Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store
First Look: HANDiBIBLE for iPhone
As TUAW's own Robert Palmer noted a few weeks ago, there are over 20 Bible applications available for iPhone. Some require an Internet connection to query an online Bible database, while others store the text on the device.HANDiBIBLE (formerly Pocket Bible) is one of the latter apps, and is now available in the App Store (iTunes link). The developer, Jerry Beers, made an easily accessible (US$4.99) and usable Bible application and realizes that version 1.0 is just the start -- he welcomes feature requests.
At the present time, HANDiBIBLE provides an easy-to-use interface to a King James Version of both the Old and New Testaments. Readers pick which Testament they wish to read and a list of all of the books appears. Pick the book by tapping on it, and a set of scroll wheels appears which are used to set the Chapter and Verse. Tap go, and you're reading.
Since the developer has asked for feature requests, I'd suggest a word search mechanism and a New King James Version translation for readability. Despite these suggestions, HANDiBIBLE is a well-done and affordable Bible application for iPhone.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Flunky Carter said 1:15PM on 8-18-2008
Myek~!
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fishbert said 1:23PM on 8-18-2008
I've got a feature request: make it expandable with other bible versions... like the satanic bible. =)
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rich facial said 1:48PM on 8-18-2008
LOL!
I think its kinda funny to charge for something that is free from any church anyplace. Shouldn't the proceeds from this app go to charity?
David said 9:46AM on 8-19-2008
I was seriously about to type the same thing. The Satanic Bible gives real morals, unlike the Christian Bible.
sores said 1:44PM on 8-18-2008
Wow. that is really funny.
Thanks
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moo083 said 1:39PM on 8-18-2008
I have to say, I'm saddened by the lack of any Jewish Bible apps for the iPhone. As a Jew, I feel like most bibles (and I'm only referencing old testament here, not religion judgment) inaccurately translate things because they translate so they hear what they want, and not what is most accurate or most likely what was intended. These are all neat, but I want the same done with a Jewish translation. Sort of sad considering its the original translation.
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danny said 1:48PM on 8-18-2008
if you truly want to find a great Bible app for iPhone, look no further than the free LifeChurch.tv Holy Bible which does not require an Internet connection, includes practically every translation, offers various commentaries and community discussions, not to mention several languages, all for free.
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Michael said 1:53PM on 8-18-2008
Lifechurch doesn't offer a Catholic Bible.
That's a big hole.
I'd like to see a Jewish bible also.
Elam said 2:35PM on 8-18-2008
The Holy Bible app provided by LifeChurch.tv _does_ require a 'net connection. It downloads text from youversion.com.
They are said to be working on a version w/ multiple texts included, but the currently available App Store version requires a 'net connection.
~elh
Jeremy said 1:51PM on 8-18-2008
Of all the apps on the app store that *could* be reviewed, you choose to review a Bible? And why this Bible out of the four or so Bible apps that are there? Why not the Koran, which is also there?
You would be better off reviewing "books" as a category, and including some information on how these titles have been created, how others can create similar titles etc.
To review "a Bible" as if it was an *application* is not only a biased choice, it's just plain ridiculous.
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Michael said 1:55PM on 8-18-2008
Wow, ease up on the hater-aid...
Jimothy said 2:01PM on 8-18-2008
Yeah, if you're not going to review EVERYTHING, don't review ANYTHING! That'll make sense!
DonD said 5:37PM on 8-18-2008
Jeremy, perhaps you aren't a regular here on TUAW becuase they've been reviewing AppStore apps like crazy. It's not like this is the first thing they reviewed. In the last 7 days they reviewed at least 10 other apps:
1. Lenovo Olympics 2008 App
2. Evernote for iPhone revved to 1.2...
3. Play Free Bird! (review of iLightr)
4. SoundMeter for iPhone
5. Simplify Media for iPhone
6. Frotz brings text adventuring to the iPhone
7. Hands on with Watch It Change
8. First Look: Trip Cubby for iPhone
9. First Look: Edibles
10. First Look: MiGhtyDocs
Also, you'll note that the review is not about the book, but the application that allows folks to read the book. Stephen made no comments as to the Bible's contents, as a reviewer of the book would do.
Finally, lots of people read and study the Bible for many different reasons. Indeed, anyone who disagrees with Christianity and hopes to have an intelligent debate about it would do well to read at least some of the Bible so they know what they're talking about.
richard bone said 11:45PM on 8-18-2008
@ DonD -- an "intelligent debate" about Christianity is an oxymoron.
Lachlan Hunt said 6:54AM on 8-19-2008
@richard bone, "intelligent debate" isn't an oxymoron since it doesn't contain contradictory terms. ("Creation Science" is an example of an oxymoron). But having an intelligent debate about christianity with a christian is certainly exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.
Also, I think all of the bible apps in the store are just silly, and I certainly won't be wasting any money or bandwidth on them. I prefer to keep religion off my "Jesus Phone"! :-)
Aaron said 10:38PM on 8-19-2008
This is a blog. Not a government agency or a school. I think it's ridiculous to leave such a comment about reviewing a bible app. Why not get on to them for making this website only about Apple. Why are they leaving out Windows and Linux?
Come on. Really.
Ken Broughton said 1:55PM on 8-18-2008
I have a suggestion. If gay-bashing, women-hating, war-starting god-freaks can restrain themselves from posting propaganda about their hate manuals here, those of us who favour rationality will in turn restrain from posting reviews that criticise their contribution to child-suicide, mass-death due to diseases bred of deliberate cultivation of ignorance and denial of access to proven infection restriction devices, and all the other evils for which they are directly responsible. Deal?
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Mash said 2:03PM on 8-18-2008
Come on Ken. Some misguided people have indeed done horrible things in the name of religion... but then millions have also died under secular regimes promoting "rationality" and "progress."
It's not that Christians or rationalists are bad people... humans will always distort something to give themselves more power, whatever it is.
puhsitch said 2:35PM on 8-18-2008
Ken, it's not religion that's bad, it's the people who exploit it. If religion somehow never existed, the evils of the world that folks associate with it would simply come from another source. People by nature are easily manipulated.
Don't hate the game, hate the player.
Jake said 1:56PM on 8-18-2008
Interface looks like it might work well as a slot machine too. Just add a third scroll wheel.
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