Q & F: Bible (YouVersion)

Chris J. | Jan 29, 2009 Reference

User rating: (4 votes, average: 2.75 out of 5)
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Like may of the other Bible apps, LifeChurch.tv’s Bible app has both strengths and weaknesses. The biggest strength of YouVersion is the numerous Bible translations available for free. Copyrighted translations (such as NIV) require web access to be used and cannot be downloaded to you iPhone. Older translations (such as KJV) can be downloaded onto your iPhone so that it can be accessed even if you don’t have internet available.

In addition to the Bible itself, YouVersion has some nice additional functions. If you are trying to read through the Bible in a year, there is a daily reading schedule included. Bookmarking favorite verses is quick and simple, all you have to do is tap the verse. You can also email verses to friends if you want.

One feature that is unique to YouVersion is the Contribs. Other users from around the world can contribute notes or even YouTube videos that are connected to particular verses. By tapping on the verse you can connect to those notes and videos and see what others think about a particular verse. Unfortunately some of the downloaded Bibles do not seem compatible with this feature.

YouVersion does have a few shortcomings, however. While most programs allow you to change the aspect to landscape view, YouVersion locks you into the portrait view. It is also unfortunate that while you can see other people’s notes on a verse, there is no way to type in notes yourself.

In speaking to the average Bible reader, if you are only going to download one Bible app, I recommend this one. While other Bible programs have some positive features, this one is most likely to have what you need while being simple enough for anyone to use.

A startup screen is like a first date, you want to make a good impression.
A startup screen is like a first date, you want to make a good impression.
I find it simplest to start at the beginning.
I find it simplest to start at the beginning.
Jumping to a chapter is simple, but does take time.
Jumping to a chapter is simple, but does take time.

Bookmarking is simple: Tap the verse then the option pops up.
Bookmarking is simple: Tap the verse then the option pops up.
Twenty-eight versions to dowload, many in other languages.
Twenty-eight versions to dowload, many in other languages.
Forty more translations available when you have internet.
Forty more translations available when you have internet.

Seen
Seen "Annual Bible 1.0" app for $0.99? Here's the same thing for free.
Contribs are numerous, who knows what you'll find.
Contribs are numerous, who knows what you'll find.
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  • Michael (Admin)

    If you can see other people’s notes but can’t put in your own notes, how did those other notes get there??!!

    I’ll email LifeChurch.tv and hopefully they’ll reply with an answer for this little conundrum.

  • Chris J.

    Notes can be added through the YouVersion website, but not directly through the app. Some other Bible apps allow you to enter your own notes on verses for personal reference.

  • http://www.duregger.net duregger

    “Notes can be added through the YouVersion website, but not directly through the app.[....yet]”

    We are hoping to make this feature avail in future versions, but as of right now Chris is right, you can only contrib from http://www.YouVersion.com.

  • http://internet.lifechurch.tv Brandon Donaldson

    yeah, in future revisions you will be able to contribute from the app and a host of other really cool things. The great thing about this app is they are continually looking to improve and bring new updates.

  • Chris J.

    Like I hope I made clear enough in the review, you have the strongest Bible app of all the free Bible apps. The problems I noted are the main issues that might disappoint some users.

  • http://www.biblebite.com Steven

    You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.

  • Chris J.

    Glad to hear that. I tried to be as fair and thorough as possible in examining the app. I still use it myself fairly frequently.

  • gary

    Overall I like this app. I find several of the translations have spaces missing and words are run together. Also, the find function is buggy and will sometimes find something, but that something does not even include the search word. My greatest frustration is that from time to time, without warning, all of my downloaded translations just go away. That happened tonight and now I can’t even connect to the site. I got a down for maintenance screen once, and from then on just a browser message that there is no server found.

  • http://www.uwsp.edu/Athletics/mbb/qfacts.htm Quick Facts

    Best you should change the page title Q & F: Bible (YouVersion) – iPhone App Reviews – Honest reviews of the latest, greatest, and lamest iPhone apps to more catching for your content you create. I loved the blog post even sononetheless.