Mobile Ministry Magazine

There has a been a number of happenings in the area of mobile bible applications. Here are the highlights of what's come in the past week+:

OliveTree Releases Symbian S60v5 Beta and updated BlackBerry and Android applications

The folks over at OliveTree have been kicking it into high gear with mobile application updates. They've released an early beta of their OliveTree Reader for Symbian S60v5 devices (Nokia 5800XM and N97, Samsung i8910, and Sony Ericsson Saito). Testing is happening in this very public beta to get feedback before making this official. So jump in by downloading the reader and giving your feedback in the OliveTree forums.

There has also been an update to the BlackBerry and Android versions of the OliveTree application. Those too can be downloaded from the mobile-enabled download page.

Maemo 5 Bible App (Katana) Development Moving Forward

The topic of a new Bible application for Nokia's Mameo5 platform has continued with some really solid success. Already, there has been some movement by a number of developers to port the existing Rapier application to Maemo5 (testing on a live device only remains there). And then for the newer application - tentitvely named Katana - there's some work being done in a basic UI, and discussions about a plug-in approach that would enable the use of paid Bibles from folks such as OliveTree, in addition to the already planned for support for Sword and Palm Bible+ bibles.

If you'd like to learn more or join the development efforts, throw your eyes and prayers into the discussion.

Logos' Bible Software App for the iPhone

Logos has also jumped into the mobile application world with its Bible software application for the iPhone. This is a free application which allows its users to read, search, cross reference, compare versions, and even set up reading plans, all from an iPhone or iPod Touch device. As with many mobile Bible applications, this one requires a wireless connection as it connects to the Bibles featured at bible.logos.com. There's tap-and-hold functionality for viewing Hebrew/Greek, verse/text comparison, and linked cross references.

If you are looking at a Bible app to compliement your Logos library, this would probably be your best bet. For more information, visit Logos' iPhone software webpage or iTunes.

Got News?

Got news about a Bible application - new application, text, or public beta programs, shoot us a note about it so that we can help you spread the word.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, Katana, Logos, Maemo, Nokia, Olivetree, Rapier, Samsung, software, sony ericsson

Here is a (small) list of some of the places to get free (and low-cost) electronic Bibles (mobile, smartphone, laptop, and desktop):

• Laridian
• Olive Tree
• YouVersion
• Logos for iPhone
• eBible
• eSword
• Bible Explorer
• Palm Bible+
• Symbian Bible Reader (previous called S60 Bible Reader
• Mantis Bible Reader
• Rapier
• Berean Bible Study
• BibleTouch
• GoBible
• mbible.com (Online Mobile Bible)
• Touch Bible LE
• Several iPhone Bibles and Bible Widgets
• AcroBible for Android
• CadreBible
• Arabic Bible
• Best eBible (Symbian S60)

Are we missing one that you use? Add it in the comments.

Image via Palm Bible+

Labels: Android, Berean Bible Study, Bible, Bible Explorer, Bible+, iPhone, Laridian, Mantis Bible, Olivetree, Rapier, S60 Bible Reader, software, WordSearch, YouVersion

Since moving to using the N800 and N75 as my computing devices, I've had a bit of a quandary when its come to using the devices for Bible study and church. One main issue has been search. Its not so much of an issue on the N75 with the S60 Bible reader - this Bible reader is a lot like the Bible+ reader that has IMO the best user interface for searching for verses when you know the verse you are looking for in either term or address.

The problem comes when I am using the N800. There, I am usually writing notes and want to go back and forth with Rapier and Bible Gateway (yes, I use both at the same time). While I can get to many verses or notes, its cumbersome, and I have gone to the point of putting the devices down and just listening out of frustration.

I read a post about how one can look up Bible references from the web with Logos and it really hit that what I needed (in some cases) was just a better way to get the verses down do that the N800 can give me what I am looking for.

The way that Logos works, according to the post, its pretty much as simple as pointing Logos to the web page where you want to pull the verse from, and then the library shows the verses in another screen. This method really works best when you have a web page that has all the verses listed, and then the browser is open to that page, and the person is in Logos - kinda like one of those options we talked about before.

Here is a bit more detail about the process:

Libronix will quickly find all the Bible references mentioned and add them to your verse list in the order in which they appear on the web page. You can then decide how you'd like to view them. The default is to show only the references without the text. Double clicking those references will open them in your preferred Bible allowing you to read them in their contexts, compare them with other versions, or dig into your study Bibles and commentaries. If you'd like to see the text of the verses along with the references, you can select "References and Text in One Column" or "References and Text in Two Columns."

In looking at this just in the context of Bible software. It would seem that the best way to take advantage of this is have some sort of outline in some kind of container (RSS) that a program could use and then using the ability of that program to take notes, one would have all the verses they need and could just concentrate on listening to the lesson and engaging in the discussion.

Labels: Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Logos, N800, Rapier, S60 Bible Reader, software, study

Not being a programmer in the sense of developing applications, I have a large appareciation for those who can stand to listen to hoards of feature requests and feedback that comes on the heels of a popular application. This is something that I've realized first hand as the webmaster for Bible+.

Now again, I see the need to just put out there that a developer is in need of help, not only in terms of development, but also in terms of what could be done with the Rapier Bible reader application.

Over at Internet Tablet Talk, there has been a thread started asking for help and feature request for Rapier. One can also sign up for the mailing list and submit items that way as well.

Much like Bible+, this is a single person who is devoting some spare time to enable those with an alternative device to read the Word. Let's encourage him in prayer and feedback where possible.

For more information about Rapier, or to download it for your Internet Tablet, visit the Rapier page at the Maemo Garage.

Labels: Bible, community, N800, Nokia, Rapier, software