Q&F: Mantis Bible Study
Chris J. | Feb 7, 2009 Reference
User rating: 
(16 votes, average: 3.06 out of 5)
(16 votes, average: 3.06 out of 5)
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In looking at the Mantis Bible Study app, it is easy to see that it was designed with the more serious Bible scholar in mind. It includes a whole list of features to help those who are focused on a more in-depth study of the Bible. Unfortunately, for those who prefer not to use the KJV of the Bible and are not willing to spend the money for a different version, all of the features will be pointless.
The reason for that is that the KJV is the only version available for free in English. Versions such as ASV and BBE are available for free with some of the other Bible apps, but will cost $4.99 to download for Mantis. For some, like myself, seeing a five-dollar charge for what is free elsewhere will make Mantis’ other benefits seem less attractive. For others, the benefits of Mantis will be worth the cost of additional Bibles, or perhaps some are content with the provided KJV.
Bookmarking verses or taking notes on verses is quick and simple with Mantis. Simply tap the number of the verse which pops up a menu for notes, bookmarks, or verse comparison (between Bible versions). You can type in notes which will then be visible next to the verse.
Navigating is simple and quick. By tapping the button with the title of the book, you can jump to an book, chapter and verse of the bible. You can also quickly navigate chapters and verses through the gray triangles on the upper left and right corners. The search function also makes it easy to find exactly the verse you need.
Unique (to my knowledge) among the Bible apps is Mantis’ ability to highlight words, phrases, sentences, or more. Once highlighting is turned on in “Settings”, you can choose from four different highlight colors.
Also available are commentaries and Bible dictionaries, all for purchase of course. Again, some of these items can be found elsewhere for free, but will cost around $5 for Mantis.
In summary, Mantis is a powerful bit of software with one major flaw; that the designers feel they must recoup their costs by charging for every additional book. This is a problem in two ways: First is the perception of greed which will sour potential customers. Second is that most people resist the feeling of being nickel-and-dimed to death. A few more free Bibles, a couple of commentaries, and a dictionary will create a solid starter package to get people using the app. Once a user is familiar with the app, he/she is more likely to sink some money into an add-on book.
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- It's a Praying Mantis... with a sword!
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- Highlighting is a feature of Mantis unique among free Bible programs.
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- Jumping to chapters and verses are easy, just put you finger in the gray triangle and drag down.
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- Tap a verse number to open a menu like this.
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- While helpful, the directions are a little bossy. I prefer to try it later.
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- Lots of methods are available when searching.
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- Additional Bibles can cost up to around 20 bucks on the Mantis website.
Q & F: Bible (YouVersion)
Chris J. | Jan 29, 2009 Reference
User rating: 
(4 votes, average: 2.75 out of 5)
(4 votes, average: 2.75 out of 5) Loading ...
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.
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- A startup screen is like a first date, you want to make a good impression.
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- I find it simplest to start at the beginning.
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- Jumping to a chapter is simple, but does take time.
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- Bookmarking is simple: Tap the verse then the option pops up.
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- Twenty-eight versions to dowload, many in other languages.
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- Forty more translations available when you have internet.
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- Seen "Annual Bible 1.0" app for $0.99? Here's the same thing for free.
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- Contribs are numerous, who knows what you'll find.
Annual Bible 1.0
Chris J. | Jan 19, 2009 Reference
User rating: (4 votes, average: 1.50 out of 5)
(4 votes, average: 1.50 out of 5) Loading ...
The Annual Bible is a simple program to organize Bible reading into daily readings. By following the readings described on each day, you can read through all of the Old Testament once and all of the New Testament and Psalms twice in one year.
The app itself is simple to use, it keeps track of the date for you. It also looks nice, with a picture of a sunset for the background. It has the familiar dials in case you want to change the date. If you want to pretend that it’s January 19th, 2037 and you’re reading the Bible in your rocket car feel free to change the date, but the reading will stay the same.
On the downside, the picture interferes somewhat in reading the lowest line. Also, the app does not allow any customization of your reading plan (i.e. if you wanted to take two years instead of one). There is also no way to check off the readings that have been completed. The app does not contain a version of the Bible itself, so you would have to carry a Bible or download a Bible app to go with it.
Overall, the program does not seem to be worth the price, since a Bible reading program can be found at any number of locations for free. If you absolutely must have a Bible reading program on your iPhone, then this isn’t a bad way to go.
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- Go ahead, change the year. The reading is the same.
