Is Logos alone worth the purchase of iPad?
I tried Logos on my friends' iPod today and found that it's not very usable, though fast and crisp display and so on.
I think iPad will be much better - others have discussed this in http://community.logos.com/forums/t/24393.aspx
But what else is iPad useful for? Kindle? (it's also reading like Logos) What else do you use it for? What functions from the ordinary PC/Mac you have transferred to iPad in your daily life?
JesusChrist.ru - Russian Christian Portal, with free Bible software; Timh.ru - blog
Comments
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I used the Logos app on the iPhone for quite a while and found it ok but not great for reading. When the iPad was announced I ordered one purely for reading; the iPad/Kindle/newspaper/other reading apps have the same functionality but the screen size makes all the difference, it feels like sitting down to read with a book in your lap.
Having bought it more or less purely for reading books; I've been pleasantly surprised at how good it is for a bunch of other stuff like:
- Bible - easier for church, meetings, pastoral ministry. (Though to be honest I prefer another app for this [6])
- Consuming other visual media, particularly TV shows, movies, video podcasts. It really is a very good all round media device.
- Personal organiser - I use an app that syncs with Google calendar and Toodledo and I sit the ipad on my desk with my calendar and to-do list on it.
The iPad definitely doesn't replace your computer for most of the complex stuff that Logos 4 does, but for just sitting down a reading a book it is excellent.
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I use Logos on my iPad, but everytime I do I wish I was using my PC. Of course, this applies to just about every application I use on the iPad.
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I have a large logos library. I find it to be very difficult to read books on a PC or laptop. I bought a 16GB ipad as an e- reader for my logos library. It is outstanding for this purpose.
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No, but you will find it so useful for other tasks that the cumulative result will be very good. I read, do email, play games, surf web, watch video, and preach from mine all the time.
Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
Brushy Mountain Baptist Association0 -
Hi Kevin,
You bring your iPad on to the pulpit? Did it become any kind of distraction (oohs, aahs)?
I've been debating between an iPad vs an iPod Touch. The latter is much more portable and lighter, and attracts much less unnecessary attention (it looks like a cell phone). But I'm also thinking the iPad could eventually be a good replacement for a large-print Bible (I'm not there yet, but some I'll need it).
I still can't get used to preachers and worship leaders bringing their laptop on to the pulpit, so I'd like to hear what others' experience has been with the iPad. Do you disguise it as a regular Bible/book? Or do you make it clear that you're preaching from an electronic gadget?
Peter
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I preach from mine since May this year... and wished it was invented 20 years ago... church (250) likes it, and is used to it. I'm more flexible with it...
My notes in word go either as doc or docx or pdf or ppt into my dropbox or Docs2Go programs and from there I sync with ipad. set backlight to never and switch the page turning button on hold... great invention. Next step is getting it wireless to show PPT with the beamer. Any suggestions? There are Wifi beamers on the market, give it a few more months...
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I use my iPad to read my Logos books and to do some basic study. I like the Logos iPad app, but do hope they add more functionality. Regarding preaching from the iPad, I have preached from it several times and it has not been a distraction. The case I have for my iPad is a Targus portfolio case and is a bit thicker than the official Apple case (and about $20 more, but worth it). With that said, I have heard people say that they thought I just had a new notebook that I was reading from and they never knew it was a computer.
I really think this is the way to go, at least for me!
With Logos for iPad and increased functionality, the sky is the limit!
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You bring your iPad on to the pulpit? Did it become any kind of distraction (oohs, aahs)?
Only a problem the first time someone sees it. Some didn't even notice. But now a few months later no one seems to even notice any more. I have a nice black leather folio case that makes it just look like a black notebook along with my regular Bible, which I still read from, main for effect.
Here is the case I use:
I have a review of it here:
Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
Brushy Mountain Baptist Association0 -
I preach from mine since May this year... and wished it was invented 20 years ago... church (250) likes it, and is used to it. I'm more flexible with it...
Ton,
Can you give me a little more information about preaching from the iPad? How do you advance the pages? Do you have to swipe a finger on the screen? Is there a remote available to advance?
Also, if someone would show a video of how they setup their ipad on a pulpit and prepare their document for it, it would be greatly appreciated.
John
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Great questions, John. I'm curious too.
One more question - Is glare (from pulpit spot lights) a problem on the iPad screen?
Thanks all.
Peter
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Here is the case I use:
I have a review of it here:
Thanks Kevin. Do you using the folio case to prop up the iPad for reading? Or to prop it up on the pulpit?
Peter
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It depends on the software you use to either slide the text or to hit a next page button. You can do it with one hand.
I use documents to go alot, DocsToGo, but also Goodreader and dropbox reader and others.
You can flip the left cover back and hold it in one hand and even slide the pages with your righthand thumb if you want and if your are righthanded....
You can adjust brightness, you can even read in the sunshine with it.
I use a brown leather case that can be opened like a book or stand up with an adjustable stand.
I havent used it with a wireless beamer yet, but there is a wifi beamer just out on the market.
> http://www.superslimprojector.com/resource/pdf/XJ-A245U_SPEC_SHEET.pdf
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Here's another question for you. I am a PC user but have seriously been thinking about the iPad as my first forray into the Apple market, computing wise (I have an iPod that I absolutely love). If I were to purchase an iPad would I have to purchase an Apple version of Logos or is there just an app that will synchronize with my current library?
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Thanks Kevin. Do you using the folio case to prop up the iPad for reading? Or to prop it up on the pulpit?
I use it while I preach but it does not prop it up much, which is to my liking. I don't want it sticking up and our lectern is at about a 30 degree angle already.
Dr. Kevin Purcell, Director of Missions
Brushy Mountain Baptist Association0 -
Here's another question for you. I am a PC user but have seriously been thinking about the iPad as my first forray into the Apple market, computing wise (I have an iPod that I absolutely love). If I were to purchase an iPad would I have to purchase an Apple version of Logos or is there just an app that will synchronize with my current library?
You do not need the Mac version of Logos. The Logos iPad app is a free app you can download from iTunes Store. It connects to the Logos servers over WiFi or 3G networks to display your library and resources.
MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540
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I haven;t had a chance to play too much with an iPad... the iOS (operating system for iphones ipod touches and ipads) is a nice interface and I am hopefully Logos will improve the Logos APP. You have to ask yourself several things about the iPad in connection with Logos, it uses a cloud model currently. So you must be connected to the net via wifi( or cellular if you have the 3g model) to use it. You can download some to the device but it is limited in what it can do (no using footnotes). Not all your library is iPad compatible (most likely)... If you look up your resources online if you don't see it listed as being Iphone/ipod compatible it currently isn't (Logos would like all their items to be so, but it means working out agreements with every publisher, and if like me you have files like the Jerome Biblical Commentary, Oxford Bible Commentary, or Daily Study Bible Series, files Logos no longer sells you have no chance to use these (the one slight hope is that the future version may be a fuller Logos engine, rather than a cloud only reader).
So I would say Logos may not be a good reason to get an iPad, but if the resources you use most are iPad compatible and you will only want to use it where you have a cell signal or wifi. It might be a great thing for you. I do plan on getting one eventually but i have a huge library of eBooks beyond my Bible programs. One thing you might do is go to an Apple Store (or nearby distributor of the iPad) to try it out on their demo model, Logos is a free APP, you just sign in and see if it will work for you (click on the signout and remove your user name). If you love it, get it....
-Dan
Here's another question for you. I am a PC user but have seriously been thinking about the iPad as my first forray into the Apple market, computing wise (I have an iPod that I absolutely love). If I were to purchase an iPad would I have to purchase an Apple version of Logos or is there just an app that will synchronize with my current library?
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Until Logos incorporates highlighting and/or 2 window viewing with the ability to copy/paste to notes I don't use the Logos iPad app unless I'm taking notes on paper. For me personally unless I can annotate or take notes I don't remember what I read.
Now I use my iPad a ton with the Kindle app and iBooks because I can take notes/ highlight what I read.
And because my day job is in video production the iPad was actually purchased to be used as a teleprompter.
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Dittoes to BradN's comment.
I bought the iPad primarily for the ease with which it enables me to read from the large library holdings I have with Logos. Although the iPad app does not let me make annotations, it has enabled me to make more extensive use of the resources.
I have used the iPad in the pulpit for the past four weeks. I have my notes typed up in Word and I use Dropbox to access the documents. I am probably going to discontinue that use as it is a bit heavier and less flexible than the small ESV Bible I usually use. I am finding myself too attached to the notes in the iPad, it seems like my spontaneity is attenuated somewhat.
I am used to preaching without notes - although I do stray from time to time - so the iPad, for me, is more of a crutch than an aid for preaching.
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Although the iPad app does not let me make annotations,....
...Yet...Not only would I be tempted to buy the IPad for just the features I see now (if I had the money, of course) but I am quite certain that even more value will be added over time based upon past performance.0 -
Until Logos incorporates highlighting and/or 2 window viewing with the ability to copy/paste to notes I don't use the Logos iPad app unless I'm taking notes on paper. For me personally unless I can annotate or take notes I don't remember what I read.
Now I use my iPad a ton with the Kindle app and iBooks because I can take notes/ highlight what I read.
[Y] +!
I teach an inductive study and the lack of highlights and the inability to annotate is a killer, so L4 becomes my "bible" and not my teaching notes. I love the ability to do original language word studies at the touch of a fingertip, which does allow me to answer some questions in class, that would have to be put off otherwise.
The times that I have used it from the pulpit, it hasn't been as natural, so once again I cary written notes and use L4 as the bible to read from, the favorites really work nicely in being able to pre-load a verse selection directly from my desktop.
L4 iPad isn't where it needs to be, but given the talk of a complete re-write I am sure it will arrive eventually.
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I bought my iPad yesterday because I have had the flu for days and it's so hard to sit up and read with a warm, heavy laptop and a fever. It has already served me well! I could curl up all last evening and read my Bible reading plan and parts of two other resources very comfortably. It's MUCH easier on my aging eyes than a laptop screen and having owned a Kindle in the past I actually prefer the iPad screen for reading, at least indoors. Not only could I keep up with my reading but I got the spiritual comfort I needed while not feeling well and am finally much better today.
I can see it being useful when I visit friends, too, since there are times I'd love to search for a scripture and all of my friends have WiFi but not many of them have a handy Bible. [:O] I did not get the 3G version because I prefer not to pay any monthly plan that's not essential to life. I'm happy to use it where there is wireless, like I use the full version on my laptop. I'm an inductive studier. I didn't get it for my study time, though, but to have one more way to access the Word as often as possible.
I also used the mail app to bring all of my accounts to one place, the maps app to "travel" yesterday to places I have lived or wanted to visit and used Netflix to stream movies in my room. I added the Kindle reader and loaded my MercyMe, Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin music, too, plus some good audiobooks. I'm sure I will find more uses for it as time goes on. I really like the tablet concept and iPad seems to have pulled that off pretty well for a 1st gen tool.
Peace...
"But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5 (NASB)
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Amen. I did the same. I like the PC for research, but for READING the iPad is amazing....
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I use the iPad to teach from all the time. I can have my notes, and not worry of them getting out of order. I use the Logos app to bring out language or background info, I mean being able to access ISBE or Anchor Bible Dictionary on the go is great. I also have worked on some presentations using keynote on the iPad.
Yes some features are missing, but they are coming. New resources are available all the time.
Someone did ask about glare from the screen. You would want to protect the screen to begin with, I have a matte screen protector that works very well.
The iPad really is a great ministry tool, with the Bible, books, podcasts and all the helpful app it's great. My church got me the 3G which is helpful, you don't have a contract, so let's say you are traveling, you can purchase a plan, and then cancel the next month.0
