We often get asked about what we are working on. While you can be sure we are always working, and that our work probably involves some version of PocketBible, we understand you may be interested in a more detailed explanation of what is going on behind the scenes. It is in that spirit that we are going to try something new with an occasional post on what’s in the pipeline for apps and books.
You’ll notice we don’t talk about release dates. We’ve been in this business for a long time and have learned that our best-laid plans often go awry. In fact, in the software business, that’s the rule rather than the exception. So we don’t spit into that wind nor tilt at those windmills. We’re pursuing the goals you see below at our best pace and will release new books and updates to our apps as soon as they’re ready.
Apps
- PocketBible for Android – we are currently working on the ability to add personal data (notes, highlights, bookmarks, etc.) to the program. Our current focus is on adding highlights to Bible verses. We plan to release that with the ability to synchronize your highlights between devices as soon as its ready. Next up will be bookmarks and notes.
- PocketBible for iOS – we are integrating the continuous synchronization of your notes, highlights, and bookmarks with the Laridian cloud that we originally created for Android.
- PocketBible for Windows Phone – version 2 was just released. Send us your suggestions for enhancements.
- PocketBible for Windows Store – version 1 was just released. Send us your suggestions for enhancements.
Books
Here’s what our editorial team has in the queue for you (not in any particular order):
- Adam Clarke Commentary
- John Gill Exposition
- Wesley Study Bible (Abingdon)
- Pocket Dictionary of the Reformed Tradition (IVP)
- Too Busy Not to Pray (IVP)
- Dictionary of Biblical Imagery (IVP)
- Hard Sayings of the Bible (IVP)
- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
Disclaimers: All this is subject to change in priority, feasibility, copyright licensing, etc. That means we reserve the right to never release these features or books. We are sharing with you the current plan which is written in sand, not stone. Also, just because something is not on this list doesn’t mean we are not considering it. Finally, we are open to your requests, suggestions and comments!
We’re happy to announce that version 2 of PocketBible for Windows Phone is now available for free download at the 
Windows 8 users, this one’s for you! We are pleased to announce the availability of PocketBible on the
New for PocketBible: Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines
Based on Bible studies that were originally designed for use with Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s own church, the studies were put in book form after many years of being tested “in the field.” They are ideal for personal study as well as for use with Sunday School classes and Bible study groups that want to examine God’s Word in a systematic manner.
The volumes can be purchased separately for the Old Testament or New Testament or as a bundle of both.
Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of three churches, including the Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he served as general director and Bible teacher for the Back to the Bible radio broadcast.
Also available for use in PocketBible are Wiersbe’s Bible Commentaries. This set of commentaries is based on Dr. Wiersbe’s best-selling “BE” series.
Posted in New Books | No Comments »
Call for Testers: PocketBible for Windows Store
We are very pleased to be able to tell you that we are very close to releasing PocketBible for Windows Store!
At the moment we are looking for people to help us test it, to ensure that it is ready for release. If you would like to do so please join our group here.
In the meantime we’ll try and answer some questions that you might have:
When will the product be available in the Windows Store?
We are still working through the process of releasing the application and make sure that it is finished. Your testing will help us to decide when it is ready.
Does it have the same features as the iPad version?
Mostly. We have tried to implement the features that people will use most often. There are a few minor features that are not expected to be available in this first release, but we will be working really hard to try and add them in as soon as possible. Your feedback will be helpful in deciding the priority order.
Does PocketBible for Windows Store include synchronization?
Yes. This is one of the things that we will appreciate feedback on.
Are there any major features that are not available?
Just one really, selection of text is not yet implemented.
What will it cost?
As with our other platforms, we anticipate PocketBible for Windows Store will be free. As with PocketBible for Windows Phone there will be an advanced feature set that will be available for a small fee, so some of the features you see may require payment.
When will the beta be released?
It’s available now!
Which devices will it work on?
PocketBible for Windows Store can run on any device running Windows 8 or Windows RT, including Surface!
How will you take feedback?
We have set up a private mailing group that will allow you to give us feedback and discuss it with other testers. The developers will be reading this and will be able to interact with you to resolve any problems and take your feedback.
Posted in Call for Testers, Windows Store (RT) | 2 Comments »
Windows Phone: Call for Testers
Synchronization is such an important part of the product that we would like more testers to make sure it is ready for a full release. Please consider joining our test group here. The need for testers is immediate.
In the meantime we’ll try and answer some questions that you might have:
When will the updated version of PocketBible be available in the Windows Phone store?
We are still working through the process of releasing the application and make sure that it is finished. Your testing will help us to decide when it is ready.
Are there other new features in this version?
The main new feature is synchronization, there are other exciting changes which we are not ready to publicly announce yet.
When will the beta be released?
It is available right now if you participate in the beta testing.
How will you take feedback?
We have set up a private mailing group that will allow you to give us feedback and discuss it with other testers. The developers will be reading this and will be able to interact with you to resolve any problems and take your feedback.
Posted in Call for Testers, Windows Phone | No Comments »
PocketBible for Windows Phone now available!
PocketBible for Windows Phone is designed to help you read and study the Bible on-the-go. It comes with the KJV Bible and you’ll be able to choose from 40 additional Bibles and reference books to download after registration. You will also be able to use any Laridian titles you’ve purchased in the past in this new program. An internet connection is not needed after initial download.
The standard features included with the free version of PocketBible for Windows Phone allow you to install up to 20 books at a time and use them for reading and studying. You can also search through and bookmark your books. Advanced Features are available for $6.99 and allow you to download an unlimited number of titles, view multiple books at once, add highlighting and notes and more. Additional Bibles and books can be purchased for use with the program at the Laridian website.
Posted in New Products, News, Windows Phone | 17 Comments »
PocketBible for Android Now on Google Play!
This doesn’t mean we’re done working on PocketBible for Android. We set a goal for ourselves of having certain features implemented prior to release on Google Play and once that goal was reached we uploaded the program. But we continue to add features. In particular, we need to get notes, highlights, and bookmarks working in the program, along with tracking of your devotional reading progress. These features will be enhanced as compared to our iOS (iPhone/iPad) version, as your data will be kept in continuous sync with “Laridian cloud” instead of requiring you to stop what you’re doing and perform a sync operation manually.
The released version of PocketBible for Android on the Google Play store should install over your “alpha” version. You shouldn’t have to delete the program before installing from Google Play, nor should you have to re-download your Bibles and books when you’re done.
The new version includes built-in help, so the old blog article that contained operating instructions will be retired soon.
We want to thank those of you who have been using the “alpha” versions of PocketBible from our site. We’ve been able to eliminate most of the major show-stopping bugs with your help.
Going forward, if you need help with PocketBible for Android, contact Technical Support through the “Help Desk” link on our website.
Posted in Android, New Products, Product Updates | 74 Comments »
What is your ideal size for a mobile device?
I own an iPad and iPhone. I haven’t even held the mini let alone considered purchasing one. However, I have been drooling over the Galaxy Note to replace my iPhone for many months (so long in fact that the Note I wanted has become the Note II). Bottom line, I want a bigger phone. From Twitter to PocketBible, I like the bigger screen size of my iPad yet I don’t want to lug it around everywhere. So the solution in my mind has been to get a bigger phone like the Note.
Today I came across this article on ZDNET by Matt Baxter-Reynolds, “Has Apple redefined the tablet as an 8-inch device?” where he explains how he fell in love with the iPad mini and ditched his iPad. He makes a case for this middle size device becoming the new norm with the popularity of devices like the iPad mini, Google’s Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire. He’s got me thinking about getting a mini to replace everything!
What do you think? Could you live with one device for everything? What is your ideal mobile device size?
Posted in Industry Commentary | 33 Comments »
Study Bible or Commentary – which is better?
Think of study Bibles as the Swiss army knife of Bible learning. You get a little bit of everything but you sacrifice depth for breadth as compared to a single purpose tool like a commentary or Bible atlas. For example, the notes or commentary part of a study Bible are designed for quick insight into the Bible. There simply isn’t room for lengthy arguments about what everyone thinks a passage means as is done with multi-volume commentaries.
It’s easy to see the benefit of having a multi-volume commentary on your phone but what about a study Bible? There is still a weight factor to consider even with study Bibles! Wouldn’t you rather have a study Bible on your phone than carry around a mammoth book (even if it is only one volume)? Plus, study Bibles offer extensive cross-references which are more convenient to check with PocketBible.
One of the frustrations I have with study Bibles in general is that they don’t always have a comment on the verse I am interested in. Unfortunately, for brevity’s sake, most study Bibles won’t comment on every verse in the Bible. Thus, it is a good idea to have at least one verse-by-verse commentary in your PocketBible library. On the positive side, if you just want a quick understanding of what a verse means, study Bibles are ideal. You can check there first and move to a commentary for more information. In this way, your study Bible and commentary can work hand-in-hand.
We often get asked “which study Bible is best?” Rather than say one is better than the other, we suggest you consider things like the Bible translation it is based on, any unique helps it offers and how much of the Bible it covers. Here is a comparison chart of the study Bibles we currently offer that can help you make a decision based on those features.
Posted in Book Reviews | 5 Comments »
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