A month ago, Olive Tree Bible Software was kind enough to send me a review copy of their new BibleReader software for the BlackBerry Storm. Olive Tree provides not only the reader, but many translations of the Bible as well as commentaries and Bible Dictionaries and other resources for handheld use. Modules are available for purchase on the Olive Tree website, and can be downloaded over the air (OTA) to your device. The BibleReader software provides access to your Olive Tree account, and facilitates the download for all your purchased modules. Olive Tree BibleReader is also available on other handheld devices.
More after the break.
Olive Tree
I was given a review copy of the New International Version (NIV) and New Living Translation (NLT), as well as the The Bible Knowledge Commentary modules.
In my theological studies, I had relied heavily on the excellent Accordance Bible software for the Mac. Now that I have a Blackberry Storm, I was curious to see what kinds of Bible tools were available on the handheld device.
Olive Tree BibleReader displays the text in both portrait and landscape orientation, and scrolls the text with a swipe of the finger. At the bottom are four quick access buttons for Search, Bookmarks, Add Bookmark, and Menu. In the Menu you will find the Verse Chooser, access to your Library, your History, and other options. Search allows you to type in word or phrase you’re looking for, and specify the range of your search, whether you want the exact phrase, all words, any word, and so on. It also allows you to show the context of the verse, either a few verses or the whole context. The Search results are displayed with the phrase or words searched for highlighted, and you can go directly to the verse by clicking on the reference. A search for the phrase “back to life” returned 12 results in the NLT in about 15 seconds. The Verse Chooser brings up a screen with all the books of the Bible, and after selecting one you can quickly choose the chapter and the verse you’re looking for. Handy for going directly to a passage. Your History shows you all the verses that you have looked at previously.
The Library shows you what modules you have installed on your device, as well as access to the online Book Store. You can browse through various Bible Translations, resources and books. There are both free and paid books available, and you can simply choose the book you want and download it directly to your device from within the BibleReader software. It is well integrated and very convenient to be able to grab a new translation or commentary directly to your device. Paid books are handled through your Olive Tree account which you need to set up beforehand online. It makes the handheld experience of purchasing and downloading books much easier.
As a Bible Reader, Olive Tree BibleReader does an excellent job of displaying the text and giving you tools to find what you need. When you have a commentary installed, however, the software really shines. Switching from the Bible to the commentary will open the commentary to the exact verse that you are reading, making it a quick jump from the text to the commentary, without any re-entering of the Scripture reference required. Smart and efficient.
A few minor UI quibbles:
- scrolling is inertial, like on the iPhone, but unlike the rest of the BlackBerry experience
- the screen buttons on the bottom of the main screen activate with touch only, not requiring a press, but they are the only interface elements that behave in that manner
- the forward and back arrows at the top right corner of the screen are very small, and hard to accurately activate on the Storm’s screen.
Overall, I am very pleased with the functionality and ease of use of Olive Tree BibleReader 4 for the Blackberry Storm. Aside from a few interface quirks, the software is stable and behaves as it should. If you’re looking for a Bible reader for your smartphone, you need to give BibleReader a try. Chances are there’s a version for your phone, and there are several free Bible modules and references available to get you started.
Reviewed:
Olive Tree Bible Software
BibleReader 4
Version 4.05.088 Storm
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