Greek Study on iPad

Greetings all!

I have my first Ipad - the new one, and I love it. I've decided to take the plunge into the world of virtual Bibles. I am a intermediate to advanced student of Homeric & Classical Greek and am somewhat familiar with the morphological and syntactical differences from Koine; and hope that Logos will help me in the transition.

I really like it that Logos offers an extensive (seems like a rather mild word in this context) Classics collection; so that I can read, say, Sophocles, and the New Testament on the same App. I love that I could have all my lexicons and dictionaries and commentaries on the same app! It will be an unalloyed pleasure to be a bit more liberated from my dead tree LSJ and commentaries and so on.

Incidentally, most of the time I will have access to wifi when reading/studying.

My questions are the proverbial three:

do you find that Logos - compared with its competitors - is optimal for original language study of the New Testament on the iPad. I assume, of course, that the Ipad version of Logos is not nearly as robust as the full Mac version.
I understand that Logos originated in the Windows environment; is Logos for both the Mac and the iPad being built from the ground up for the Mac, or is it merely ported over?
Does the Logos team seem dedicated to the iOs platform? To making the iPad app one of their focuses? This market segment must be an enormous opportunity; however, my sense is (and I may be very wrong about this), is that the Ipad app lags a bit behind those of its competitors, which is unfortunate.

I ask these things because I think in every other way Logos seems like the best of the pack. I just want to make sure I am hitching my cart to the right horse, so to speak.

I shall now go smoke a pipe and ponder.

~david

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Comments

Graham Criddle

Hi David - and welcome to the forums.

I'll have a go at your three questions but I am sure others will comment!

do you find that Logos - compared with its competitors - is optimal for original language study of the New Testament on the iPad. I assume, of course, that the Ipad version of Logos is not nearly as robust as the full Mac version.

I don't use any other Bible Software on the iPad so can't comment regards competitors.

You are right that there is not as much functionality on the iPad version as on the desktop (Windows/Mac). On the iPad version you can do lookups for words, get information about their morphology and go from their to lexica. For this functionality to work you need to be online as the "work" is done on Logos servers.

I understand that Logos originated in the Windows environment; is Logos for both the Mac and the iPad being built from the ground up for the Mac, or is it merely ported over?

A lot of code is shared between the Windows and Mac version - and you are right that it started from a Windows base (although there was quite an early Mac version as well which has been superseded. There are a number of features where the Windows version is still ahead of Mac - see http://wiki.logos.com/Mac_and_PC_User_Interface_Differences for more information about this

Does the Logos team seem dedicated to the iOs platform? To making the iPad app one of their focuses? This market segment must be an enormous opportunity; however, my sense is (and I may be very wrong about this), is that the Ipad app lags a bit behind those of its competitors, which is unfortunate.

All the indications I have seen is that the mobile platforms (first iOS and then Android) are very important to Logos. There is significant focus on these platforms and the functionality continues to increase. Others have noted areas in which the iPad app is behind its competitors, it will be interesting so see what the next release (currently submitted to Apple) will bring.

Hope this helps a little

Graham

JT (alabama24)

do you find that Logos - compared with its competitors - is optimal for original language study of the New Testament on the iPad. I assume, of course, that the Ipad version of Logos is not nearly as robust as the full Mac version.
I understand that Logos originated in the Windows environment; is Logos for both the Mac and the iPad being built from the ground up for the Mac, or is it merely ported over?
Does the Logos team seem dedicated to the iOs platform? To making the iPad app one of their focuses? This market segment must be an enormous opportunity; however, my sense is (and I may be very wrong about this), is that the Ipad app lags a bit behind those of its competitors, which is unfortunate.

David - First, welcome to the forums!

I am not an Original Languages user, so I can only answer some of your questions generally. I also don't use other apps.

1. I would not say that the Logos app is "optimal" for OL studies. First, you have to be online. Second, I don't think ANY app would be "optimal" for OL studies on an iPad. I LOVE my iPad and find many new uses for it all the time. IF I were to be doing OL studies, I think a laptop would be a minimum requirement for me (desktop with large screen would be preferable).

2. I am a die hard Mac user. I would prefer that Logos had been a completely native app, but its not. It is, however, the best program for MY usage. I want access to a vast & growing library, which is what Logos excels at.

3. I would say that the Logos team is absolutely dedicated to the iOS platform.

You suggest that you believe the Logos app is "behind" the competition. Do you have some specific areas of concern?

Butters

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/391097#Comment_391097

All the indications I have seen is that the mobile platforms (first iOS and then Android) are very important to Logos. There is significant focus on these platforms and the functionality continues to increase. Others have noted areas in which the iPad app is behind its competitors, it will be interesting so see what the next release (currently submitted to Apple) will bring.

Hope this helps a little

Graham

Thanks ever so much Graham!

Is there any information about this "next' iPad app - or is under wraps to all but a few beta users?

Cheers,

Butters

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/391105#Comment_391105

Thanks ever so much for your response alabama24!

1. I would not say that the Logos app is "optimal" for OL studies. First, you have to be online. Second, I don't think ANY app would be "optimal" for OL studies on an iPad. I LOVE my iPad and find many new uses for it all the time. IF I were to be doing OL studies, I think a laptop would be a minimum requirement for me (desktop with large screen would be preferable).

Yes, as noted, I would have access to wifi whenever studying/reading, so that aspect won't be a problem for me. I understand what you are saying about being on a Mac, given the processing power and so on. I really shouldn't have used the word "optimal" - of course, anything on the iPad or similar peripheral is going to be a stripped down to some degree or another. At least for now. I suppose I meant to ask whether Logos is the best iOS original language experience when compared to what other iOS bible software programs can do. Just wanted anyone's opinion on that; as conditional and subjective as they might be. Also in my rather muddled brain is the question: what, exactly, do I give up by using Logos via iOS when compared with using the full Mac version?

You suggest that you believe the Logos app is "behind" the competition. Do you have some specific areas of concern?

I keep reading reviews that suggest that the Logos iPad app is slow, clunky, bug ridden, crashes a lot; and that it is not a fully native app to the iOS environment; that it lacks a great deal of functionality, etc.

HOWEVER, I know perfectly well that 1. people are what they are and would complain about there not being enough room in the Taj Mahal if given the chance; 2. that there are bound to be a few problems when releasing software and one tends to hear those more readily on the internet, 3. that there are all sorts of marketing ploys posing at "reviews"....

..which is why I am asking here about the truth of these things. Moreover, and far more important to me, is: what direction is the team moving in? I am considering buying into Logos for what they are going to be - and so want to know about this.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/391209#Comment_391209

I keep reading reviews that suggest that the Logos iPad app is slow, clunky, bug ridden, crashes a lot; and that it is not a fully native app to the iOS environment; that it lacks a great deal of functionality, etc.

I have an original iPad and there are elements that are sometimes slow. Others with newer iPads have suggested that the app works better. The notion that the app isn't native to iOS is hogwash. (That is true about the MAC version, but not the iOS one).

The best advice I can give you: Logos offers a generous return policy. You are more than welcome to purchase a base package, kick the wheels before you decide if it is right for you. You might want to call a sales rep to verify this, but I am sure they will treat you well.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/391208#Comment_391208

Hi David

Is there any information about this "next' iPad app - or is under wraps to all but a few beta users?

I'm not involved in the beta testing so have only picked up a few comments from some of those who are.

There is going to be an extension to the notes functionality (so one can access all notes, not just those tied to verses or text) - this will be a great step forward.
The user interface is going to be revamped - based on the currently available Faithlife Bible Study app.

There may be other things - but these are the two which I remember being discussed.

Graham