Logos: Rising Above a Sea of Apps

I love a good giveaway! The day Apple announced the iPad we decided it was something we needed to provide an opportunity to win. I spent some time on Apple’s site that day—reading their copy and watching the videos—and thinking through the implications of a more accessible, mass-market tablet. I did smile at the promise of 140,000 apps at your fingertips, from day one. I wondered, “What percentage of those apps will actually add value to owning an iPad?”

When iPhone’s software development kit (SDK) was made available to third-party developers in February 2008 it allowed them to create applications to be sold through Apple’s iTunes store. On November 29th, 2008 Apple celebrated reaching 10,000 apps in the iTunes App Store. By June 10, 2009 they were just shy of 50,000. It is a little more than seven months later and there are 134,215 applications currently available for download from iTunes. By the end of this year there is a projection that over 300,000 apps will be available for download. The app industry is a juggernaut and—with the introduction of the iPad—it shows no sign of slowing.

It would seem the iPhone ad slogan, “There’s an app for that” could not be more true. In fact, there is probably a couple apps for that. With over 100,000 apps there is no question that quite a few similar styled apps are vying for your attention, loyalty, and dollars. And then there are applications for things that are . . . to be quite honest . . . dumb. One app promises that the various types of inaudible high and low frequencies emitted by the app promote blood circulation around hair roots and under the scalp encouraging hair growth. Another promises to use the iPhone’s vibration utility to vibrate your love handles away. SilentLogic Studios, a company built entirely around iPhone app development, has a little productivity gem that generates office sounds—paper rustling, mouse clicks, keyboard taps, coughs, and pencil sharpeners—so that you can sleep in your cubicle in peace.

In a marketplace where there is an ever-widening gap between high-quality and filler, Logos Bible Software’s iPhone app is one of those remarkable applications that delivers unique value, productivity and excellence. What makes Logos’ iPhone app even more exceptional is its unbeatable price point . . . free! Having an application that delivers important, constructive components and content already raises Logos into the upper echelon of developers for iPhone apps, but then being willing to give it away? Well, that’s something else entirely.

One can not help but be impressed with features like:

• Absolutely free access to most of the Bibles featured at Bible.Logos.com including great translations like the HCSB (Click for preview)
• Simple tap-and-hold functionality offers Greek and Hebrew word studies for many of the Bibles available (Click for preview)
• Compare biblical texts in various translations with the differences highlighted (Click for preview)
• Linked cross references that allow you to read windowed referenced texts (Click for preview)
• Relevant verses found instantly with Logos powerful search function (Click for preview)
• A custom Bible reading plan (Click for preview)

These are just some of the free features that come with downloading the application. And if you simply sign up for a free Logos account you instantly add over 30 free books like the LEB English-Greek Reverse Interlinear, Commentary Critical & Explanatory on Whole Bible, and Strong’s Concise Dictionary of the Words of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament.

That’s a lot of functionality and content for free. If that were all there was to the Logos app it would still be pretty impressive, awesome even—but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you are a Logos 4 user, the iPhone app becomes a sophisticated Bible study machine. Many of the books in your library will become available* on your iPhone. Logos 4 syncs your library on your desktop, laptop and your iPhone or iPod Touch. It saves your last location in each of your books allowing you to leave your desk and pick up right where you left while you are on the go.

Many of the features that make Logos 4 such a powerful tool are available to you wherever you are when combined with the Logos app. With any Logos 4 package, your iPhone is capable of more immersive Greek and Hebrew word studies, and your Passage Guide collates the most relevant information in your library for every passage you are studying. The possibilities for personal and academic study, as well as preparation for sermons and other ministry opportunities are endless.

It’s funny, deciding what apps and content you are going to put on your iPhone is a lot like deciding how you are going to fill up your day. There is no end to the opportunities and temptations to either add value to—or diminish the value of—your time. If you look hard enough you will find those little items that make things a little simpler and make your day a little brighter and, just like in life, the best of them are free.

*Currently there are almost 3,500 Logos Bible Software titles that will work on the iPhone. More titles are being added regularly as we secure rights and convert titles.