Android Beta 2 is now posted!
Jun 10th
Beta 2 for BibleReader 4.5 is here! In addition to the new user interface and split windows we have added synchronization to OliveTree.com and Evernote, annotation conversion, and more highlighter functionality. It also fixes many crash bugs and inconsistencies in behavior. To download go HERE.
Update to the Portuguese Bible: Nova Versão Internacional
Jun 6th
Though not a new product we’ve had so much interest in the Nova Versão Internacional that our Content Engineering department decided to give it and update to restore it to its original format.
Some of the main changes are:
- Poetry formatting has been restored.
- Chapter and section headings have been centered and now have whitespace above and below.
- Extra hyphens that appeared in the old text have been completely eliminated.
- Small caps have been restored when referring to the Lord (“o Senhor”).
- The notes have been versified.
- Verse references in the notes are now tagged.
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Apesar de não ser um produto novo, tivemos tanto interesse na Nova Versão Internacional que decidiu actualizá-lo e restaurá-lo ao seu formato original.
- Formatação de Poesia foi restaurado.
- Títulos de capítulo e seção tem-se centrado e agora tem espaço em branco acima e abaixo.
- Extra hífens que apareceram no texto antigo foram completamente eliminados.
- Capitalização foi restaurado ao se referir ao Senhor (“o Senhor”).
- As notas foram versified.
- Verso referências nas notas agora são marcados.
Android 4.5 Beta Release Notes
Jun 1st
Yesterday we released the first public beta version of BibleReader 4.5 for Android. This is a huge step forward, and we are very excited about the beta, the reception we have received and our upcoming Market release. While we don’t have the rest of our usual documentation or support behind this, I wanted to take a few minutes and post some of the highlights in this release.
First, you can’t help but see the great new User Interface. I love the new look and feel! It brings the familiar and usable iOS interface, and adds in a number of small changes that make it fit very well into the Android platform. If you tap on the main window, you will get the main tools laying over the top of your window, where you can find the Library button, that changes the book you are reading, the Go To button, that changes your location in the current book, and on the right are the Search, History and Ribbon buttons. You can also get to Search through the hardware search button if your device allows.
If you have never used the iOS versions of BibleReader, you may miss the split window divider at the bottom of the window. Just grab the two little horizontal lines at the bottom (they will turn blue when you have them) and drag upwards. Personally, I think this is the biggest jump forward in the new version, as it allows you to have a Bible and commentary open at the same time, or perhaps the Strong’s definition of the word you tapped in a Strong’s Bible in the main window. Don’t forget that we have the KJV Strong’s Bible available on the Android Marketplace for only $5.99 (https://market.android.com/details?id=kjvs.biblereader.olivetree). The Split Window is a huge jump forward for Bible reading on Android, and one of the primary things that sets this new version apart.
We have added highlights and ribbons to our already existing bookmarks and notes feature set. Collectively, the annotation system is a big new addition too. Ribbons are a new feature, recently introduced in BibleReader 5 for iOS, that basically serve the same purpose as the ribbon in your paper Bible. It’s a transient bookmark that can be added by just tapping the icon, and then removed just as easily by tapping it again. Where it’s better than a physical ribbon is that you can add lots. If your small group is working through one passage, your devotionals another and your church sermons yet another, you can have a ribbon for each one. You can always get to your ribbons (and all your annotations) through the My Stuff button in the main menu. To add highlights, bookmarks or your own notes, just tap the verse number, and choose the one you want. We do not have an ability at this time to select individual words, or multiple verses. Both of these features are on our list, and we’re working as fast as we can!
Also coming to the My Stuff screen is the Sync and Backup feature. You will be able to create a note (or bookmark, highlight or ribbon) on your Android phone, and synchronize it to our server, https://sync.olivetree.com and then pull it down onto your Xoom, iPad, iPhone or whatever other device you may have. We’re really excited about this, and it is coming in 4.5. It’s not in the public beta because of a last minute bug, but we’ll add it in soon again.
There’s so much more I could go on about, but I should probably get back to programming… those features and bug fixes aren’t going to program themselves. 
If you have feedback or bug reports, please send them to androidbeta@olivetree.com, or use the Feedback button in the menu in-app. Just remember, the more info you give us, the better we can reproduce what you’re seeing.
To leave comments please visit our Facebook Page
Android BibleReader 4.5 Beta is Here!
May 31st
The wait is over! Check out the BibleReader 4.5 Beta for Android!
You can find it here: http://olivetree.com/m
Please send any feedback to androidbeta@olivetree.com.
Enjoy, and look for the production release of BibleReader 4.5 for Android to come soon!
Coming Soon…Android Beta
May 10th
Well, we have some fun news to announce today. Our new Android BibleReader will have a beta available for download by May 31! Remember, this is a beta, so you can expect to find a few bugs, but for those of you anxiously chomping at the bit to find some more usability then I would encourage you to check it out.
4.5 update
- New User Interface
- Split Screen
- Annotation Sync (Notes, Bookmarks, Highlights, and Ribbons)
4.5.x Update
- Pop Up windows
5.0 Update
- Resource Guide
- User Interface Refinement
5.0.x Update
- Daily Reading Plans
- Learning Center
To leave comments please visit our Facebook Page
Future popup window ideas…what are your thoughts?
May 6th
We are considering a new popover for our parsed text in the iPhone & Android platforms. This would include resources such as the CWSB and GNT Parsed. These diagrams are “wireframes” and not actual polished screens. I am not sure if the screens for the iPhone are trying to cram too much into a small space or if they are pushing information too “deep”. Please post your comments to our Facebook Page.
Here is how the original language parsed text popover would look on tablets.
Here is how the original language parsed text popover would look on smartphones.
A few issues to consider with this on popovers is that the definition is still a click away (it is a click away with the current popover). Not all of the parsing information will always fit and so it will be linked to with a more button.
Here is how the CWSB would work for a smartphone.
Here is how the CWSB would work on a tablet.
Please post your comments to our Facebook Page.
Christian Leadership Alliance Annual Conference
Apr 22nd
Next stop for Olive Tree…Dallas! Last week I had a great time manning Olive Tree’s booth at the Gospel Coalition in Chicago and if you get a chance… download some of the great sessions! Next week, the Christian Leadership Alliance Annual Conference kicks off on Tuesday (April 26) with main speaker, Dr. Chuck Swindoll. If you’re attending, be sure and stop by our booth and say, “Hi!” I’d love to answer questions or show you the latest features of BibleReader.
Below is a slightly fuzzy picture of our booth last week in Chicago.
Stay connected with our Facebook page!
Fascinating Facts about Jesus’ Death & Resurrection
Apr 18th
Click to view resource
Jesus fulfilled more than 100 Old Testament prophecies during his life on earth.
Of those, 24 prophecies concerned specifics about the way he would die.
For example:
• He would be a Passover sacrifice and none of his bones would be broken
• He would be hung on a tree and his hands and feet would be pierced, indicating a death by crucifixion
• His executioners would cast lots for his clothing
• He would be betrayed by a friend
• He would refuse to answer those who accused him falsely.
Any one of these individually might not be conclusive, but put together the 100 prophecies, and they form a strong argument for Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Imagine having the entire list of 100 prophecies at your fingertips—just as close as your mobile device.
You can download it right now. Click Here to download.
BONUS:
Along with the 100 Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus, you’ll also get —
• 50 Archaeological proofs that the New Testament is accurate.
• 8 Reasons we believe the Gospels are reliable
• Evidence that the Dead Sea Scrolls show the accuracy of Bible translation over the centuries
• 10 answers to skeptic’s questions about the Bible
Why Trust the Bible contains—
• Dozens of illustrations, photos, and diagrams
• Charts
• Time Lines
• Maps
Have it on your mobile device all the time. Perfect for conversing with skeptics or just for your own information.
Like this? Comment on our Facebook page.
Android Preview
Apr 1st
Alright! Here are some preliminary renditions of the new Android BibleReader. If you have any thoughts, please leave your comments on our Facebook page.
Leave your comments on our Facebook page.
Latest Update Now Available on iTunes
Mar 28th
Click for details
Among several new features, we’ve brought back the multiple verse copy! You can also now set a default Bible translation for any verse hyperlinks.
NEW FEATURES
* Multi-verse copy when you select copy from a verse hyperlink
* On the iPad the library quick popover for the main window now has an all tab
* The library list view now has a tab at the top for all books, recently opened, and favorites.
* On the iPhone and iPod touch when you tap on the library on the main window it now goes straight to the full screen library.
* View note list by categories in split window on the iPad
* Sorting annotations by verse shows verse reference as subtitle item (rather than the date) and sorting by title shows content as subtitle.
* Bookmarks now store the first few words of the text they reference if book/chapter/verse based.
* Date references for annotations now show proper time based on local timezone.
* Lots more icons for notes.
* New default Bible setting for verse hyperlinks (advanced settings->Hyperlink Settings->Default Bible for Hyperlink)
* There is now a sermon section in the resource guide
* Charts and images now have a root level sections in resource guide
* Added Gesture Setting action for toggling toolbar. This is helpful for texts with lots of hyperlinks on the iPhone and iPod touch.
BUG FIXES
* Simply viewing a note no longer causes the updated date to change.
* Fixed large white space gaps at end of chapter
* Fixed a bug where doubled headings would sometimes appear on backwards scrolling
* Fixed a crash when tapping on the back arrow on popovers
* Fixed a bug where sometimes first line of chapter was missing
* A few more fixes for mixed right-to-left and left-to-right text
* Other small bug fixes
* Some performance and memory improvements.