And in case you haven’t noticed, we are up to version 1.3.3 in the app catalog.  This current version has basic search features.  We do plan to increase the search capabilities of Simple Bible in the future as well. Also, we have another free app that will be out soon.  We won’t comment more on it, but you can expect it withing the next week or two.

This morning we submitted to Palm yet another update. This one when it is released will add the feature of Multiple Bookmarks. So now instead of just 1 bookmark, there are 3. I found that when my pastor was jumping around a lot in church it could be quite cumbersome. So, I figured it would be easier to keep up with him if I had more than one bookmark, so here they are for the world to enjoy.

Also, we have more plans for future updates including a search option so keep checking your app for updates.

In the meantime we have decided to add some of the features that we are planning for Pro into the standard version of Simple Bible too.  Look for new features in the soon to arrive Simple Bible Updates.

For those of you who might have problems downloading this version we’d like to point you to this support page from Palm.  Basically, if you cannot download an app from the app catalog, it’s not the apps fault, but more likely a problem with webOS or the app catalog.  We actually encountered a similar problem when testing.  We fixed it by first shutting down the phone.  Next we removed the battery for about 3 minutes then put it back in.  After powering back up, it let us download just fine.  On the support page  from Palm, item 9 basically suggests the same, only they just recommend that you “restart” you phone.

If you happen to be reading this and can’t download the app even after restarting / pulling your battery, then please let us know.  We will do all we can to help you.  Hopefully though you are one of the thousands of people who have already successfully downloaded 1.0.2 without any problems.

Now on to Simple Bible Pro.  While we have been meddling with Pro for more than a month now, I’m happy to tell you all that the 1.0.x release of Simple Bible means that Pro will now have our full attention (other than fixing any bugs we find in SB).  We still don’t have a timeline yet, but we will be sure to let it be known once we do.

Another bit of good news is that Laridian is saying that Simple Bible Pro users should have access to all the same materials that are currently available for their iPhone app PocketBible.  This is not a guarantee but I’m told it is their goal to make this happen for us and our users.  If you are curious just what translations and other books should be available, head on over to Laridian’s Pocket Bible Site for the details.

We are putting the finishing touches on what we plan to release as 1.0.0.  We plan to submit it to Palm within the next week or so.  We are just finishing up some translation work for non-english user interfaces and when that is done it will be published.

We are nearing the completion of version 1.0.0 of Simple Bible.  The major chage to this version is the ability for users to download new translations directly to your phone without the need of a computer.  Once we publish this version all of our attention will be turned to our next app Simple Bible Pro.

Then the email from Laridian Electronic Publishing came.  You know who I’m writing about.  They are the publishers of MyBible for the PalmOS as well as Bible apps for Windows Mobile, iPhone and Blackberry Platforms.  With little hesitation, we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with them.  This MoU, is basically an agreement to come to an agreement.  So nothing is set in stone yet.  However, if all goes well, Laridian Electronic Publishing will be the exclusive provider for content for our upcoming Simple Bible Pro Application.

Simple Bible Pro will be the same basic bible reader you know from Simple Bible, however it will contain many additional features you may have wished for.  Some of the additional features that could be included in Simple Bible Pro are (but are not limited to):

• Additional Copyrighted Translations
• Search
• Note Taking
• Highlighting
• Multiple Bookmarks
• Cross-Refrences
• Study Guides/Helps

This news should be of a special interest to previous MyBible or PocketBible users. Laridian plans to allow previously purchased Translations to be migrated from PocketBible and MyBible to Simple Bible Pro.

We must clarifiy that currently we just have an agreement to agree and that there is currently to guarantee that any specific content will be available on Simple Bible Pro.  However we expect after the partnership agreement is completed, most of the more popular translations to become available by the first release of Simple Bible Pro.

Read the Laridian announcement here.

1. Fixed Swipe to delete for the Installed Translations List
2. Added instructions for how to use the app in the Help Menu.
3. Changed File format for translations to accommodate better usability in the future.
4. Update the FAQ’s again.
5. Made Help Email subject include version #.
6. More code cleanup.

Our next release will allow the actual downloading of applications directly in the phone.  This should make things easier for any of you who may have trouble with the current method of installing new translations.