Logos - Please invest more in the mobile apps
Comments
-
I chose Logos because of the ipad app. I had been hanging back for 3 years while studying, because I knew that sitting reading books in front of the computer was not what I wanted to do. The ipad plus the app was a great solution - while out and about, waiting for this and that, I would be able to do my Greek study (particularly). What a bitter disappointment when after I'd forked out hundreds of dollars (for Logos and the ipad!) I found that I couldn't access many of the things I needed while offline! (Morphology / definition of selected Greek words not available offline is particularly sad, something that I often want access to). I barely use my desktop version. To hear that lack of a few dollars is a reason given seems ridiculous - what is $10 or $20 more when the overall cost of Logos is in the hundreds and thousands?
Bob wrote "Yes, some people do buy the desktop software so they can use the books on the mobile device, but it's just a small fraction of our customers (and thus, of our revenue)." I wonder how he justifies his view that it is a small fraction? I was not asked, when I purchased Logos, whether I was intending to mainly use the books on the mobile device. If I had been asked, I would have said yes!
0 -
Naomi - First, welcome to the forums!
I wonder how he justifies his view that it is a small fraction?
I am pretty sure that Bob (the founder and owner of the company) knows (roughly) how many Logos users are on Windows, Mac, iOS & Android.
What a bitter disappointment when after I'd forked out hundreds of dollars (for Logos and the ipad!) I found that I couldn't access many of the things I needed while offline!
If you are very upset about it, call and ask for a refund (for the books, not the iPad [;)]). Logos is very generous with their refund policy. Personally, however, I think Logos has the best desktop and mobile app on the market.
0 -
Thanks Alabama24 for the welcome. :-) This forum business is certainly new to me and scary.
Yes I see now that of course it is possible to see the number of users who have both a logos membership and use the mobile app. I'm surprised that there are so few who currently have both. But his stats would not say the number of potential users of both. Maybe the health /growth of any competitor in the mobile app business would give such an indication.
Re refund, the decision I'm referring to was not those made on the individual books, but the one I made to purchase the whole system, which I assumed included the mobile app. It is a completely different issue to get a refund of everything (even if it was available) that I've bought because I was disappointed that the mobile app didn't have the functionality that I thought it did. Every book that I've wanted I've been able to download to my ipad. It is the other stuff - the bookmarks working strangely, not being able to flick between books and find my way back, no highlighting, no noting, and what I mentioned before: the morphology not available off line.
Just recently there was an upgrade to the mobile app. Yay! We can now highlight and note and find our way through history better. Fabulous! But... there is a little more to go.
0 -
Naomi, you might like to try a remote desktop app such as LogMeIn. I use this for original language work, where I want popups and the information pane. I can see Logos on my PC from my iPad.
I was using this even more, but the latest version of Logos for iPad is now good for reading most things.
0 -
Thanks Alabama24 for the welcome. :-) This forum business is certainly new to me and scary.
Likewise Welcome [:D]
Thankful for many friendly forum discussions; have learned a lot plus have a lot to learn.
On 15 Mar 2012, Bob Pritchett (CEO) replied about Android development => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/46971/349397.aspx#349397
On 4 Mar 2012 Bob Pritchett's reply => http://community.logos.com/forums/p/38483/345521.aspx#345521 included:
Soon, 90% of "computer use" will be phones, tablets, and appliances. Our old customer base will be just 10% of the market.
The good news is that in absolute numbers, the desktop / technical audience is bigger than ever. It's just being dwarfed as a percentage by all the new "computer users" who have entered the market.
With Apple selling 3 million new iPad's on opening weekend in stores; anticipating more Logos use on iPad's. Suspect iPad will be primary tablet, with Amazon's Kindle Fire being next. Wonder when Logos mobile app installations on iPad's will number more than Logos 4 installations ? (suspect soon if it has not already happened)
Just recently there was an upgrade to the mobile app. Yay! We can now highlight and note and find our way through history better. Fabulous! But... there is a little more to go.
Vyrso 2.1.0 app already available, watching and waiting for Bible! 2.1.0 app.
Personally dreaming about more Logos features on an iPad, especially offline (airplane) use. Looking forward to Logos Bible Software improvements on all platforms.
Keep Smiling [:)]
0 -
I was going to start a thread, but I thought I'd start here. Okay, so if I understand this, there is currently no way to get definition/morphology information on Logos for iPad while offline?
0 -
I was going to start a thread
Generally, thats a good idea unless your post directly ties to the original post. [:)]
Okay, so if I understand this, there is currently no way to get definition/morphology information on Logos for iPad while offline?
Correct. This info is pulled from the Logos servers and the function is not performed on the iOS device.
0 -
OK. That's frustrating. I'm using it for my Hebrew Exegesis course but the WiFi signal is really poor since we have to meet in a lower level classroom.
Has there been any word on that being available offline like the desktop version?
0 -
-
OK. That's frustrating. I'm using it for my Hebrew Exegesis course but the WiFi signal is really poor since we have to meet in a lower level classroom.
Has there been any word on that being available offline like the desktop version?
Depending your package see if you have Analytical Key to the Old Testament (4 vols.) in your library. It parses every word in the Hebrew Bible, and includes links to the words in BDB which includes links to TWOT (main lexicons you can access on your iPad.
You could have your BHS open on top and the Analytical Key to the Old Testament open on the bottom. Download BDB and TWOT as well and you should be set for your class.
0 -
I suppose this is a work around if you are desperate, but this resource is not included in any of the packages, and so for most of us after investing hundreds if not thousands in resources, this solution requires another 280.
I know the company believes mobile use is a small fraction of their base. I'm sure there is a basis for it. Someone from the company should read the Innovators Dilemna by Clayton M. Christensen. They may then understand that they are a legacy company, and are at signficant risk of being left completely behind by new entrants that are not bound by PC thinking. Just this morning the WSJ noted the deep problems both Dell and HP have as their PC sales are declining signficantly. Whatever the basis for the companies belief on this matter, it doesn't pass the smell test. I want them to succeed, especially as I have a lot of money invested now, but I'm not hopeful as long as they do not realize the seriousness of missing the next curve.
0 -
I know the company believes mobile use is a small fraction of their base.
Quite the contrary. Logos does know that mobile apps are very important and they have invested quite a bit. Personally, I would like to see even more in the mobile platform and they are moving in that direction.
It is important to realize that this thread was started nearly 2 years ago!
What solution are you looking for, by the way? You didnt post earlier.
0 -
Bob wrote "Yes, some people do buy the desktop software so they can use the books on the mobile device, but it's just a small fraction of our customers (and thus, of our revenue)."
Just a quick comment. This statement suggests that the war may already be lost. With the explosion of mobile devices, if Logos is not a significant part of that market then this is evidence they are being left behind and may never catch up because many mobile users are doing Bible study on those devices. Just sit in any coffee shop. It's really hard for a company to make the paradigm shift to a new platform (and many of the issues are perception issues, as well as technical issues).
0 -
Bob wrote "Yes, some people do buy the desktop software so they can use the books on the mobile device, but it's just a small fraction of our customers (and thus, of our revenue)."
Just a quick comment. This statement suggests that the war may already be lost. With the explosion of mobile devices, if Logos is not a significant part of that market then this is evidence they are being left behind and may never catch up because many mobile users are doing Bible study on those devices. Just sit in any coffee shop. It's really hard for a company to make the paradigm shift to a new platform (and many of the issues are perception issues, as well as technical issues).
That comment of Bob's is from 2010. What may have been true then, doesn't apply now. Since 2010, Logos has enhanced the iOS app for iPad and added an Android app, created the Vyrso reader to reach a different market, and introduced the FaithLife Study Bible. All for mobile. It seems most of Logos recent product announcements have been mobile. So I think this thread needs to go away. Old threads like this just contribute to confusion.
MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540
0 -
Just this morning the WSJ noted the deep problems both Dell and HP have as their PC sales are declining signficantly
PC sales have been in decline for sometime hence IBM's decision to exit this space some years ago, if you look around corporates you'll find that what has happened is that first there was a move from desktop/tower PCs to notebooks of various sizes some ironically called desktop replacements! There remained however a number of users/functions that needed desktops/towers to run the applications they needed to use. The result was a decline in the requirements for desktop/towers followed by a stabilising of the demand at a lower level because there will typically be some applications that are easier to use/better suited to the desktop/power PC, as antiquated as some now think it is.
The challenge for Dell/HP is that in parallel with the move of users from desktops/towers a number of users started moving to tablets (iPad/Android) as they discovered that you don't need a notebook to check your eMail and use a few web based applications. Factor into this the resurgence of Apple and the amazing number of corporate professionals that use Apple hardware to run a Microsoft OS and Office Suite and suddenly the notebook market that should have been growing because of the move from desktops/tower is also shrinking as more and more mobile users learn to function without one. Over the next couple of years we'll also see the notebook market stabilise around a set of users who need the notebook to run the applications that they need to function.
It seems likely that the tablet will become the low end device of choice for mobile and 'light' users assuming that we don't get some other technology that supersedes it.
The question to ask is where does Logos sit best as an application:
Desktop - well it certainly benefits from the power and with a large library, multiple Windows and other applications like Word, EverNote or PowerPoint open is a prime candidate for this platform...
Notebook - on a 19" wide screen with a second monitor attached I have created a semi portable solution that works for me, not as good as a desktop but enough space to get the job done at home and survive away from home.
For PCs in general I suspect that we will see lower demand but higher prices, especially for higher end systems that will become more specialist/niche like desktop replacement notebooks.
Tablet - I have yet to decide which tablet works for me and whether I will move to one, actually it is more like when. I use the Android Logos application on my phone and its great for reading, OK for note taking but not really a great study tool. I would put it on a par with the early DOS based Bible Software that I used. Sure things will be better on a 10 inch screen but Logos, EverNote and the keyboard on a single screen (once split screen becomes a norm) sounds a bit crowded to me plus I'm not sure how well it will manage my 20GB libraray.
On the plus side, the Logos drive towards greater delivery from the cloud does mean that complex searches can be completed on the server reducing CPU requirements and increasing battery life. The downside is what do I do when I am in a location with poor Internet and I really need a resource that I have not yet downloaded and to perform a couple of 'quick' searches. These will remain very real challenges for sometime yet.
I am sure that Logos have already have a good understanding of their existing and prospective customers and they know that for most users the primary machine used for Logos 4 will be a PC or Mac for the foreseeable future but that their will be an increasing demand for tablet based functionality so that these devices can be used for reading, presenting, gathering thoughts and some basic research. I think that it is highly unlikely that anyone is going to purchase a Scholars Platinum license and use it on an iPad only.
I agree that in a fast changing world that Logos need to keep their eye on the ball but right now I don't believe that the mobile platform is ready to be more than an extension of the 'real' Logos on PC or Mac.
God Bless
Graham
Pastor - NTCOG Basingstoke
0 -
I suppose this is a work around if you are desperate, but this resource is not included in any of the packages, and so for most of us after investing hundreds if not thousands in resources, this solution requires another 280.
I know the company believes mobile use is a small fraction of their base. I'm sure there is a basis for it. Someone from the company should read the Innovators Dilemna by Clayton M. Christensen. They may then understand that they are a legacy company, and are at signficant risk of being left completely behind by new entrants that are not bound by PC thinking. Just this morning the WSJ noted the deep problems both Dell and HP have as their PC sales are declining signficantly. Whatever the basis for the companies belief on this matter, it doesn't pass the smell test. I want them to succeed, especially as I have a lot of money invested now, but I'm not hopeful as long as they do not realize the seriousness of missing the next curve.
I wasn't sure when you had purchased you package, in the past it was part of base collections. That's why I suggested it. But I can see why you wouldn't want to purchase it on its, I wouldn't do that either.
0 -
Whatever Bob's feelings where in 2010, I know he is at least telling people (read me) that mobile is a significant part of their plans going forward. I both interviewed him for my column a few months ago and then had a personal conversation with him in which he assured me that he was working very hard at making logos on all mobile platforms a great experience. I believed him then and still do now.
Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
Brushy Mountain Baptist Association0 -
I agree that in a fast changing world that Logos need to keep their eye on the ball but right now I don't believe that the mobile platform is ready to be more than an extension of the 'real' Logos on PC or Mac.
It may not be ready, yet. However, given the acceleration in processing power/memory, we are fast approaching the death of the traditional desktop computer. A company like Logos would do very well to anticipate this to the extent of being ahead of the curve. And ignores this tend at their peril.
“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” ~Chesterton
0 -
It may not be ready, yet. However, given the acceleration in processing power/memory, we are fast approaching the death of the traditional desktop computer. A company like Logos would do very well to anticipate this to the extent of being ahead of the curve. And ignores this tend at their peril.
Doesn't seem like they are ignoring it at all. Rather they are aggressively building their mobile and web-based platforms while not abandoning the desktop. While I wish they could go faster, it sure seems like they have a good balance.
Jacob Hantla
Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
gbcaz.org0 -
So I think this thread needs to go away. Old threads like this just contribute to confusion.
[Y]
Jacob Hantla
Pastor/Elder, Grace Bible Church
gbcaz.org0
