Windows 8 & Windows RT Explained
Microsoft is officially launching its new Windows 8 operating system on Friday, October 25, 2012. This is a brand new and completely redesigned operating system from Microsoft. It will be available for upgrade on computers that are currently running Windows 7, Vista and XP and it will come standard on some new PCs. There are also tablets that run the Windows 8 operating system.
Microsoft will also debut its Windows RT operating system which looks and functions like Windows 8, but is not in fact the same thing. Windows RT is essentially a “lite” version of Windows 8 meant to run smoothly and conserve battery life on the new Windows tablets like the Surface. I’ll spare you the exact details of the differences between these two separate systems and just send you here if you are interested in learning more about it: Windows 8 vs. Windows RT: It matters. Let’s explain.
Olive Tree’s Windows Apps
With the variety of devices and computers floating around out there running a variety of Windows operating systems, I want to clarify a few things about the Olive Tree Windows apps.
Windows 7
We have a full-featured Olive Tree Bible Study app available for computers running Windows 7. You can download it by visiting our website at https://www.olivetree.com/pc/ and clicking on the “PC Download Now” icon. This app includes features like highlighting, the Resource Guide, and supports a majority of the titles available from the Olive Tree store.
Windows 8
There is an Olive Tree app called Bible+ available for Windows 8. The Windows 8 app is a much simpler version of our Bible Study app. That being said, our Windows 8 app features some cool functions like the Search Charm and a smooth design. We will be building up this platform in the future, but for now the Windows 8 app does not offer highlighting, note-taking, sync, or the Resource Guide and has a limited number of titles available for purchase and download. It is important to note that Windows 8 currently runs legacy applications from Windows 7, which means that you will be able to download and install the Windows 7 version of the Olive Tree Bible Study app onto your Windows 8 device.
Windows RT
We now have an app available for Windows RT. The Olive Tree Bible Study app for Windows RT is the same as the Windows 8 app and has the same features and limitations. Please be patient with us as we work to build and develop our app for these new platforms.
Windows Phone
We do not currently offer a Bible Study app for Windows Phone, but we are still seriously considering building for this platform. We will announce any new developments in this area as we learn more about the way the different Windows operating systems work together.
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#2 written by Linval 6 months ago
I’m liking the WIndows 8 app…simple, but effective. Just wondering if we will eventually be able to sync our libraries to it? That to me would elevate it to the next level. I’m also guessing that since Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 are using some similar software that to port across a mobile one would be that much closer the more you refine the desktop app. Hey…I’m just saying… Keep up the good work!
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#3 written by Josh 6 months ago
I can’t blame you, what with ROI and all, but I was so sad to learn that you guys were abandoning the Windows Phone platform when WP7 came out.
Please tell me that you will leverage the cross-platform development tools to bring Bible Reader to WP8!!It’s not like you owe anybody anything, but as a long-time Windows Mobile user that supported you as you got your start, I’d really like to see you back in the Windows Phone fold.
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#5 written by Gnat 6 months ago
Although a Mac user, lack of fully-featured (Strong’s, notes sync etc) Olive Tree is the big blocker for me considering a Windows RT tablet (and lack of a 7″ tablet, but that’s another story). I’d love to see Olive Tree on Windows Phone 8 as well, as I’m planning that this will be my next phone OS – hopefully porting across will be easy.
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#7 written by Jason 6 months ago
I was so sad when I searched for the Bible+ app on my wife’s Surface but could find nothing. Then I looked at my PCs version. Ah, that’s why. No ARM support. I was already so disappointed when I upgraded from Windows Mobile to Windows Phone 7 to find that BibleReader was nowhere to be found. That was an app I had used every day and had plenty invested in. I moved over to YouVersion, which is free and has so many translations, but sadly none of my commentaries. It’s online only, and with a tablet, I need an offline bible.
I’m hopeful for the future version of OliveTree on Windows RT and WP8. I’m also hopeful that all my commentaries and purchases will be available on these new versions very soon.
Thanks for this blog post. I’ll be anxiously awaiting further information. -
#8 written by Paulo Gandolpho 6 months ago
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#10 written by Georges 6 months ago
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#14 written by Emerson 5 months ago
I want to add my vote to those requesting the reader on Windows Phone. I’m just buying a new phone & really want the Lumia – but not being able take along my Bible reader & library makes it tough. I’ve been using the Palm OS version for years but I want to get into the 21st century & hope you will go along.
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#15 written by Andreas 5 months ago
I want add my vote: I am seriously considering a windowsphone 8 device, but having no OliveTree BibleStudy App for this OS really is a big obstacle. I’ve been using it for only a few months, but I already don’t want to miss it. So please do consider adding a WP 8 App!
And it’s good to know that I can use the Windows 7 verison on Windows 8 as well thanks to this legacy thing.
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#17 written by Jake 5 months ago
Please, please, please make a Windows Phone 8 app. I love your software, and have used it since I had my Blackberry over 5 years ago! I have a Lumia 920, and I miss having your app!!! The Bible apps on Marketplace are seriously hurting, I know you guys would own the market with your own rendition! Just my humble opinion.
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#20 written by Scott 5 months ago
I just want to add my name to the list of people begging for a Windows Phone 8 app. I love the Bible Study app on my PC and on my Android Tablet, but I do most of my reading on my phone, simply because I always have it with me. Please, please publish a Bible Study App version for Windows Phone 8. Thanks!
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#21 written by Sheila 5 months ago
I’ve been a Bible Reader user since I owned a Palm PDA. When I moved to a Palm Treo running Windows my Bibles moved with me, I did not have to repurchase any books. I purchased some more Bibles while I owned the Treo. When I moved to an Android phone, all my Bibles moved with me.
When I move to Windows 8/Windows 8 RT will my Bibles move with me or do I have to repurchase all my Bibles?
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#24 written by James 4 months ago
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#25 written by Sonya 4 months ago
Please add my vote to the need for Windows 8 phone support. I have used the BibleReader at least 4 years adding new translations and commentaries along the way. Recently upgraded to Nokia 810 and Windows 8. Love the phone and OS but miss my Bible reader in hand. The combination Bible and study notes on same page is a favorite.
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I have been using your Bible Reader since you had versions that ran on the early Pocket PC’s, then Windows Smartphones, and then Android. I even worked with the development team as a tester for certain versions of the Windows Smartphones. Your product has always been the BEST offering of a reader and study resources. There is literally no one else that compares. PLEASE release a version for Windows 8 phone. It is a fast growing segment with both VZW and ATT aggressively promoting it. I am a Windows 7 / 8 phone developer and if you need anything from me to help … just ask. Thanks!!
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#28 written by Ryan 4 months ago
Just installed Bible+ down on my MS Surface. Nice features but would really like the ability to copy and paste into OneNote and keep the link to the passage for a quick reference. Would also like the ability make comments like MS Word. You could go one extra step and tag the comments and make those searchable as well!
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#29 written by Des L 3 months ago
I know that developing for a new platform is not easy. Thank you for allowing me to study in the Windows ecosystem. Likewise, Bible + and OneNote is my preferred combo.
All I can say is that I yearn for a more complete experience every time I use Bible+ for Windows 8. Please oh PELASE, keep the updates coming!
You guys are doing a fantastic job!
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#31 written by Tom 3 months ago
I have been using your software on my devices for many years and was extremely happy to see that I will be able to install it on my Surface when I get it this weekend. I cant wait for this app to mature and have the features I have come to rely on. Also glad to hear you are considering the Win 8 Phone platform too. Keep up the awesome work!
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#32 written by Alex 3 months ago
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#35 written by Mike Langrehr 3 months ago
I have been an Olive Tree user, supporter and advocate for a long time (windows phone audiovox) and I used to use it every day. I am very disappointed that the library I purchased over a long period of time is not available on WP8. I understand the economics of developing software for new systems but frankly I am tired of the slavishness to the now tiring IOS. Android is fragmented into multiple releases and must create a nightmare for developers because it is the glitchiest software you have ever put out. Microsoft has a huge market potential because their stuff does real work, even on the phone and while they are sometimes ponderous they do have a tendency to get it right and keep it right. I hope for an Olive Tree WP8 solution in the near future but frankly will keep looking for a good Bible app for my WP8 phone and when I find it I’ll be surprised if I come back to Olive Tree. Thanks for listening.
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#40 written by David 1 month ago
I’d like to see a Windows Phone Biblereader please. I’ve been using Olivetree on Windows Pocket PC and Mobile since the early days of Olivetree. I use an Original Languages pack on my WinMo 6.5 phone and also Bible+ on my Win8 tablet. But my WinMo 6.5 device’s days are numbered… I’d like to stay with Olivetree when I upgrade to Windows Phone.
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, it arrives. Thanks.
In understand the need for the limited feature set in the Windows 8 App as you revise the code for the new platform. But I hope you can release other versions for use on Windows 8 soon. You are the only company that produces a Bible Study program that includes versions like NRSV. But right now many of your versions cannot be used on your Windows 8 reader. I’m really looking forward to the day that I can use NRSV on Windows 8 (and really hoping for an RT and Windows Phone 8 version). I can survive with a limited feature set but would really like the NRSV.