iPhone / iPod / iPad apps

I'm sorry that the iphone app played such a large part in your purchasing decision, and that you didn't realize what you were buying when you spent the money.

As with all software, there are tradeoffs. The app is currently designed so that processing is done remotely and results are returned to the application via internet connection. I don't think we can imagine how slow it would be if our iphones did all the processing. I understand that you are asking that functionality be built in that will allow it to search downloaded resources, and that will require a major change to the code to add in such functionality.

Do I hope they add basic Bible searching and additional features? Yes. But I'm not upset about it because it was clearly stated what the application could do. When the app first came out there wasn't even offline reading! So, I'm grateful for the work that has been put into it.

Ahhh.... if you are referring to the pricing, I totally disagree.  I was a Logos 3 user and, based upon the advertisements for the iPhone / iPod version which said, "Use your logos4 books on the iPod when you buy a Logos4 base package,

It featured heavily in my decision to upgrade to L4 as well, but offline reading wasn't available at all then. I would like to see what they have planned for it (much as is done with L4 and L4Mac) rather than just taking what is handed to us. Although with the Apple review process hoop to jump through, this may not be possible.

Yes.  You are right, Apple does make things difficult.  However, if OliveTree can do it, I don't see why Logos can't. 

You mean that the Olive Tree app will do something that my iPad app won't??? I find that hard to believe, given Logos' technical superiority. [;)]

I've been disappointed with the IPhone app, too.  The idea of being able to use Logos on my iPhone was part of my reason for upgrading but, like others here, it's very limited away from a good internet connection (e.g. in my local church).  I had Laridian's MyBible on my previous Palm and that could search, highlight and make notes.  I've now loaded their app on my iPhone and it's head and shoulders above Logos in usability - I now use that and forget Logos on the iPhone.

As an aside, I've been trying to run Logos on my laptop when travelling - it works but painfully slowly.  I've tried Laridian's desktop application there and it runs at a much better speed (and syncs notes, bookmarks and highlighting with my iPhone, too).  I now use that for quick look-ups or references - even on my desktop, Logos struggles, so it's kept for times when I need the more in-depth resources. Ironically, I went to check something this morning and inadvertently fired up Logos3 - was a nice reminder of how much quicker it all was before v4.

I agree a Logos/Laridian comparison is not apples to apples - that's probably the reason the Laridian offering has significant performance advantage.  Logos tries to do too much on the iPhone (and users are asking for yet more) and, in my view, just isn't up to the job I need. 

The desktop is similar - I can't do all the sophisticated lookup and cross-referencing with Laridian's PocketBible.  However, when I just need to look up a passage and type up notes, as I sometimes like to do during a service (and sitting at the back on the sound desk, when not preaching, gives me the freedom to do that), Logos is just too slow on my laptop; I can also do some basic background information lookup in a commentary or dictionary and get the info before the speaker has moved onto another verse!

Logos is head and shoulders better when doing deep research (as long as your PC is up to it) but trying to be all things and so too much means a simpler tool is sometimes necessary.

Just my $0.02 worth...

I sure would also love to see more investment in the iPad app. I too am disappointed in the current functionality and usability. At this point, I pretty much don't use it. I have however purchased Olive Tree as well as the Crossway ESV Study Bible which are both superior in usability, but quite limited themselves. What that translates too I guess is this... for the time being I'm tied to my laptop for any real study.

Since I am on a roll, I guess I'll share something that I have wanted to share for some time. Quite honestly, I really struggle when Logos or others say or imply that we ought to be happy with what we have since the app is free. It's not free in my humble opinion. It's a means by which Logos promotes L4. In other words, if the iPxx apps are used in marketing materials in an effort to get folks to purchase or upgrade to L4, I kind of view that as part of the overall offering.  At least in my humble opinion, which I of course could be wrong. And for those of us who made substantial purchasing decisions in order to have resources available on the iPad. The whole discusion is rather frustrating to say the least. Having said that, I really do appreciate the folks at Logos, and would encourage them to share with us a little more in the way of a development plans for the mobile apps. That might lesson some of the frustration.

Bob has shared that they are porting the desktop engine to the iPad. If this means what I think it means it will probably translate to gains on the Mac desktop as well. The Mac desktop uses a lot of common .NET functionality from the Windows side via Mono but having worked a little with that product I know it sometimes leaves a bit to be desired. If they are porting back end functionality to the iPad it has to be in Objective C/Cocoa (native OS X code) which will perform better. It does mean a lot of duplication of effort but I don't think Mono offers the free lunch that is implied. Cross platform has been promised forever in programming languages and other than the browser world it has been a compromise that users don't typically enjoy.

Anyway, this is a big undertaking and I am excited that Bob shared this vision. I would be interested to know what the development team plans are though too. If it is all going to be done by a single developer it is going to take a while. If we are a year out I am going to have to spend some money with OliveTree to get the tools I need for functional bible study on the iPad. I don't want to because I am confident that what Logos comes up with will be better.

In the end I agree that some more information would be really helpful for those of us who are struggling to use their iPad to it's fullest measure.

I really hope that Bob moves some devs from the L4M team to the iPad team as that product releases.

...

Since I am on a roll, I guess I'll share something that I have wanted to share for some time. Quite honestly, I really struggle when Logos or others say or imply that we ought to be happy with what we have since the app is free. It's not free in my humble opinion. It's a means by which Logos promotes L4. In other words, if the iPxx apps are used in marketing materials in an effort to get folks to purchase or upgrade to L4, I kind of view that as part of the overall offering.  At least in my humble opinion, which I of course could be wrong. And for those of us who made substantial purchasing decisions in order to have resources available on the iPad. The whole discusion is rather frustrating to say the least. Having said that, I really do appreciate the folks at Logos, and would encourage them to share with us a little more in the way of a development plans for the mobile apps. That might lesson some of the frustration.

In view of the post linked to below which summarizes rather nicely what I was trying to articulate in the above. I would love for Logos to share a little more detail as it relates to specifics of the development plans for the mobile apps.[;)] Not trying to still anything up, just would like to be a little more in the know.

http://community.logos.com/forums/p/22659/169242.aspx#169242

I agree with you Ray. It frustrates me every time I read that it is a "free" app. I invested a lot of money into Logos and as a customer expect to have as much access (with full functionality) to my material as possible. The reality that we are moving quickly into a post-computer, mobile society is clear. The iPad is clear evidence. I LOVE logos and recommend it to all my ministry friends. I just think logos needs to be throwing more resources toward mobile platforms.

I agree with this as well. The unfortunate part is that Logos is still a company with limited resources. The push to get L4 to feature parity (and beyond) with L3 is still underway and the Mac desktop release is in its final push as well. I do wish we could see at least some incremental progress with the iPad app as it really is 3rd in a 3 dog race right now IMO. I am confident it will be a real player at some point but it would be nice to have a little more information about when that might be and how the application is being improved.

I LOVE logos and recommend it to all my ministry friends. I just think logos needs to be throwing more resources toward mobile platforms.

While I might wish the same thing, at the expense of what? Their mainstay is the PC app. And it still doesn't have all the functions of v. 3.0 that they plan to include fully implemented yet. Mac is a growing part of their business generating income to help with things like a mobile app. So shouldn't take anything way from that. The web site? Then all the non iPhone mobile users would be upset.

I say they are likely handling it about the way they should to give enough attention to all of their customers.

Dave, thanks for indicating how many are working on the app.  Can you give any information on approximate dates for the next release of the iPad app?  Really looking forward to it.

There are two of us working on the app, but we are also working on other projects. The problem is there are so many great projects in progress here. All of them are important to some segment of our customer base so prioritizing can be difficult. I assure you we are listening to your feedback and are working to address the issues.

Glad you got some help.