap for the side of tech called mobile.

• Evernote has left the beta stage and now has a few options for those looking for a solid note solution that can be done on several types of mobile devices, with and without inking/natural handwriting support. There's a free version as well as a pay version that offers a slew of options (via JK on the Run).
• An interview posted recently at the Adaptive Path Blog talks about an effort going on at Nokia called Homegrown where mobile devices are being looked at towards not only communication tools, but their impact on social and natural envrionments. Its a really impressive thing this group is doing, and speaks well towards a piece we posted earlier about sustaining the earth with our technology choices.
• The Nokia Internet Tablet has seen an update to the operating system for the N800 and N810 models. I'm still avidly using mine and despite some issues I run into, its still a genre changing kind of device. This latest update paves the way for several features and a new type of Internet Tablet device. Stay tuned here on that note.
• Nokia, Palm, and HTC have also introduced several new smartphones hitting all types of budgets.
  
  On Nokia's side, the E71, E66, and N78 all come in as nice lifestyle devices for business and entertainment use. Each of these also has GPS built-in. The N78 comes in a North American 3G compatable mode as well.
  
  Palm has introduced an unlocked Palm Centro - meaning that you can purchase it to be used on GSM carriers without needing a mobile plan to do so.
  
  And HTC has unveiled the HTC Diamond. A very impressive mobile device. Its a lot like the iPhone, a lot like nothing you've ever seen, and powerful as all get out. According to Palmsolo/Matt Miller, the HTC Diamond seems to really look and work nice with Laridian's PocketBible 4.
  
  Any of these mobiles would be suitable for engaging in a mobile lifestyle in my opinion. Do write in if you have had experience with any of these mobiles.
• Carnival of the Mobilists #129 is packed as usual.
• Logos Bible Software is doing a Show Us Your Work thing via their blog for those using Logos in notes, sermons, and other applications.

Pretty neat if you ask me. Tons out there on the mobile side of life just waiting to be applied in ways that are innovative and can speak towards meeting the needs of various communities around us if we use them as we are being Spirit-led.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists, Evernote, HTC, Laridian, Logos, mobiles, Nokia, Palm, sustainability

Ok, so that last post might have painted YouVersion's iPhone-friendly format in a bad eye, but the truth is that besides this and Laridian's iPocketBible, there really aren't more touchscreen-friendly Bibles for iPhone devices.

The iPhone version of YouVersion isn't live just yet. They have made a small preview of the iPhone version here.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, Laridian, software, YouVersion

A bit late on mentioning this, but it should still hopefully catch you in a good mood. Laridian has released PocketBible 4. This is a major update to the PocketBible franchise and includes several improvements in performance and user interface and a host of new features. Here's a rundown on what's new:

• Open multiple windows/books then maximize any window for full screen reading.
• Flick Gestures while Maximized
• Auto-Scroll Reading
• View a verse in all Bibles.
• Enhanced Searching (with last 20 searches saved)
• Customizable Toolbars
• Save/Restore Layouts
• Synchronize Notes, Bookmarks and Highlights with PocketBible for Windows (sold separately) /li>

In addition, there are a few news features for Windows Mobile 6 Standard (non-touchscreen) users such as the ability to view Commentaries, Dictionaries, Devotionals, and other titles; create and edit notes/highlighting; and synchronize Notes, Bookmarks and Highlights with PocketBible for Windows (sold separately).

How to Get PocketBible 4

Quoting this from the Laridian website:

PocketBible 3 owners can upgrade to PocketBible 4 for a limited time for only $7. Check your email for a special offer from Laridian. When placing your order enter the priority code from the email to receive 30% off PocketBible 4, plus 20% off of any additional Bibles or books you order at the same time.

PocketBible 4 is available via several bundles from Laridian. Since you need to have some Bibles and other resources in order to use it, this would a good thing to take advantage of. See this page for a list of Bibles and bundles for use with PocketBible 4.

PocketBible 4 Review

Ed Hansberry has been a popular user and reviewer for PocketBible in the past and has already done a full and detailed review of the new PocketBible 4 application. Here is a snippet:

...There are other nice features like the ability to save and restore preferred layouts if you have different screen layout preferences for reading versus studying, etc. The Find feature has also been beefed up a bit including a "NEAR" search term, allowing you to find two words within so many versus of each other. For example, if the Near setting is at 3, searching for Moses NEAR Aaron will yield 409 results. This new search parameter can be combined with the existing AND, OR, XOR and NOT to make some pretty complex searches. The NEAR term only works in bibles, not other books...

Read the rest of Ed Hansberry's PocketBible 4 Review.

There's Already Been An Update

And if that isn't enough, Laridian has already released an update to PocketBible 4. This update just fixes some issues with syncing highlights and restoring history from a previous session. More details on this update are stated on the Laridian Blog.

So...

We've already recommended Laridian's PocketBible software as a sold investment for your mobile reading needs. Just jump on over to Laridian's website and see for yourself. There's a trial version available, but I can say that many of you will be very convinced that it would be worth the purchase.

Labels: annotating, Bible, Laridian, mobile, reading, review, software, updates

Greetings all. I'm back from celebrating my birthday (Sat) and just having an enjoyable and very busy weekend connecting with friends and family. To get started with the week, I'd like to share some of the links that had been sitting in my RSS feed list this weekend that I am just getting to.

• Laridian has a PocketBible 4 for Pocket PC Preview posted on their blog. It looks like this will be a very good update to those of you already using Pocket Bible. And those of you on the fence about it might really want to take a look as well; looks spiffy at this point. Beta testers are being asked for as well. See the post and a video of PB4 at the Laridian Blog.
• TonyDye has posted about the start of a CITRT group on LinkedIn. CITRT stands for the Church IT RoundTable and plenty of believers from around the US are a part of this group encouraging and sharing knowledge of what works in tech in their respective areas. Do connect on LinkedIn and the CITRT website.
• Frank J. at Strategic Digital Outreach shot MMM a note about a post on his blog talking about how ministries are using SMS as an enabler to connect people with ministry outreach events. Very cool stuff.
• Don't forget to vote in last week's poll about MMM taking itself literally to being run off a mobile device for a week. This poll will close later this week.
• There's a relatively big announcement coming in the next day or so about an extension to the MMM family. Stay tuned for that as many of you might want to link in with this fairly quickly ;)

Labels: Bible, Laridian, software

The Laridian Blog has broken into a rather neat discussion about the using the Bible Maps feature of their Pocket Bible 3 software for Windows and Windows Mobile/Pocket PC as part of an effective reading of the Word. Here's a sniippet of the discussion:

Each map is filled with names of places for which you can read more information. Just tap the name of any location on the map and an article will appear. If you do not currently have the Bible Maps – Articles book open and your preferred dictionary is something other than Bible Maps – Articles then the system will first look in your preferred dictionary for the information and open the appropriate article. If you want it to only look in the Bible Maps – Articles book then you need to either:

- Change your preferred dictionary to Bible Maps – Articles OR:

- Close your preferred dictionary and open the Bible Maps – Articles so that both the maps and the articles are on the same screen. By doing one or the other then it will default to opening the article within Bible Maps – Articles.

Read the rest of this insightful entry, and join the discussion at the Laridian Blog. For more information visit the Bible Maps page at the Laridian website.

Personally, I'd love to be using features such as commentaries, references, and maps more, but I have found that the interface on my IT hasn't yet been optimized for these resources.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, study, tech

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

Laridian introduces the first PC Bible software that can be run from a USB flash drive

Cedar Rapids, IA (MobilityNewswire) December 13, 2007 -- Laridian, Inc., the leading developer of Bible software applications for mobile devices, today announces the release of its acclaimed PocketBible for Windows. The Windows version is available as a download from the company's website, or on a USB flash drive - the first PC Bible software that can run from a USB flash drive and also synchronize personal data with a mobile version on a Windows Mobile or Palm OS device.

Laridian designed the new Windows version of PocketBible to make studying the Bible easier than ever. It is distinguished from other PC-based Bibles as it was developed with mobile users in mind. The PocketBible program and library can be used from a USB flash drive so it can easily be run from any computer. Further, any Bibles and books purchased with PocketBible for Windows are compatible with the mobile versions of Laridian software.

"Electronic Bibles should be as portable as those who use them, and PocketBible is designed for those who want to study their Bibles whether they are at home, on the subway, on break at work, or at church," said Craig Rairdin, President of Laridian, Inc. "Our aim is to not only make PocketBible the most portable Bible software, but also the easiest to use. From the moment you open the program, you'll find it does everything you want to do with a Bible software program - without the learning curve."

Bible software like PocketBible for Windows contains the complete text of several versions of the Bible along with dozens of Bible reference books, allowing users to search for passages, find historical and cultural background information, look up the meaning of words, and copy passages into sermons, lessons, and research papers.

A key advantage of purchasing electronic Bibles or books from Laridian is customers will not have to purchase them for another platform when they upgrade to a new device. All Laridian Bible translations and books purchased for one platform can be viewed on any other platform.

A new feature for users of the PC and Windows Mobile Pocket PC versions, and soon to be expanded to other platforms, is the ability to synchronize personal data (such as notes, bookmarks and highlights) between devices. For example, notes entered with a particular Bible passage on the Pocket PC will synchronize and appear when the PC version is being used.

The PocketBible program is priced at $10 for mobile versions and $29.99 for Windows. Bibles and reference books range in price from free to $129.99. PocketBible Libraries, which combine the PocketBible program and a selection of popular Bibles and reference books at a discount, are also available. Complete pricing and product information can be found at Laridian's Web site: http://www.laridian.com.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, mobile accessories

One can argue that this has probably been the first time since the late '90s that mobile devices have captured so much attention. In many ways, its flat out been the "year of the mobile" for a lot of areas:

- According to a recent report, over 1/8 of USAmerican households are totally mobile
What that means is that more often than not, people are choosing accessibility that is not based on a fixed location. Sure, wireless networks in the US are comparatively horrible, but considering the speed of innovation, that won't be the case for long. Are ministries equipped to roll with this trend?

- The iPhone has spurred several innovative approaches to mobile applications and mobile device usage beyond the techie-influencer cross-section of users
After years of life being stagnant for mobile users, the iPhone has come in to bring a measure of fresh air to several aspects of mobile technology. The really neat part is how the Body has responded to this. The next questions to be answered though are more far reaching, yet if reached have the potential to change a lot more than what's in our pockets.

There's always a ton more that can be said, but the point is pretty clear that there is more attention that's being paid to being mobile, and then making sure that being mobile is no more of an invasion of personal space than any other technology. In an upcoming article, I'll speak towards this attention to mobile, and what it means for the Body in more detail.

Labels: accessiblity, community, iPhone, Laridian, mobiles

If my history on the printing press is not obscured, one of the first books printed for mass consumption was the Bible (the NT I believe). Books and Bibles have pretty much had a solid relationship. Much like newspapers though, Bibles have felt the digital pinch to be more streamlined, digital, and versatile for all types of studying/reading and users.

Today, Amazon has released the Kindle. This is an ebook reader designed to usher (again) the idea of reading eBooks to a wider audience. While this follows a subscription-based model, one has to wonder what the advent of such "book services" means for the Bible.

- Will Bible publishers move towards subsctition-based publishing methods (like iPocketBible) for connected devices?
- Will Bibles ever adapt a common format for those electronic books (making reader applications the differing factor)?
- Will the Bible be the last major basteon for paper books?

As much as I am a digital nut, just visitng a church this weekend reminded me about how far ahead of the minds of many that having a digital Bible can be. This is not to say that there is a long road ahead, but before devices like Kindle can catch any fire, there needs to a good deal of education and collaborative work.

- thanks to Mobile Read for the tip

Labels: Bible, Kindle, Laridian, mobile, mobiles, tech

I wanted to keep this kinda short so we are hitting two items in a post today.

The first is a well written article at JKontheRun talking about the use and benefits of MS Exchange Servers to manage various devices. The thing I like best about an Exchange server is that it works with laptops, desktops, and mobile devices alike. Depending on whether you are in a home with several devices, or an enterprise with dozens, an Exchange server can prove to be a solid investment. Read the article at JKontheRun for the well rounded opinion of this aspect of tech.

The second item is about a new development coming for PocketBible from Laridian. For both Windows and Windows Mobile versions of PocketBible, there will be atlas maps available. The screens shown on the blog posting look towards this being a really good addition towards Laridian's Bible offerings. And in terms of understanding context and times, maps are great. Read more at the Laridian blog, and download for yourself to see the benefits.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, mobile, mobile accessories, software, tech

This weekend I visited a Hispanic-American church in Kannapolis, MD. Besides the fun of sitting in a service, feeling like a complete stranger and ailen because I didn't wear a tie and speak very little Spanish. I found myself wanting more than anything to use my Treo as an aide in my second visit to this fellowship.

This time, unlike the last, I pulled out my Treo in order to (try to) keep up with the verses that the pastor was mentioning. Besides amazing my translator (a nine year-old boy and his sister), it was interesting to note that while most that saw my Treo were familiar with electronic Bibles, most had no clue that it was something that could be applied to a mobile phone.

This line of thinking went along with my mind's thought last week that it seems that despite all that is happening in the realm of Bible software, it just doesn't get enough attention from the pulpit (so to speak) so that those who might come into a situation without a Bible handy, might be able to at least catch up.

With solutions like this one that was highlighted on the BBC last week, I would hope that something can change considering all the pastors and "influencing personalities" that are believers on the 'Net.
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That being said, I'm really impressed at the amount of development that Laridian has put into their iPocketBible product. I know that I personally called them (and other Bible software developers) to task for not making Bible software that's not just "search and retreive" but really extends the paradigm of a Bible on a mobile device. It's really good to see this development happening. I personally wish for more from other developers, and someone to really push that envelope further still to something not yet seen.

Labels: Bible, devotion, Devotions, iPhone, Laridian, mission, mobile, tech

According to a post at the Laridian Blog, Laridian has soft-launched the iPocketBible for iPhone and iPod Touch service/web app. Available in as a $1.99 monthly subscription or $19.99 annual subscription, iPhone and iPod touch users can use one of the most comprehensive Bible packages available today for mobile devices.

Here's more as was posted on the Laridian Blog:

iPocketBible is a Web application so it's very easy for us to update it and add new features. As a result, we decided to make it available to you just as soon as a reasonable amount of functionality was present. This first version of iPocketBible has the following features:

- Access to your complete collection of Laridian Bibles and reference books
- Easy Bible navigation either by choosing book, then chapter, then verse, or by entering a reference like "John 3:16"
- Easy reference book navigation by hierarchical table of contents
- Easy daily devotional navigation by interactive calendar
- Search for words, phrases, or combinations of words
- Search for words matching all prefixes or all suffixes of a particular word
- Chose a passage from a list of search results to see it in context, then use "previous" and "next" functions to see other results in context.
- Set bookmarks on your favorite passages
- Words of Christ in red
- Extensive online help

Coming soon:
- Highlight verses using several highlight colors
- Enter your personal notes on any verse
- Quick word look-up for dictionaries (rather than navigating the table of contents)
- Context-sensitive verse look-up for commentaries (again, rather than navigating the table of contents)
- Track your progress through daily devotionals and Bible reading plans
- Synchronize all your personal data with PocketBible for Windows. Notes, highlights and bookmarks entered on the desktop will show up on your iPhone, and vice versa.
Strongs numbers in Bibles that contain them (they are currently there but not displayed)

This is a pretty substantial Bible offering for iPhone and iPod touch users. Those using the Nokia N and E-series of devices might also be able to use iPocketBible as the rendering engines for the browsers are the same (albeit no touchscreen, so navigation might suffer).

You do need to purchase a bible along with having the subscription plan. However, if you already have made purchases through Laridian previously, those resources will be available to you automatically (you only have to pay for the iPocketBible service).

More details are at www.iPocketBible.com.

Thanks to Matt Miller (Palmsolo) for posting this -- amazing what you can find out when connected with Jaiku and other social networks.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, Laridian, mobile

Last week, we started a series looking at software/hardware and services/applications that are solid tools for using to share, spread, or live out the Gospel. Our first two items were email and the Bible software suite offered by Laridian. Our next two items are:

- Blogs
- WordSearch

Blogs
Blogs are a weird addition into this overview because they sit as a software service, but it is their application that makes them profitable to various ministry functions. Whether you are using a blog as a living writ of testimony, or a means to reach out to your congreation, blogs have the ability to take down some of the barriers to communication and also foster an engaging arena of social exchange that is not as fearful as talking on the phone, or meeting face to face. Blogs are not a replacement to interpersonal communicaiton, and should be used as an accent to already exisiting closer communication. Popular blogging services are Blogger, Wordpress, Movable Type, and TypePad.

WordSearch
WordSearch is one of several Bible software packages that aids in research and studying of the Bible. One of its highlights happens to be its ability to allow one to study side-by-side various versions at the same time. One of the MMM partners, Trailblazin' Ministries, uses WordSearch as a component in preparing devotionals for that website. WordSearch, like many other desktop Bible packages, offers several layers of use for casual, professional, and academic uses. And it is in that versatility that it can be a successful package for a home or minisry setting as it can be just as easily used by the pastor, as well as those younger in the faith.

So far in our list we have blogs and email as general areas, and Laridian and Wordsearch as software services/suites. Later this week or next, look forward to the next installment in this series, and do feel free to comment on any of these towards how you are using them (or similar) or if you have an item that you'd like to see highlighted here.

Labels: Laridian, software, tech, WordSearch

According to the Laridian blog, PocketBible for Windows has been updated to version 1.003. This is a free update for registered PocketBible for Windows users.

So don't wait, go get PocketBible for your Windows computer and start reading.

Labels: Bible, Laridian

Far be it from me to keep everything a secret here for long, but I am working with one of MMM's partners on a task that will change MMM's backend from being Blogger-based to using Movable Type. Of course in this kind of change, doing a redesign was also a part of the equasion and I even found a website whom I wanted to emulate their design (it was just that clean and effective).

I've decided not to use their design, however, in speaking with that site's owner, I was given an idea for a segment here at MMM that would really be effective in helping all of us do a bit more with our mobiles and time as it relates to living the Gospel around us. So call this part one of a (hopefully) five-part series where we will be covering two items (software, hardware, and/or services) and how they can help you be more effective in sharing and living out the Gospel. So with that all said, let's get into the first two items:

Software: Laridian's MyBible Bible Reader software for PalmOS, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Windows desktops, and (soon) iPhone.
Sharing and growing more intimate with God is the name of the game with Laridian's offerings. From being able to read the Word anywhere, to doing comparative studies of difficult passages, Laridian has some of the most comprehensive offerings out there. Download at the Laridian website (www.laridian.com).

Service: Email. Short of talking face to face, email is the most ubquious aspect of a service that we use to connect with one another. From Google, Hotmail, and Yahoo, to smaller offerings, to Exchange hosed offerings, email is a big mover of the Internet, and using email effectively can bolster relationships with those you might not have face time with. I do caution, there is nothing worse than sending a ton of forwards and never a personal note; keeping items personal, to the point, and withou excess fluff makes email a more usable and less a burden to the reader.

Ok, so that is part one of our look at software/hardware and services that help better share the Gospel. In part two we'll take a look at two more items.

If you have software, hardware, or a service that would be effective in talking about in this series, please use our contact form to let us know. In the meantime, get out there and share Christ with someone.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, mobiles, reading, tech

There are a lot of Laridian MyBible users looking for this on their iPhone. And it's coming soon.

Here are two links of the preview mentioned at the Laridian Blog:
- Windows Media Video preview
- QuickTime preview

Looks pretty neat if I do say so myself.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, Laridian, mobile

Israel Anderson wrote in on the previous article about the Bible on the iPhone to let us know that he has created the website/web applicaiton God's iPhone (the Bible for iPhone).

According to the website/web app:

This is a minimalist site for iPhone users, like me, who are looking for a Bible application for the iPhone. I will be developing this site LIVE so that you can use it right away and send me feedback. That also means things may break or not work right. Let me know if something isn't working for you or if you think there's a better way. This site will look plain weird on anything but an iPhone. I am a missionary with YWAM. If you would like to support my efforts through your prayer or financial support, I will be very blessed.

I'll be trying this really soon on the N800, but it looks pretty solid and a neat resource for using the Word online.

Ok, enough from me, go to http://www.godsiphone.com and get in the Word via whatever browser you have :)

Perosnally, I would love to see a company like Laridian, Olive Tree, eBible, Logo, or another get behind Israel and help with the support, content, and development of this web app. It's really got potential to bless folks on more than just iPhones.

Labels: Bible, eBible, GMPSoft, iPhone, Laridian, Logos, mobile, N800, Olivetree, usablity

...I like to keep my bible software on my palm, because for me it’s the best way to have God’s Word with me at all times without the bulk. I had a bible on a PDA even back when I had a 512MB Sharp Wizard. I need daily scripture spiritually about as much as my body needs food physically. It keeps me going in the right direction as I make daily decisions and respond to day to day pressures. It helps me see things from God’s perspective. I like to get a full understanding of scripture by using a variety of translations. With a palm, I can have as many bible versions and other references as I want with me and still not add an ounce of extra weight to my purse. I have both a Treo 700p and a TX, and I use the bible on both. I mainly use the TX with its larger screen for in-depth reading, and the Treo when I’m running about and want to look up a quick verse...

Read the rest of this informative piece at Palm Addict and make sure to check out the Bible programs featured at the end of the piece.

Labels: Bible, Bible+, DailyReader, Devotions, GMPSoft, Laridian, Memorize, mobile, Olivetree, Palm Addict, Personal Prayer Assistant, SMS Advance