This afternoon I uploaded PocketBible for iPhone version 1.0.0 to the App Store.
Now we wait.
Apple says it will take about two weeks. We’ll see. I know that uploading took me only 15 minutes, but that was after spending hours trying to find the right combination of options NOT to choose and titles I was NOT allowed to use for the program. So I’m not going to be surprised if approval takes longer than two weeks.
In the meantime we have a lot of work to do on the Web site to get it ready for the release. We’re going to try to make some changes to the way our e-commerce works at the same time. Hopefully we won’t break anything important.
I previously posted several videos of PocketBible in action. So if you’re curious, take a look at those.
One of the last things to come together was the program icon. We went through three major themes before finding a last-minute idea with promise. Our first idea was to lift the Bible icon from our Windows Mobile app. But when we looked at the 60 or more Bible apps on the iPhone, it seems over half of them had the same idea. So we were afraid we’d get lost.
So then we went with a version of our company logo. That had some fans, but suffered from being not very scalable as we release new programs (i.e. we only have one company logo but we expect to have more than one iPhone app). Plus it was boring.
While this was going on we had an artist work on a “Bible in a pocket” icon. The beta testers weren’t crazy about that one.
One of our testers is a fellow developer. He turned us on to his icon designer, who had the idea to used stained glass as a theme. We weren’t crazy about this at first but then I found a stained glass artist in Minnesota who had done some very contemporary looking work for a Lutheran church that seemed like it might work. We contacted the artist (Nicholas Markell) and he was willing to work with us. There were some interesting copyright issues, but Nick was a very reasonable guy and was pretty knowledgeable on the topic and we were able to work through those very painlessly.
So the program icon and splash screen (shown here) are based on a stained glass window entitled “Baptism of Jesus”. While the baptism of Jesus has little to do with our program, a little creative reinterpretation makes it work well. The Holy Spirit, represented here as a dove, illuminates the Scriptures for the believer. The water represents the “living water” (John 4) of the Word of God that gives eternal life through the cross, which is in the background of the image. Across the surface of the water runs the “scarlet thread of redemption” that ties the Bible together from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of Revelation.
In addition to the obvious symbolic significance of this particular work of art, there’s the bigger symbolism of stained glass in a Christian context. Beyond its obvious beauty, stained glass windows served a valuable purpose in churches: They taught the stories of the Bible to a largely illiterate population. For many people in medieval times, church windows were their Bibles.
We like the meta symbolism of the medium of stained glass representing the Bible, and the specific symbolism of this piece as it relates to studying the Bible with our program. And besides, it looks really nice on the iPhone.
It’s unlikely we’ll hear any good news until the program is approved. We’ll pass along any bad news we receive just to keep you informed. Until then we have plenty to do to get ready. We appreciate all your kind words and prayers.
One word: GREAT
been waiting for this since the iPod Touch first came out! Glad we are so close, thx for all the effort!
Okay Craig we are all excited about this soon release. I suspect others are like me–that is we are making up a new shopping list of books we want to add. There is some pent up demand here that I’m sure will be welcome reward to the folks at Laridian who have worked so hard. I know that this is contrary to business as usual but can you give us some buying advice as it relates to timing? No one likes to buy something only to find that the item goes on sale the next day. There have been some references to a kick-off promo and some special sales. Could you be so kind to tell those of us who have been faithful to this blog this last year whether we should buy now or wait until the product clears App store vetting and is available for use? Thank you for candor on this subject. We are truly excited–so is my wife !!
Beautiful Icon – Great Job (Again). And the eye-attracting icon will certainly make you stand out form all the other Bible programs in the app store – clearly shows the Laridian difference.
Looking forward to being a part of the word of mouth campaign at launch. I am confident that the first release will satisfy us all, knowing this is just the beginning!
Congratulations on seeing PocketBible for iPhone through to completion, Laridian. I hope your hard work is generously rewarded! MyBible for Palm has been a blessing to me for years, but I look forward to migrating to your new iPhone offering.
Regarding the logo, I like the stained glass concept. Any stained glass design should should look good on iPhone screens.
Thank you so much for your explanation of the stained glass logo it is really great! Congratulations to you and your team for a terrific job and I will be so happy to see it available for my 3GS my third platform for Laridian Bible software. I have a Palm Treo for business and have Laridian on it but when I saw this coming I purchased the iPhone primarily for this software.
John: We were just talking about this over lunch. There will be a site-wide discount sent out by email once we know that the app has been approved. Unless you have some other discount code you can use right now, it wouldn’t hurt to wait. The only small caveat might be server performance. We’re not sure what to expect.
I too am looking forward to the release from Apple. I keep checking the App Store, just in case.
We are blessed by all your hard work and pray that God richly rewards you with many jewels in your crowns in heaven and that he provides the finances you need now to keep up the great work.
In His Love, Pastor Steve Augustine
Hello from Australia.
I am living proof that anyone can be saved
If you told me 20 years ago that I would be hanging out for a bible program, I’d have laughed in your face
Thankyou Laridian, your software has been an essential part of my walk with the Creator
I, like everyone on this blog look forward to the blessings of your hard work
Craig – great comment.
Craig & team … now I feel guilty for doubting you. Greatly looking forward to getting back to my Laridian bibles and books. — BR
Well done! Cannot wait to load this app and take advantage of having all my purchased material available to me on my iPhone.
Awesome news! As someone previously mentioned, I am going to go find a resource or two to buy to celebrate getting the software!
Can’t wait for the iPhone app. I have used Pocket Bible for Windows Mobile for 5+ years and have a full library. Just switched to iPhone last month and tried the Pocket Bible internet product and found it hard to use and very slow since we don’t have the 3G internet here. So, the upcoming app will be a blessing. Keep up the great work. You guys are the best. God bless. By the way, I would not mind paying for the app as I know it costs a lot of $$$ to get it out there.
Craig, any possibility of creating a THANKYOU promotional code that adds $10.00 to the bill so some of us can reward you for the good work when we buy our next book? Thanks – André
Congratulations to you and your team. All the hard work will be worth it. Looking forward to the release date.
Any plans to release software for the Mac in the future, similar to the Windows desktop version?
I also would have no problem “donating” $ for this amazing free product. On the other hand, I can PROMISE that I will be purchasing way more downloads from Laridian immediately when that discount code is given when the app is approved. I already have a list of 5 items I was on the fence with purchasing (Robertson’s Word Pictures, Complete Word Study, Vine’s Expository, NIV Study Bible/Notes, Bible Maps)that I will be purchasing. It’s a “thank you” to Laridian for giving me a free product while also a great deal.
YEA!!!! Like so many Laridian fans, I too have been waiting patiently for this new release. I have been a loyal customer for many years and that is why I have not invested in one of the other programs available. I know how GREAT Laridians customer service is and what great products they put their names on. Thanks again to everyone at your company for all the hard work and effort that I know has gone into this long awaited program. I pray for great success for your company and for spreading the word of God.
I too am waiting anxiously. I have used MyBible since it came out in its developmental stages and have as of late been without your product for some months now. In the meantime I have used some other Bible apps downloaded from the AppStore and have found them wanting in their functionality. From your past performance and customer service I expect that PocketBible will far excel the capabilities of any other similar iPhone/Touch product on the market. Furthermore Pocket Bible will be a project that I am more than willing to donate to, 1 Tim 5:18. Your reasonableness of making previously purchased programs available for free in this new OS goes not unnoticed.
How will we convert our current account (pocketpc) to an iPhone device account?