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

Ah, now this is some cool software that's really work chatting some about - Covenant Eyes has released for iPhone and iPod Touch mobile devices.

Basically, this is an alternate web browser that replaces Safari and uses the Covenant Eyes service in order to foster accountable web surfing between accountability partners. I've got a friend who's recently downloaded this and he's said that its been a great addition to his mobile lifestyle.

Covenant Eyes for iPhone and iPod Touch is available via iTunes. The application is part of the paid service and cannot be used without it. You will also need to read the follow-up instructions via the Covenant Eyes user guide after installing.

As a side note, MMM is interested in hearing about how software such as XXX-Church and Covenant Eyes has helped your spiritual lifestyle choices. Its not easy to overcome the temptations of web life, but when you have, those stories can encourage others. So do comment here towards your victories and let's hold up one another in this area.

For more information, visit the Covenant Eyes website or connect with them on Twitter (@CovenantEyes).

Labels: accountability, Covenant Eyes, discipliship, iPhone, iPod Touch, software

Kevin Purcell put together an early impressions review of the new Logos iPhone Application over at his website about a week ago. We are just getting to it now, but if you are considering the Logos iPhone App, then I definitely recommend this read. Here's a snippet.

...The other good thing about the Logos iPhone app is the overall interface. It is nice. It opens to the Home screen which lists reading plans and news information. Tap on Library and there are two lists, the bookshelf (pictured above) and the library. It is a little confusing to have a library tab on the library page. I wish they had made it more obvious that the bookshelf is the most used books while the library tab is all available books. Titles like Favorites and All would be more explanatory...

Read the rest of the review at Kevin Purcell's website.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, Logos, review, software

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

Read this as I was finishing a work-week. And while my mind thinks often on the subject of mobile, sometimes, it takes really real stories of what's being done to help me gather perspective. This was one of those. Here's a snippet:

...She watched as I showed her how the application could download images, and how doctors could make annotations, and add dictations, and I explained how another doctor could open the application across the globe “While on vacation in France, perhaps.” and listen to the dictations and read the annotations. She stared at me in utter disbelief as I went through the images, and turned the application to landscape mode and zoomed in and out. I retold the story of how a retina problem could lead to blindness if not immediately treated, as her young assistant, who had now moved in for a closer look, stared at the iPhone screen...

Read the rest of The Closing Argument at the iPhone BioTech Blog.

Really, there's not much more that I can say from this except to quote what an MMM partner once told me: technology is only relevant when it is personal. Let's make sure that in all our use of mobile, that we are truly keeping God and our hearts in the right place.

Labels: development, gifts, iPhone, medical, mobile, stewardship

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 is another great post series that has been going on and has recently concluded. Over at Challies the topic of discussion is simply titled "Don't Take Your iPod to Church." The series is in multiple parts (Part 1, Part 1.5, and Part 2), but all are some great reading.

And you can bet that I've made a post there. Here's my comment towards what was written in Part Two. Hope to see you commenting there (and here) :D

Labels: communication, education, iPhone, iPod, study, tech

Just a headsup that there may be two bugs that you would encounter if you are using Olive Tree's BibleReader software with the iPhone and the new 3.0 OS that is now available. Details of the issues are posted at the Olive Tree blog.

Labels: iPhone, iPod Touch, Olivetree

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

Kind of late on this, but its cool nonetheless and worth highlighting. Via Church Tech Today:

CCB is a unique ChMS offering that combines church management features with socially-driven communication and connection tools. The company already offers PDA interface, and now the iPhone interface allows for even more connectedness via mobile phones (full press release).

This is pretty cool, and solutions like this should enable people to think more about some of those admin tasks and whether they really are 30min or 30sec in nature, and then using the right interfaces to get it done effectively.

Read more about the CCB iPhone application and ChMS software it works with at the Church Community Builder website.

Labels: ChMS, Church Tech Today, CMS, iPhone

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

I promised to review some Bible software a short while ago. This is one I stumbled on while talking to Twitter pal Chris Szulwach, and I am happy I stumbled.

Youversion is an offering from Lifechurch.tv that is aimed at making the Bible more accessible to all. The best part is that they truly have a heart for leveraging technology to make it happen.

This application is user friendly, allowing users to add devotions and notes to specific verses that can be used by fellow users.

The whole project makes available a robust online Bible in numerous translations. Well, the developers didn't stop there; they created a BlackBerry port, so that your biblical needs are available on the go.

The BlackBerry application has more than 30 different translations in numerous languages. You can search the entire Bible with keywords. Upon starting the program on your Berry, you are welcomed to a clean mobile interface with an option to check other user contributions, or to use the built-in one-year reading plan, or simply just "read."

I found that application responsive. The default font was perfect, and can be made smaller or larger to fit the users tastes.

If I had to gripe (and I am honestly struggling here), it would be about the inability of a user to make notes/contributions on the BlackBerry.

All in all, this is a beautifully-made free application for BlackBerry and (gasp!) iPhone users. A true blessing. Have fun "inviting" friends and family to use this application Facebook-style via email, or join the growing community at youversion.com.

The generalized mobile site is located at m.youversion.com.

Labels: Bible, BlackBerry, Church Tech Today, iPhone

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

Earlier this year, we pointed to Abilene Christian University's mobile initiative. The university would be the first to offer incoming freshmen iPhone and iPod Touch devices, and then integrate them into an entire mobile-culture.

An article at Network World peeks into what has happened at Abilene Christian University, and some of the blessings and challenges of going mobile in a university setting. Here's a snippet:

...When iPhone was released, the school bought nearly two dozen to test out. By December 2007, campus officials decided they had what they needed.

Well, almost.

The university decided to focus on just the incoming freshmen, rather than try to equip and support all nearly 4,000 undergrads. Even so, IT staff realized the campus Wi-Fi net had not been designed to support a fully and constantly connected population. "As I thought this through, I realized these [handhelds] were wireless-only devices, and much better positioned than laptops for doing all kinds of things like quick lookups," says Arthur Brant, ACU's director of networking services. "That meant these devices would be used a lot more than laptops..."

Read the rest of the article at Network World.

What can we gather from initiative that is beneficial for the Body at large? Specifically, from an implementation standpoint, we can see that there was a vision for use that had a lot of hands towards making this mobile-enabled culture happen. There was an acknowledgement of limitations, and a quick response to issues (where possible).

What ACU does as well as point towards a response to technology as the Body has has to understand. There are elements of use and culture, but moreso there is a methodology of equipping for the world at hand that needs to be done if we are going to live in this changing world.

As one who wanted to pull this off with PDAs while I was an undergrade (article written in late 2001, I graduated 2002), there is definitely some interest in me seeing the successes and failures here. But it also is encouraging to see that mobile tech can be used as a part of the education and Christian-life-skills processes.

Labels: community, education, information technology, iPhone, iPod Touch, mobility, tech

A good friend shot me an email about some coming updates for Olive Tree's iPhone/iPod Touch Bible Reader detailed in a post at Painfully Hopeful. Here's a snippet of what's coming:

...Well, I can happily say that personal libraries are now present beta release, and I was privileged to be shown a screen shot of what Hebrew support is going to look like on the iPhone/iTouch. Folks, you will be pleased, I am literally drooling over how Hebrew looks in the screenshot. The new version's UI differs some from the current release in the App Store, apparently from some work the gang at Olive Tree did with Apple's "UI Evangelist." The browser-like bar is gone from the top of the screen, which has been replaced by two buttons - one for selecting a book out of your library and the other to open the verse chooser (which has remained unchanged from earlier releases)...

Check out the rest of the post at Painfully Hopeful and then download Olive Tree's iPhone/iPod Touch Bible Reader and see the updates for yourself.

Image via Olive Tree

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, Olivetree, review, software

A post from the website Every Square Inch reviews a few Bible applications for the iPhone and offers some solid insights. Here's a snippet:

One of the best reasons I love having an iPhone is that it provides a quick, easy way to read the Bible. It's amazing when you stop to think about it. I always have the entire Bible right in my pocket! I can take 10 minutes to read a chapter any time I have the opportunity. I can search for a word or phrase in the Bible whenever I have need. All right there with me at all times—carrying nothing more than the iPhone I'm already carrying.

Personally, my favorite time and place to read my Bible is early in the morning on my front porch (while my dog Tucker walks around looking for rabbit droppings). An important morning custom for both of us. And often at that time, especially this time of year, it's still dark outside. That's when reading the Bible on my lighted iPhone screen is particularly handy...

Check out the rest of the post at Every Square Inch (link via Palm Addict).

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, review, software

Rocking through RSS feeds, Bible Softwrae Review linked to a Olive Tree BibleReader Beta Review at Touch Rundown. Pretty neat to see what Olive Tree has done. Check out this snippet of the review:

...One more feature that makes this a well-rounded app is the powerful search capability. You can perform a standard search, specifying where to search in the Bible, how to match your query, and how to display results. There is also an advanced search syntax that allows you to get very, very specific. You can match partial words and specify “ANDs”, “ORs”, or even get as detailed as to tell it how close to each other you want your search terms to be. You can also nest searches (create searches within searches). And that only scratches the surface. The bottom line is that the search capabilities of BibleReader for iPhone rival that of even desktop software...

Read the rest of the Olive Tree BibleReader Beta Review at Touch Rundown, then take a trip to Olive Tree to download it and try for yourself.

Labels: Bible, BSReview, iPhone, iPod Touch, Olivetree, review, software

One of the new aspects of play that I have had with mobile devices lately has come through the Nokia N95 and a piece of hardware/software called the accelerometer. The Accelerometer is basically a sensor within the device that senses when it has changed positions on the X, Y, and Z-axis and then orients the screen accordingly.

Those of you with the iPhone will know this feature as being the same thing as when you hold the device in its normal portrait mode, but then tilt to landscape for web or email viewing. The N95 also has this feature, and its something that when I unlocked it with a few applications, it got me thinking again about mobile Bible readers.

One of the common issues I hear with mobile bible readers is the screen resolution. For many people, the text is too small to read, but just right to look up a phone number (go figure). For some others, the buttons are designed for quick presses and therefore are uncomfortable for a reading mode.

Some browsers have seen this issue and have adopted a pan and zoom feature. For example, Opera Mini, Nokia's S60 Web Browser and Apple's Safari Mobile have this feature where you can view the whole of a web page as it would look on a desktop, but then zoom in to a section that you'd like to read.

The benefits of this is that you get some of the feel of the large page, but the compactness of the content fitting the screen that you are looking at. Now, what if that same idea, plus the accelerometer were applied to a mobile bible reader.

Let's give a usage case and then hear some thoughts from you:
- Open the Bible Reader and you are presented with two panes: last read verses and recent bookmarks
- Clicking on Last Read Verses you are taken to a zoomed out page with the focus square (the area that you can zoom into) on the verse that you chose
- The view is a nearly traditional four column, 42-line view (mimicing the page view that many are familiar with)
- Zoom in and the content is reflowed to fit the mobile screen for that specific verse with a line from the previous verse and a line from the next verse if the screen permits
- To scroll one tilts the device up or down, moving the Bible a verse up or down (an optional setting to allow it to move an entire screen, multiple verses, or off)
- For added fun, tapping the camera will indicate that a bookmark is to be made for that verse and a new screen pops up with that specific dialogue

Again, this is just a thought after having played with the programs FlipSlient and RockNScroll on my N95. What do you think of immersing the electronic bible reading experience with a few subtle actions such as described above?

Post created with alpha version of WordPy for Internet Tablets (please excuse any formatting issues)

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, N95, seminary, software, UI

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

A day late with the news because of our posting schedule, but nonetheless wanting to highlight another solid Bible reader application that has made it to the iPhone/iPod Touch world. Olive Tree has released its Bible Reader application for the iPhone.

As reported on the Olive Tree blog, "This version has a three tap verse chooser, continuous scrolling, and the books are store locally on your iPhone so that you don't need an internet connection to read them."

There are two versions of Olive Tree's new reader, both available from Apple's App Store: BibleReader (free) and the ESV Study Bundle for BibleReader ($24.99)

Here are some very important notes about this version of Bible Reader:

• Downlad and installation of BibleReader for iPhone and purchase of iPhone-compatible Olive Tree resources can only take place through the Apple iTunes store at this time. iPhone BibleReader and iPhone resources are not presently available through Olive Tree's online store. Go to Apple iTunes to find resources for your iPhone or iPod Touch.
• iTunes sells resources in bundles. To use different books together (looking up a verse in two different Bible translations without exiting the program, for example), books must be purchased in the same bundle. Individual titles cannot be added to or subtracted from a bundle. Olive Tree will offer periodic updates to the bundles sold on iTunes. If we update a bundle you have purchased, you can download the update for free at iTunes.
• BibleReader for iPhone is a completely new program. Items in your Personal Library purchased for other platforms (like BlackBerry or Palm) will not transfer to iPhone. Olive Tree resources for iPhone are only available through Apple iTunes.

That all being said, there are some neat things to look forward to with Olive Tree's new Bible Reader. This is from the list featured on Olive Tree's iPhone page:

• Greek and Hebrew Bible translations, lexicons, reference works, and fonts
• More commentaries, study tools, and Christian eBooks—Olive Tree plans to release over 500 titles for iPhone
• Phrase Search
• Bookmarks
• Auto-Scrolling
• Hyperlinked Table of Contents for eBooks
• Personal Notes
• Support for Images
• Highlighting
• Split-Screen, to view multiple documents at once
• Notes and Cross-References

For more information, visit Olive Tree's iPhone page; to download/purchase, visit the App Store via iTunes or on the iPhone/iPod Touch devices.

Labels: Bible, commentary, eBook, iPhone, iPod Touch, mobiles, mobility, Olivetree, reading, smartphone, software, tech

From Palmsolo/Matt Miller:

A new Bible reader for iPhone users called Mantis Bible has been released. Unlike other iPhone Bible applications that have been released, this one allows for the offline reading of Bible texts.

Mantis Bible is designed to not just be a Bible reader, but to also facilitate studying the Bible on such a mobile device. Here are some additional features noted on their website:

• Additional translations and study tools can be added (with more than 15 titles already available.)
• Quick-click History makes jumping from verse to verse and back simple and quick.
• Quick-reference chapter and section headers make finding the right text easy.
• Easily create bookmarks and notes for any verse in the Bible.
• Unique "Compare Versions" feature shows a single verse in multiple translations on one page.
• Fast and flexible, yet simple search system.
• Personal notes and translation notes appear inline with the text and can be toggled on and off, making it easier to view the notes within the context of its related scripture.
• Quick help text appears for new users.
• Two-touch translation chooser instantly shows the current text in any installed Bible translation.
• Streamlined work-flow designed for quickly looking up passages without losing your place.
• Use-tested on pastors and kindergarten students alike. They BOTH did very well!

All in all, this sounds like a very solid release for iPhone and iPod Touch users looking for a Bible application. Most of the Bibles are $5-$15 in price and it seems that they are working to get additional translations available.

For more information and to purchase/download, visit the Mantis Bible website.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, mobile, software

...accoring to LifeChurch.tv, that is the number of minutes that people spent reading the Bible on their iPhone on the iPhone 3G launch day last week (either via the iPhone version of the YouVersion website or the new iPhone Bible app).

YouVersion has a new Bible application for iPhone users that works both online and offline. Pretty nifty user interface if you ask me, and there's a ton that can be done with it.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, software, YouVersion

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

Ricky Cadden of SMSTextNews and Symbian Guru has reported that "Abilene Christian University has officially become the first university in the U.S. to provide an iPhone or iPod Touch to all incoming freshmen."

According to the Abilene Christian University mobile learning website, this is a part of their Connected initative. Programs and the campus has been designed to facilitate mobile learning and mobile lifestyle engagement.

I wonder how the religious/spiritual organizations on Abilene's campus address this shift in mobile tech? We talked before about how a program of churches partnering with communties towards tech education would be something that current technology makes possible. I wonder if there are any initatives on college campuses that are similar, or even further reaching than what Abilene is doing?

If anyone reading has info towards this end of the tech engagement, please comment here towards how the adoption happens there.

Labels: community, education, iPhone, mission, tech

I've been kinda taken to task for not updating the post The Bible for Your iPhone written last year when the iPhone was made available and many ran online looking for Bibles. So what do things look like now a year after the iPhone's introdcution? Here are some of the iPhone Bibles we've talked about or were noted in comments here at MMM.

• iPocketBible by Laridian
• iPhone Bible by Apathy Online
• iPhone Bible (w/LDS)
• iBiblez
• God's iPhone (the Bible for iPhone)
• iPhoneScriptures
• 3onesix Ministry Tools
• iBibleSpace
• Add the ESV to Your iPhone Home Screen

If you have an iPhone compatable Bible reader, do make note of it so that this post, and not the older one, gets you some additional recognition for your efforts.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, software

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

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

Its taken a while to get my thoughts and heart together enough to address this. Considering the fervor that various mobile devices have caused in the past year though, I think that some accountability is an order, or at least a good bit of checking our motives at the door when it comes to these devices and what we want to do with them.

If you will, think of this as a look at stewardship, ownership, and accountability.

Matthew 22:15-22 ESV

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

This weekend I took some time to read through RSS feeds on my Treo. It had been some time since doing so, and there are several websites that I read there, that I do not anywhere else for various reasons. One of the common themes of the week happened to be the update for the iPhone (Version 1.1.1) that had come out. Several websites reported on this update beforehand of having the possiblity of bricking, or rendering useless, their iPhones. Those that would be effected would be those whose devices were being used on another carrier's network, or had other functionality exposed that was not in the original design of the iPhone.

The day of the release came, and then came the reports of what worked and what did not work. Suffice to say, there were plenty of disappointed people. Especially those who had unlocked the iPhone to be used on other carriers around the world, or those whose use of special applications enabled functionality that was nor present in the off-the-shelf-version.

A statement from Apple days before the release of the update (from Engadget):

...the company has released an official statement warning users that "unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs" could cause "irreparable damage to the iPhone's software." Furthermore, the firm stated that these apps could result in the handset becoming "permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed" -- you know, like the one coming "later this week" that includes the iTunes WiFi Music Store. As if that wasn't bad enough, the release also notes that "unauthorized modifications to the iPhone's software" violates the iPhone software license agreement and "voids the warranty."

So basically, if you installed software you were not supposed to, then you are not supposed to expect an official update to continue to allow your device to work.

A post that I read at The SmartPDA posted this (thanks):

Nowadays, when you buy gadgets and software, you enter into an agreement with the manufacturer and your service provider, usually outlined in the manual or in the software itself. Quite frankly, nobody (myself included) takes the time to read the agreement, since we're too busy enjoying our new toys.

Anyone who purchases an iPhone enter[s] into a provider agreement with AT&T, and into an End User License Agreement with Apple over the smartphone's software.

There are two aspects at play here, one of which is very much a part of how Christians define themselves as relating to the world around us:

Romans 13 ESV (selected quotes)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer...

There are a few ways of looking at this, but we will will just cover a few of the topmost points, and let discussion merit the rest.

Because of end-user license agreements that a person agrees to when they purchase software or hardware, you agree not to do certain things to the item in return for a specific service. When you pay Apple (Steve Jobs and company) for the iPhone, one part of that agreement is that you make the concession NOT to modify the software of the device in any fashion, nor to manipulate the ability of the radio software to work in any fashion not prescribed by At&T or Apple.

In the US, phone makers and carriers are required by law to allow for a phone to be unlocked to be used on compatable carriers where possible. This law is usually circumvented by carriers by modifying aspects of the hardware or software so that it is harder for the device to work on another carrier. Or, by making exclusivity agreements with carriers that stipulate that a device is to be sold/used on one carrier for a specific amount of time. The latter is the case with the iPhone.

So, is it against the law to modify your iPhone to be used on another carrier? Yes.

Is it against the law to demand that Apple modify the agreement that you signed and agreed to stating that you would not use the device in any way that violates the terms of service or end-user agreement? No. It is not against the law to demand it, but not right to expect it per your timing.

As much as we believe that a device is ours and we should be able to do what we want, the truth is we cannot. As believers, and moreso as law-abiding citizens, we have to hold to standards that speak not towards lawlessness, but towards civility. If you are a believer who has purchased an iPhone and are using it in ways that break the end-user-license agreement or terms of service, you cannot expect your unsantioned use to be officially updated. If what you purchased does not fit how you want to use it, then find a device that does, or admit that your lusts cannot be fulfilled by this temporary thing and wait on the device that does work best for what you'd like to do.

Give Apple their just due for providing a device that has made you excited, but don't let your lusts for wanting to use it cost Christ's name.

Labels: accessiblity, Devotions, iPhone, 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

One of the things that I've liked about the N95 is that its let me get back into just browsing the Net, not just reading info. Granted, browsing is fun when there is nothing to do of dire importance and there is just loose time. So what did my rabbit hole bring tonite...

- I started at Jaiku. I wanted to see what some of my contacts were up to. I still think that an Opera widget and a mobile client for every other phone would make this an awesome application for a lot of folks.

- I peeked in on Darla Mack's blog via her Jaiku channel when I saw a post about Nokia's mobile web server. Now this got me thinking that I should move to a Symbian device, and then host MMM on the device. Besides accessible as all get out, it would really kick the mobile notch up a good bit.

- Continued on Jaiku and saw that there is a TUAW channel (for the Apple fans, they should know that site).

- Clicked there and read Robert Scoble talk about giving up the N95 and appreciating the iPhone.

- had another tab open stil to TUAW's Jaiku and got the idea via ijustine and The Remix of Children's Ministry (found via Robert Scoble's site) that its not the tech nor the availabilty that is the issue, just how we want to imagine using it to reach an audience and just going there.

- I managed to come out of the hole though to reinitate the full posts in RSS feeds, and at take a bit more of a thought to moving MMM completly mobile. If the right Nokia device were to come along (the N95's battery and memory issues are the only real hold up for this one), I'd probably do it; which would make that whole planning for MMM to be reinvented in MT4 go to waste a bit...sorry LJ.

- There's not much else that I can say other that since moving to Charlotte God's been heavy. God's been just moving a whole lot, from temporary residency to a job to a possible apartment. God's been extremely gracious and hence my heart being heavy for doing well with MMM. There's a whole lot out there, and God's saw fit to lead me this far - lead YOU this far. It's not like we deserve this, but He's so, so gracious. A few friends can testify to the fact that today I've never been more in awe, thankful, gracious of God's hands in my life. He says, "I know the plans I have for you." I've been walking towards Charlotte and more for 8+ years... there's just a whole lot that just browsing doesn't capture....things that God hands and flow just happen to roll with. I am so not ready for this IMO, but God has saw fit to just dump some grace notes on me. Heavy stuff.

Labels: accessiblity, children, devotion, iPhone, Jaiku, mobiles, N95, usability

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

Last week, we posted about God's iPhone. A Bible reader website designed for iPhone/Nokia tablet users. There has been a major update recently:

Update for Monday, July 16, 2007. OK, with the exception of Revelation, the NT is complete. Ok, I couldn't go to sleep without doing Revelation as well. So now the entire NT is online. Please give me feedback!!

This is moving along quite quickly. Do check out God's iPhone whether you are on an iPhone or not and offer feedback. This is an exellent work.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, mobile, Nokia

Found another iPhone Bible, this one by Apathy Online. Point your browser to http://iphone.clearsight.org/ and get to reading.

And here is another iPhone Bible (w/LDS): http://tall.mountainmighty.com/

ok, at this point, I am pretty impressed with the number of folks building Bible widgets/sites for the iPhone. The only thing I don;t like is that they are all looking the same. It would be nice to see a few skins, but I think that is something that n iPhone SDK will have to address.

And yes, this is part of that rabbit hole thingy.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, mobile

Confession: I do this thing online where i begin reading on sites that I usually read, and then start clicking on links that look interesting and begin reading more and more. And clicking more and more. I end up with this long history view of my browsing that spans hours and several pages (and I am usually reading multiple pages at once on tabbed browsers) and it becomes this rabbit hole. At some point in my reading, I always come back to MMM and find something that I posted that I want to see what else was posted about. This time it was that recent posting on God's iPhone. I wanted to know what else has been written about the Word on the iPhone and this is what happened...

...a Google search on iPhone and saw in one of the listings that a comany called 3onesix has made a Bible notes program called Elohiem Notes that should work on other Internet Tablet and PDA devices with a nice sized screen. Check out their website (very well done) and the other ministry products they offer.

Of couse, my usual web finds don't come that way. In that rabbit trail, I ran across a podcasting site called Geeks & God that talks about tech in Chrisitan ministries. When I get some time at my new job (praise God) I'll be listening in on the podcasts and getting some extra input from the other parts of the blogsphere of those things that meet at the intersection of faith an tech.

Ooh, I just noticed that the Geeks & God site has a forum about the Drupal content management system (CMS). Neat.

jumping out of the rabbit hole to continue this discussion some

For me, seeing what God is doing online is about me getting out there and just seeing through all of the holes and plains of content what has been planted out there, or what is about to come up. Too often, this web can seem like a place so big and so mainstream. But in every link there is the potential to find a gem that you would have not seen before. I look for those, in the hopes that meeting with others in the ministry that we make the web more than a slew of pictures, videos and links, but a tie that helps create avenues for a bit more than normal community interactions.

Plus, in all the hoopla about the iPhone catching the name of 'Jesus phone,' its good to know that some of the good content will come out on top that will really edify Him and not the tech that tries to be everything like Him.

Labels: community, iPhone, mobile, podcast

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, usability

Was just reading over at phone different (yes, they spell it with lowercase letters) one of the many online overviews/reviews of the iPhone and in the comments was a link to a Bible that would be usable on the iPhone, N800, and other Internet-enabled mobile devices -- as well as right there at your desktop :)

ReadScriptures.com presents a really simple and straight forward interface for having the Bible on your mobile as a web application. Books are segmented by OT, NT, Books of Mormon (?), Doctrine and Covenants, and and PGP (?). There is also a search feature so that you can find specifc scriptures.

Note: From the looks of things, this seems to be a Bible reference geared to the Morman audience. While I myself am not a Morman, I do respect the resource that was presented and hence why I've made an effort to post about it.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, N800

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:

• iPocketBible by Laridian
• iPhone Bible by Apathy Online
• iPhone Bible (w/LDS)
• iBiblez
• See more at this more recent list

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).

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.

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