iPhone Access to Books

I installed the core engine upgrade for Logos 4, but have not purchased an upgrade or crossgrade library. It seems that I am unable to sync my library, then, with my iPhone - i.e., it shows I have 504 books in my Logos 4 on my desktop (titles I have purchased previously), but only the standard "free" ones on the iPhone.

1. Is my understanding correct, that I cannot get access to my paid library without paying an upgrade cost, even though I have 4.0 installed and have purchased these titles?

2. Doesn't this run counter to Logos' traditional licensing stand, that once you buy the book, you own the book?

I am really impressed with the 4.0 software, and the iPhone app, but I'm having a very hard time to not feel disappointed and feel like Logos is significantly changing, for the worse, their business models and policies regarding upgrades, content licensing, and usage.

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Comments

Bob Pritchett

Yes, iPhone synchronization is a feature of the paid upgrades to Logos 4. It's designed to work with Logos 4's synchronization framework, and will eventually feature notes and more.

I'm sorry you're disappointed, but I don't think we're changing our model. We've promised you won't have to buy your books again, and that they would work on future versions of Windows. We've kept that promise; you don't have to pay to keep using your books. (You don't even need 4.0 to keep using your books. We're even doing maintenance releases on 3.0, and it should run for many years to come.)

We never promised -- and can't promise -- that you'll get the fruit of all our coding labor for free, in perpetuity. Because that's just not a viable business model.

I think that our app for the iPhone offers a lot of value and usefulness for free. It even gives you 30+ books. I know for a fact that it cost a lot to build, and we're giving it away, without breaking our promise to you one bit.

I think it's reasonable, though, for us to want some compensation when we go above and beyond our promise: when we build a completely new application, or support an alternate device that didn't even exist when many users bought their book licenses, etc. As it is, where we bundle incredible free content a few million dollars of software development into a $69.95 minimal cross grade, plus incredible iPhone functionality... all while not doing anything to your ability to continue to use (and get free support for) the version you bought... I think that's a pretty fair deal!

(For what's it's worth: the iPhone app actually increases our costs significantly; synchronization and web serving of users individual libraries, etc. requires large investments in bandwidth, computing power, and IT support. We keep increasing our costs while offering more free service...)

Bohuslav Wojnar

I think that's a pretty fair deal!

It is more than that and I thank you for doing it. I am really excited about the iPhone project. It is better I ever imagined. I see a great potential in that application. Thank you again and God bless you.

osubuxx

I may have misunderstood something I thought I understood - I thought I only needed to upgrade the engine to 4.0 in order to have my 3.0 resources show up on my iphone. After reading this, do I need at least the crossgrade to enable that? All of my resources are from the MacArthur CD's and last I read, these were still in negotiations for the iphone so I was not concerned.

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

I may have misunderstood something I thought I understood - I thought I only needed to upgrade the engine to 4.0 in order to have my 3.0 resources show up on my iphone. After reading this, do I need at least the crossgrade to enable that?

Access to all iPhone-supported books (that you have purchased for your desktop software) is only enabled in the iPhone application if you have purchased a Logos 4 ("LE") package, crossgrade, or the "minimal crossgrade".

James F. Kubecki

Bob, thank you for your thorough response. I think that a large part of my frustration initially was that with the initial announcements and blog postings, the exact availability of an engine-only upgrade and the availability of iPhone sync was not at all clear. I follow the Logos blog and Twitter feeds closely, and this thread was probably the first place I saw it explained succinctly. (Even the "minimal crossgrade" option on the Logos 4 product comparison page is easy to miss...)

I agree that the viability of free upgrades in perpetuity by itself would not be a viable business model. I just always assumed (perhaps wrongly) that Logos operated more off the "Gilette" model - sell the razor at a loss and make the money off of the blades. Or, in this case, give away Libronix and make money off of the content.

I'll be considering buying the minimal crossgrade or regular Logos 4 upgrade in the days to come. I just need to figure out if it will really add that much value for primarily the iPhone app, especially considering that my regular platform for Logos is a highly portable netbook.

Thanks again!

Greg Corbin

I got the iphone app four days ago. Got an upgrade to Logos 4 Silver downloaded and going strong today. However, the books on my iphone app are not syncing as I believe they are supposed to. They show up, and I can read them. However, if I understand correctly, the books I have open on my computer should be open when I open the iphone app and that isn't happening - even with just a Bible. Logos 4 is GREAT. Love it already and love the iphone app. Just trying to get the bugs worked out!

Dan Sheppard

Greg-

Please see the note from Bob Pritchett, above.

It has to do with receiving authorization by Logos, from the publishers of the individual books. Even though you have the book in your Logos 4, you (or me) do not yet have the authorization to use that book on our iPhone.

But that is what they are working toward. So I watch my computer and iPhone, just like watching my mailbox for some fan mail.

And watching, and watching, and watching.......

Dan

Bohuslav Wojnar

But that is what they are working toward. So I watch my computer and iPhone, just like watching my mailbox for some fan mail.

And watching, and watching, and watching.......

The same here [:)]

Bohuslav Wojnar

I got the iphone app four days ago. Got an upgrade to Logos 4 Silver downloaded and going strong today. However, the books on my iphone app are not syncing as I believe they are supposed to. They show up, and I can read them. However, if I understand correctly, the books I have open on my computer should be open when I open the iphone app and that isn't happening - even with just a Bible. Logos 4 is GREAT. Love it already and love the iphone app. Just trying to get the bugs worked out!

I your question is that the opened book on certain page on your PC is not synced to the same page on iPhone, than I have the same problem. I think this feature still do not work on iPhone. I use Favorites to get to the same page so far. I hope it will work however, since if I remember right, the feature was mentioned by Logos to be planned for the iPhone application.

James Macleod

All in all, Logos for the iPhone is an amazing app for version 1 software. Logos has a right to charge for anything new they develop. Kudos to Logos on a job well done!

Pastor John S. Watson, Sr. Ed.D.

The iphone application with the new Logos 4 is absolutely incredible. It is going to take sometime to get to know all that it can do, but what an amazing tool for me as a pastor on the go. I have your program loaded on my home, church, and travel laptops. Plus, having access to my library through my Iphone is just something wonderful. Thank you for such a fine tool. logos has been a blessing for me for years.

Dr. John Watson