Mobile Ministry Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

Having received the Nokia N95 (North American edition) as the prize for my second place finish in Nokia's Mobile Web Server Challenge, I am now about the business of using it and its associated applicaitons and services to turn what we know about church and Bible studies on its head.

First thought, and something that I will certainely try and pull off (in some form), is using my mobile device as a learning center for a Bible study. For this we have a few items:

• My N95
• Nokia's Mobile Web Server
• JoikuSpot
• Friends with various wireless devices
• eBible or YouVersion

As you can see, we have a common contact point in the N95. The N95 will serve as the WiFi router for the other mobile devices with JokiuSpot (did you think we'd be meeting in a coffeehouse). And then we will balance having Bibles and resources with eBible and/or YouVersion, while the lesson and its comments will be placed on the Mobile Web Server.

Location: the middle of a park. There are a few reasons for this location. One, we are outside of a building and able to enjoy the beauty of God's creation while engaging His Word. Also, we put people in a place where they are less tight from sitting in a traditional church environment. Lastly, this is open enough that it would invite others to sit with us, but not feel like they cannot just pull out a pen and paper, or a laptop of their own, and jump right into the discussion.

Of course, making sure that this is something that can be found on a map would make it easier, so we use the MapSpot add-on with JokiuSpot to put the hotspot on a literal map so that people could see and engage with us, and have a means to get directions to our location.

This assumes a few things, such as connectivity issues as not being a problem, and that those involved would have the technology to engage this environment. Of both of these, I see them as being much less of an issue for the current and next generation of mobile users than what has been had previously. Devices and networks are ready for this if you will.

After all of that its just about digging into His Word. Using what we have been given in terms of His Word and Spirit to hear what God would have us learn at that moment. And then with the technology we can engage virtual audiences with audio, text, and video. We have a means for people to follow up on things as they are saved on the mobile web server and easily accessible. And then we have engagement. Its all about people and giving them avenues to engage the Word and their communities.

Thoughts (because I've not done it just yet, but I will)?

Labels: community, eBible, internet tablet, iPod Touch, Laptop, Mobile Web Server, mobility, N95, smartphone, study, YouVersion

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

This is a pretty neat thing to do to any mobile device. Granted, I think it would be more helpful if you kept some pages and then used it as a bit of ink-based reminder system, but I guess this works too.

..That's fine, but the little iPod gets uncomfortable to hold after a while, and it lacks the presence of a real book. Imagine seeing an attractive girl (or boy) sitting outside a pavement cafe, drinking an espresso, smoking a Gauloise and reading a tatty paperback. It's a romantic image which is shattered when you swap the book for a PDA. I decided to disguise my iPod as a book, and if that wasn't pretentious enough, I put it in a modded Moleskine, the notebook of choice for fops and dandies the world over. Follow along to see how it turned out...

Read the entire article at Wired Magazine

~ via MobileRead

Labels: iPod Touch, Moleskin, reading

Image from Wikipedia

I begin this post thinking a good bit about the direction that MMM has gone in, and where its going. Given the pace that mobile technology is moving, and the fact that it is being adopted by more people and in faster waves than ever, there's sure to be a considerable amount of churn to hit before things plateau. But what I don't see much of is a response to mobile tech from those who don't usually get a chance to speak up.

You see, as the Internet and blogs go, it is usually those who have the fastest and loudest voices that get the attention. I cannot fault them either. If you don't get it out there, then who will read it. And retreads are just not pleasant in TV nor in news reporting.

I find it kinda neat though when people engage mobile tech for the first time. There's a fit of amazement, followed by disappointment, followed by investigation, followed by evangelism of a different kind - unbiased.

A friend of mine recently won the 16GB iPod Touch and has been slowly getting on board with it. Per my usual role, I am a helping tech voice to help guide things along. Its been neat to listen to the heart of someone who hasn't been in this so long, and just where they can go with it. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• My friend first asked me if there was a case that could be purchased. So I led them to a reputable site that wasn't huge, but has a solid reputation for iPod Touch cases.
• I mentioned that once they are set up, that it would be a good idea to explore getting a Bible on there; they remarked that they wanted to know how to do that sooner rather than later.
• My friend was discouraged that there were places where things like name, address, birth date, etc. were asked for in the installation and registration process. Being a person that doesn't install things very often, this kind of questioning was seen as invasive and pervasive.
• For all the simplicity that iTunes is, the person still had an issue of finding the music they wanted; and music that was mostly free and didn't cost much (if anything). Music is a driver to get online, especially mobile, but the fact that it costs for every little thing can be a limiting factor in some situations.

Its not a total view. The person will be fine once they get the hang of things. Some things won't change though, like the perception of privacy. But other things will, like accessing and using the Bible nearly anywhere.

Its a view of mobile tech that I get to see a lot of, but not always from the very bottom of mobile use. It will be interesting to see this person evolve as a person who engages with mobile tech. And then where they will be an influence to people around them because of what they learn.

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Labels: community, iPod, iPod Touch, mobile, mobility, tech