Microsoft Surface
I'm considering buying the new Microsoft Surface. Is there a Logos app available for this tablet? And is it as good as the mobile app for Apple products?
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A mobile app just recently appeared in the Microsoft App store. It is VERY basic right now. I haven't had much of a chance to test drive it yet, but currently it looks like it is just a basic ONLINE ONLY reader (think Biblia as an app - without anything more than a basic search).
Lenovo TS130 Xeon E3-1245V2 | 20GB | 256 GB SSD (OS and Logos) | 3TB WD Red | Windows 10 Pro x64
L4 & L5 Platinum, L6 Gold, L5 Reformed Gold, L6 Reformed Bronze, L7 Lutheran Silver, L7 Reformed Starter, L7 Full Feature Set
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Yes, the current version is very basic but we are working hard to match the functionality provided by the Logos Bible app on the iOS and Android platforms. Expect updates every few weeks.
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Question for Logos: I noticed in the Windows App Store that the supported processors are only x86 and x64 for the Logos Bible App. Is there a plan to support ARM Processors like that in the Surface in the near future? I expect to see great updates in the near future but it would be a shame if I was unable to run the app on a tablet like the Microsoft Surface.
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Yes we will support ARM devices, we're actully woking on it right now.
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Glad to hear it. I can't wait to get my Surface - a device that will be much more exciting when Logos is available on Windows RT.
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I am thankful for your Windows RT support. I purchased a surface on Friday after seeing your Win 8 app in the store. I was rather unhappy after my purchase when I realized the current Logos app only supports x86 and x64. I started using Biblia.com on my surface for normal bible reading, but text sizing and layout were bad on the touch interface so I had to resort to the youversion app.
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same here ... bummed there isn't a windows rt version out there. thrilled that its in the store, but want it badly on surface. looking very forward to it
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Scott Alexander (Logos) said:
Yes we will support ARM devices, we're actully woking on it right now.
Scott,
Thank you for bringing Logos to another platform. This is very exciting news!
Is there an ETA for the ARM version? I'm trying to decide if I want to wait for the Pro tablet or get the RT. Logos working on it is a big factor. I can wait for a Q1 release, but if it is still 12 months out, I have some tough decisions to make.
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I am fairly sure Logos will attempt to get it out as quick as they can. One thing to remember, all features available in the iOS version are not yet available in the Android version and I would guess it will take a while for the Surface RT version to catch up to both. I do think Within a short period of time (months, maybe a year) all 3 could be virtually at parity, but the nature of it is even though code is shared it needs to be tweaked and made to run properly on each platform, the one bonus of the surface is it may be easier to implement since there is only one device to get it working properly on. I hope you enjoy the surface if you get it, personally of the 7 or 8 reviews I have read so far haven't seen one overly positive one yet...
-dan
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Dan said:
Is there an ETA for the ARM version? I'm trying to decide if I want to wait for the Pro tablet or get the RT.
Good news, we have the current version of the Bible app working on a Surface RT as of this morning! It should be in the store within the next week or so (I will post here when it is published). Keep in mind that the Windows Store version of the Bible app is early in development so the feature set is very limited, especially if you're used the iOS or Android versions. We'll be shipping updates every three weeks or so with the goal of eventually achieving parity with the other platforms.
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This app needs quite a bit of love to get it to the level of iOS/Android. Remember, this is also the "native" app for Windows 8 now as well, and the tile doesn't even list the Bible verse of the day! So much room to expand, but, here's a short wish list:
- If Logos for Desktop is installed, use it's search index (perhaps have Logos for Desktop expose an API to Logos Bible).
- If Logos for Desktop is installed, use downloaded resources rather than steaming.
- Show recent references with the library list, so you know where you'll be opening to.
- Allow some way to interact and copy/select/share a verse reference (ideally with the share charm).
- If Logos for Desktop isn't installed, allow resources to be downloaded to the device.
- Allow light/sepia/dark options, along with font size changes.
- Reopen the app to the last reference.
- Cache resources for the last reference point loads instantly.
- Bible in one year support
- Provide a way to search through available titles by word, or to filter by category.
- Highlight support.
Here's hoping
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Robin Monks said:
Remember, this is also the
"native" app for Windows 8 now as well, and the tile doesn't even
list the Bible verse of the day!Thank you for your suggestions. An important distinction to make is that the
Logos Bible Windows Store application is by no means a replacement for the desktop application. If you are a Logos desktop user you should continue to use the desktop application, even on Windows 8 machines. Yes Windows 8 includes the new Windows 8
shell which allows you to run windows store applications on the desktop. However, the
Windows Store Bible application will never be as powerful as the desktop version. The desktop
and mobile versions of the application are meant to complement each other, providing
the best user experience for that particular device.0 -
Robin Monks said:
- If Logos for Desktop is installed, use it's search index (perhaps have Logos for Desktop expose an API to Logos Bible).
Microsoft requires Windows Store apps to be sandboxed, and not interact with other apps. From Windows 8 app certification requirements, "Windows Store apps must not communicate with local desktop applications or services". The app would probably be rejected from the Windows Store if it tried to use the Logos Desktop app's search index.
Fortunately, there's an easy workaround: to use the Logos Desktop app's search index, run the Logos Desktop app. [:)]
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Scott Alexander (Logos) said:
An important distinction to make is that the
Logos Bible Windows Store application is by no means a replacement for the desktop applicationI realize that, hence why a few of the suggestions specifically involve having both installed. I find in Windows 8 I use the touch/Windows 8/metro interface as a way to focus on unique tasks: read a book with Kindle, watch Netflix, play Minesweeper, read News, etc. Reading my daily reading plan or doing a topical study with Where to Find it in the Bible/What Does the Bible Say About/etc seem ideally suited to this "uni-focus" atmosphere.
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Bradley Grainger (Logos) said:
Microsoft requires Windows Store apps to be sandboxed, and not interact with other apps.
This is true, although use of sockets is allowed (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/apps/hh452977.aspx) -- if there was a desire there could be a logos deamon (don't worry folks, deamons are background tasks on PCs and not evil
) that reponded to requests over local socket connections. I realize that's likely going to require some changing on the desktop and "metro" apps; but it is an option. An attempt at the socket could be made and then requests for resources could be made to it rather than your remote servers.(sorry to double-post, our replies crossed)
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Robin Monks said:
This is true, although use of sockets is allowed
Sockets are allowed, but it's still not clear to me if you're allowed to use them to communicate with a local desktop application.
Regardless, we don't currently plan to write a lot of code (in both the Desktop app and the Windows Store app) to add extra functionality if the desktop app also happens to be installed on the local machine; the simple answer (at this point) will be: if you want the extra capabilities of the desktop app, and your machine is capable of running the desktop app, then install it and use it.
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Robin Monks said:
Reading my daily reading plan or doing a topical study with Where to Find it in the Bible/What Does the Bible Say About/etc seem ideally suited to this "uni-focus" atmosphere.
It's possible that we'll eventually release a number of "uni-focus" applications, e.g., reading plan app, prayer list app, etc. You could sign into each one with your logos.com account and access the documents that the desktop app has synced to the cloud.
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Bradley Grainger (Logos) said:
It's possible that we'll eventually release a number of "uni-focus" applications, e.g., reading plan app, prayer list app, etc. You could sign into each one with your logos.com account and access the documents that the desktop app has synced to the cloud.
I actually really like that concept; it would work nicely with the Windows live tile system as well. A prayer list app would arguably require more than just a list to make it have a different value than the always growing number of memo apps, I'm sure you've already frameworked some valuable idea for it though -- I'm just glad I'm not in my own little box for thinking of these as ideal platforms to offer a single purpose apps to easily distracted people.
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I like the idea of having some tiles available, but one of the factors pushing me to wait for the Surface Pro, is that I want to run my full Logos Desktop Application on it! I can't wait for the Pro version to open up on pre-orders...
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Where is the Logos app in the store? The only thing I can find is a verse of the day app?
I've just purchased a Surface RT and would like to have access to my Logos texts no matter what state. Thanks.
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David Doyle said:
Where is the Logos app in the store? The only thing I can find is a verse of the day app?
The Logos Bible app is not currently available for the Surface RT which uses an ARM processor. We have submitted a version for ARM and it is pending approval, should be any day now. I will post here when it is approved.
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I purchased the Surface RT for my wife. It's a great tablet, but I am excited for the Logos app to show up soon. For the time being, running Biblia in Internet Explorer (the MX version) when online is rather pleasant. It's easy to scroll down a page.
For myself, I'm getting the Surface Pro to be my main computer. Running full logos on a 1080p screen, with a pin-point accurate stylus, will be very useful with a 3rd generation i5 processor on a snappy SSD. This all in a tablet form factor. I love that the kick-stand and revolutionary keyboard is there when you need it, and disappears when you don't.
Disclaimer: I work at a holiday kiosk of the Microsoft Store. But I purchased it myself. For doubters, see it for yourself. I'll be in the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas.
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Been checking everyday for Logos Bible for Windows RT ... lo and behold there it is this morning in the Store!!
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Kevin,
I checked the store and could not locate the RT app. What is the name of the agg?
Thomas
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Thats APP not agg (smile)
Thomas
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Thomas Jackson said:
I checked the store and could not locate the RT app. What is the name of the agg?
Bible! (that's with the exclamation mark)
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Found it!!
Thanks
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Robin Monks said:
a logos deamon (don't worry folks, deamons are background tasks on PCs and not evil
)precisely what I thought many years ago when I was a tech noob about Daemon Tools. It was reinforced because: 1. it was the first time I seen the word daemon. and 2. becuase the person was using it illegally (from memory).
:-)
but it is a very funny parenthesis comment.
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This is AWESOME Scott--thanks very much!
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I have the Logos App on my Surface tablet, but it doesn't seem to have anyway to designate a book, chapter and verse. It just opens the Bible I select wherever and then to move I have to go one page at a time. Obviously this won't work. Am I missing something? Steve
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