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PocketBible for Mac OS!!

Posted on: June 3rd, 2013 by Craig Rairdin 14 Comments

You’ve been asking about a version of PocketBible for the Mac for years — now’s your chance to make it happen! We’ve started a Kickstarter project to raise the funds necessary to create a version of PocketBible for Mac OS, and we need your help to reach our goal!

Kickstarter is a “crowd-funding” site that lets you pledge financial support to projects you believe in. In return for a minimal pledge, you get a reward. Our rewards start at the $25 level and go all the way up to $1000 ($5000 for our publishing partners). So, for example, for a minimum pledge of $100, you’ll get our 2014 Silver Edition PocketBible Library for Mac when it is released, plus you’ll get the “Advanced Features” add-on for PocketBible for Mac OS. Total value is a little over $100, plus you’ll have the benefit of knowing you helped make PocketBible for Mac OS happen!

You do not pay, nor do we receive any of the money, unless we reach our funding goal before the deadline of July 15. So you don’t have to worry about getting charged for an underfunded project that will never be completed. We’ve set a very modest funding goal of $28,500 mainly to verify that there is, in fact, a real market for PocketBible for Mac OS. If we reach this goal, we’ll kick in the balance of the funding it will take to complete this project.

If you pledge to the project, you’ll get regular project updates as we work on PocketBible for Mac OS. You’ll be able to “watch the sausage being made”, as they say. It should be interesting, and we’re really looking forward to having a version of PocketBible for Mac OS! We’re Mac users here, too, and it would be great to have PocketBible on our Macs!

You can read all the details at our Kickstarter project page.

If you want a version of PocketBible for the Mac, now is the time to make a pledge and support the project!

Updated: PocketBible for Windows Store

Posted on: June 1st, 2013 by Michelle Stramel No Comments

Windows 8 users, an update to PocketBible is now available on the Windows Store.

Enhancements to this Version 2.1 include:

Automatically update the application’s tile with the current book and position
Save and re-use multiple layouts, enabling you to save the layout (panes and books) exactly as it was and come back to it
New 3-pane layout option for convenient arranging of your books
Go to a bible verse by typing it into the verse table of contents flyout
Make multiple selections in the device library
Open one or more books directly from the device or cloud library application bar
Book selection context menu now displays the book titles sorted

Download PocketBible for Windows Store for free!

NOTE: Some of the features mentioned above may require the purchase of the Advanced Feature Set.

PocketBible 2.0 now available on the Windows Phone Store

Posted on: May 10th, 2013 by Michelle Stramel No Comments

We’re happy to announce that version 2 of PocketBible for Windows Phone is now available for free download at the Windows Phone Store.

For those using the standard edition of Windows Phone, you’ll find many usability enhancements including better images in the cloud library, being able to pause and resume downloading via buttons in the cloud library, improvements in back button behavior (set this to exit program if you’d like) and more.

For those using the Advanced Feature set with PocketBible for Windows Phone, a major new feature is the ability to synchronize your data including bookmarks, notes, highlights and reading progress with the Laridian server and other devices running PocketBible.

If you have a Windows Phone 8 device and are using Advanced Features you can take advantage of the great new voice capabilities of PocketBible. Have the program read Bibles and books outloud to you. Or use voice commands to launch PocketBible and open it at a specific verse.

Version 2 of PocketBible for Windows Phone is a free download from the Windows Phone Store. Advanced Features can be purchased from within the app for only $6.99.

Now available! PocketBible for Windows Store

Posted on: May 9th, 2013 by Michelle Stramel 23 Comments

Windows 8 users, this one’s for you! We are pleased to announce the availability of PocketBible on the Windows Store. Download it now for free!

PocketBible for Windows Store runs on devices using Windows 8 (includes tablets, laptops, desktops). We think you’ll find this an amazing new version of PocketBible with a true Windows 8 look and feel! PocketBible for Windows Store features include:

40+ Free Bibles and books with registration. Download past purchases of Bibles and books into the app at no charge. The 20 title download limit in the app can be exceeded with purchase of Advanced Feature Set ($6.99).
Move easily through Bibles and books by simply scrolling. Quickly move around the bible using an intuitive table of contents display
Quickly find any word or phrase
Split screen display
Mark your place with bookmarks
Share verses by Text, Email or Facebook
Use the daily reading feature to visually track your progress through a devotional book
Pin a book to your start screen!

We hope you’ll support continued development of PocketBible on this platform by purchasing the Advanced Feature Set for $6.99. Advanced Features include:

Highlighting of Bible text
Add notes to any verse of the Bible
Synchronize bookmarks, highlights and bookmarks with our server and your other devices that use PocketBible (and are able to synchronize)
Split screen into 2 to 5 windows
Download as many Bibles and books as you own (no limit but based on what you own)
Quickly access recent verses

If you are using Windows 8, we hope you’ll give PocketBible for Windows Store a try and let us know what you think!

PocketBible for Windows Phone now available!

Posted on: March 1st, 2013 by Michelle Stramel 17 Comments

We’re happy to announce that PocketBible for Windows Phone is now available for free download at the Windows Phone Store. This version of PocketBible works with Windows Phone 7.5 or later.

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.

NEW! Export, Share and Publish your PocketBible Notes, Bookmarks and Highlights

Posted on: October 16th, 2012 by Michelle Stramel 24 Comments

Are you a prolific note-taker, highlighter or bookmarker in PocketBible? We have wonderful news for you! We have a new option on our website that lets you instantly pull your personal data (notes, highlights and bookmarks) out of PocketBible for the purpose of sharing, re-purposing or turning into your own PocketBible book (with BookBuilder). Whichever you want to do!

Possibilities abound

Over the years, PocketBible users have asked for the ability to export their valuable personal data out of the program. Yes, you can now do this but we’ve taken it a step further. You choose whether you want to export your notes, highlights or bookmarks. With any of those three options, we provide you with an html file that you can:

Use as-is
Bring into a text editor and reformat and publish in a format for sharing (i.e. PDF, .doc, .txt, etc.)
Publish as a PocketBible book using Laridian BookBuilder program (sold separately)

What kind of book could you publish for PocketBible?

A dictionary of your Bible bookmarks, where each dictionary entry is a bookmark category.
A commentary based on your verse notes.
A dictionary of your Bible highlights, where each dictionary entry is a highlight color.

To encourage your self-publishing efforts, we’ve lowered the prices of both versions of BookBuilder:

BookBuilder Standard – was $29.99, now only $19.99
BookBuilder Professional – was $99.99, now only $49.99

There’s never been a better time to consider publishing a PocketBible book!

Getting Started

The first step is to synchronize your PocketBible data with the Laridian Server. A synchronization option is available in every version of PocketBible (except Android OS – still to come!) The second step is to login to your account on the Laridian website and choose the new My Data link. You’ll find complete information on what you can do with your data and how to do it.

Let us know what you think

We hope you like this new flexibility in using your personal PocketBible data. Is this something you will use? Let us know how you will share your writings in the comments below.

PocketBible is now free!

Posted on: April 18th, 2012 by Michelle Stramel 5 Comments

Now that we have made our PocketBible Bible software free (for every platform which we currently offer it), it is possible to enjoy and use PocketBible with no investment other than a little memory on your device. How do you get started?

First you need to choose a device type or operating system (OS). We currently offer PocketBible on the following platforms:

iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) – Start at the App store and search for PocketBible. Download the program to your device and register it the first time you go into the program. To download and install free or previously purchased Bibles and books, choose Menu | Add/Remove Books.
Android – PocketBible for Android is currently in an alpha or pre-release form but is still being actively used by many of our customers. Click here for step-by-step instructions to download. Once you register in the program, you can download free or previously purchased Bibles and books using the My Library menu option.
Windows PC – start at our website and order PocketBible for Windows for free. You’ll also need to add some Bibles and books to your account when you place your order to use with the program. Once your order is complete, we’ll send you a confirmation email with instructions to download and install your software.
Windows Mobile – not many people are still using these devices, but if you are, you’re in luck! Start at our website and order PocketBible 4 for Windows Mobile for free. You’ll also need to add some Bibles and books to your account when you place your order to use with the program. Once your order is complete, we’ll send you a confirmation email with instructions to download and install your software. (Note: This program will not work on Windows Phone 7 or later).
Palm OS – Technically, this is our MyBible software but it’s still free if you are using one of these older devices. Start at our website and order MyBible 5 for Palm OS for free. You’ll also need to add some Bibles and books to your account when you place your order to use with the program. Once your order is complete, we’ll send you a confirmation email with instructions to download and install your software. (Note: This software will not work on webOS – click here for webOS solution).

You can order and download the following Bibles and books for free: American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English, Darby’s New Translation, Geneva Bible NT, King James Version, Webster’s Bible, Weymouth Bible NT, World English Bible, Young’s Literal Translation, Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Scofield’s Reference Notes, Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, Easton’s Bible Dictionary, Nave’s Topical Bible, Hitchcock’s Dictionary of Bible Names, Torrey’s Topical Textbook, Condensed Bible Cyclopedia, 7 “Through the Bible” Reading Plans, Morning and Evening Devotionals by Spurgeon, Daily Light on the Daily Path, Works of Josephus (5 Volumes), Works of Augustine (5 Volumes), Imitation of Christ, and Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.

We also offer best-selling Bible translations such as New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLTse), English Standard Version, The Message and more. And popular reference material including NIV Study Bible Notes, Life Application Study Bible Notes, ESV Study Bible, Expositor’s Bible Commentary (NT), Vine’s Complete, Expository Dictionary of the Bible, New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, and more. You’ll find a wide variety of material starting at $7.99 each.

You will be able to use your Bibles and books on all your devices that work with PocketBible. For example, install PocketBible on your iPhone and PC and use your Bibles and books both places. You can use the synchronization feature to keep your notes, highlights, bookmarks and other personal data the same on both devices.

New for PocketBible and MyBible: Expositor’s Bible Commentary, New Testament

Posted on: April 2nd, 2012 by Michelle Stramel 3 Comments

We have released the Zondervan Expositor’s Bible Commentary: New Testament for use with PocketBible for iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Windows PC and MyBible for Palm OS.

As the name suggests, this commentary focuses on providing pastors and Bible students with a comprehensive and scholarly tool for the exposition of the Scriptures. Over the years, it has become a staple of seminary and college libraries and pastors’ studies worldwide. The New International Version (NIV) of the Bible (sold separately) provides the basis for the comments, but authors also refer freely to other translations and to the original languages.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: New Testament sells for $79.99.

New for PocketBible: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary Series

Posted on: March 29th, 2012 by Michelle Stramel 11 Comments

We released six volumes in the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary Series this week:

We had previously released eleven volumes in this series. You can purchase each volume separately for $19.99 or all seventeen volumes in one money-saving bundle, Cornerstone Biblical Commentary Series, for $249.99 (26% savings over purchasing separately). The books are available for use with PocketBible for Windows, iOS, Android and Windows Mobile.

This commentary series offers some unique features:

Comments are based on the New Living Translation Bible text (although you can use the commentary with any Bible in PocketBible). Many of the authors and editors of the commentary series participated in the creation of the NLT.
The commentary is recent scholarship (2006 to present – three volumes still to come).
Presents the message of each passage as well as an overview of other issues surrounding the text

We’re not virtual anymore!

Posted on: January 29th, 2012 by Michelle Stramel 11 Comments

If you’ve ever visited the About page on our website in the past, you may have read:

This is as close as you’re going to come to visiting our “facilities”. Laridian is a virtual corporation where employees work from their homes. Currently we’re spread out over three states. We rely heavily on electronic means of communication, though those of us working in our hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA frequently meet in person just to keep from going crazy, if nothing else.

Well, times have changed and we’d like to officially announce that we have left our home-based, coffee shop, Skype’ing days behind us for a physical location where we all work together in one office in Cedar Rapids, IA. Yes, there are a few unhappy coffee shop owners in the area but for Laridian it has been a great move. We all loved the perks of working from home (i.e. optional showering, work in your pj’s) but now, having tried the alternative, we have to admit that there are some definite advantages to working together in the same building. We’ve already seen improvements in productivity in every area of the company. And as far as communication goes, we only have to get up and take a short walk to find out what is going on with a co-worker. We’ve replaced our “virtual” reality with a “new” reality that isn’t half bad and might just be worth having to take a daily shower.

Why the change? Until this summer we had used a number of outside contractors and companies to create the books and Bibles that go into PocketBible. When this process was working, it worked well. But recently, two of our best outside contractors had changes in their situations that robbed them of the free time they were devoting to tagging books. As a result it was taking longer and longer to get finished books. So we decided to bring this operation in-house. In addition to having more control over the schedule, we thought it would be easier to manage.

When putting together the budget for the new employees, we decided to include office space, office furniture, computers, internet connections, and everything else we’d need to operate a “real” office. It turned out the cost wasn’t really that bad, and the benefit of having the new people sitting right next to seasoned veterans made training a breeze. So we rented some office space close to Craig and Jeff’s house, then hired the editors. The result is that you saw more new titles from us in the last quarter of 2011 than in some previous entire years.

Just this month, the last of our home-based employees moved into the office with us. Yesterday, we made it official by putting a sign up on the door telling the world (and the FedEx driver) we’re here. So you won’t find us out in the virtual world any longer – we’ve come down to earth and we hope it will be for your benefit.