Good but ...  
By: Siarvey - Jan 6, 2011
Version: 5.0
Great new design and features but crashes every time I am reading

Beautiful but messed up  
By: salfamily - Jan 6, 2011
Version: 5.0
Keeps crashing when I'm trying to read my Bible! Reading plan descriptions not complete and no ability to change name of reading plan even though option to change is offered. Please do a whole lotta bug fixin'! Thanks.

Waited to judge  
By: JDincs - Jan 5, 2011
Version: 5.0
As per previous reviews I have used the app for a little while before writing a review. I still don't like it. None of the settings I can find to change affect anything that matters. Color and font and what fingers turn pages....who cares. I miss the old format. Even good reviews hate the new verse finder and I agree. I'm not finding anything in this new version I felt was an improvement. Since I just invested in a translation I enjoy before the update, I'm feeling very ill used. I don't feel this update is more attractive, user friendly or adds any features.

App Crashes  
By: Report a Concern -
Version:
Before I say anything, I just want to say how thankful I am for Olive Tree. They've been meeting this need for so many years and they have stepped up to the plate for the iPhone--there's nothing in their league. With that said, here are a few thoughts:1-I am thrilled to finally be able to search within a single book. I had this ten years ago on my Palm Pilot.2- I don't like the new icon. It doesn't blend in well with other icons and the shading actually makes it look smaller than those around it. 3-I miss the verse picker too. I know the update has a similar look if you select it, but the new one looks like it uses HTML to scale to the screen, so it doesn't fit on a single screen anymore. It looses the polish it had and seems sloppy to have to scroll. (I'm using an iPhone; perhaps the iPad is different). 4-I like having a resident Bible that doesn't need the cloud. If I want the cloud, I use Logos and it takes quite a bit longer. The new design makes me think you're moving toward the cloud and that makes me nervous. 5-The update process was confusing. I found a whole bunch of books that needed updating one-at-a-time in the library. Then I found more in the store. I'm not sure what to update and how many times to do it. And I wish I could delete the multiple "imported trash" subcategories that have been created. 6-I feel like I have less screen space on my iPhone. The edges and such are pretty, but I'd rather fit more words on the screen. And entering notes in the tiny box is cumbersome--it takes multiple taps to even make it fullscreen. 7-The 5.0 updates does crash quite a bit and kick you out of the app. It typically works fine once you return, but this make it hard to recommend. Still, I love this software. I love having parsed Greek and Hebrew in my my pocket. Thank you Olive Tree!

Outstanding update  
By: peasant - Jan 4, 2011
Version: 5.0
First, I love the new icon. Much more sophisticated. Secondly, as other reviewers have observed, most of the complaints by negative reviewers are simply wrong. I PREFER the new Verse Chooser, but again, if one prefers the old grid format, that's available. Although the new Library and Go To buttons take a little getting used to, once one familiarizes himself with them, they are a significant leap in usability, esp. on the iPad. The Verse Chooser allows one to move to the another chapter in the same book or another verse in the same chapter at the very top. That means one doesn't have to do the 3-taps-backwards routine (making sure you stay in the right book and/or chapter) just to change verses.The only criticism I partially agree with is the extra margin around the edges of the text. I can understand that would undesirable on an iPhone/iPod touch. I find it attractive on the iPad. Hopefully the developers will add a setting to return to the old margins, at least on the iPhone/iPod touch.One reviewer wants the ability to copy multiple verses: it's right in the interface: as in iBooks or Kindle, select a word, extend the selection, and select "copy" from the popup dialog.I love the ability to customize gestures--I'm still learning how to maximize that abiility.This version takes an excellent app to the next level

ok  
By: mongchacha - Jan 4, 2011
Version: 5.0
the only real improvement over olive tree's other bible readers is the fact that the scrolling is a bit smoother. that's not to say that it doesn't need work, 'cause it does. what's the deal with scrolling? is it a programming issue? why can't it be smoother? also, not a big fan of the new verse look-up method; the old one where all the books show up like a chart is much, much better. i also liked the overall look of the old version, where menus would be tucked away and the text would take up the entire real-estate of the screen - I think that's really nice. i also much prefer the transparent pop-up bubble. anyway, despite these issues, I'm glad the other app hasn't adopted this "upgrade." I basically liked everything about the old app, except for the choppy scrolling.

Feels like a beta  
By: richshome - Jan 3, 2011
Version: 5.0
I like the new look. I even like the new scripture search function. What I don't like are all the glitches. If this was a beta release I would even be ok with those but people are paying money for this. It crashes often. All my notes and Bible reading plans are gone. The fact that you can only copy one verse at a time is a total step backwards. Navigation is slower. overall, this is a bad release. If all the glitches are fixed I will definitely change my rating.

BUYER BEWARE  
By: Culthbert - Jan 3, 2011
Version: 5.0
DO NOT PURCHASE. If you are upgrading, you are smart to be reading this before choosing to update. I have lost all of my notes and highlights from nearly a year of in-depth research and study. The app does not synch from old version to new version. Instead of thinking update (newer & better) think update (system restore). The reference feature is shockingly worse and slow. You could find verses quicker with a normal bible. The app is NOT USER FRIENDLY AT ALL. I have gone from someone who used this app just about daily, to someone who is considering dusting off my hardcopy. DISAPPOINTING!!!!!! (I would rate it zero, but it won't let me! "1" is too high!)

Bad/ Hard format  
By: CRAZZYZ - Jan 3, 2011
Version: 5.0
After updating, the bible reader took on a different format, making it harder to navigate, not a good thing in the digital world. It was easier before.

Drawing board  
By: Bballhrking - Jan 3, 2011
Version: 5.0
New update: good and badNew app icon-looks betterSwipes like a page out of a bookA bit easier to pick a verse out of the page than before. easier bookmarking and library selectioneasier to enter a verse and chapter search (but at a price)There's probably more but I haven't noticed yet. go back to full page selection for: book, chapter and verse. You put a nice quick go to on the main page but then you have to scroll through all 66 books to get to the one you're looking for, and I know where every book is located and still takes too long. Takes me about 15-20 seconds to get to book chapter and verse now versus the 4-5 it did when I could see all the books chapters and verses in one page. stop reverting back to the ASV version whenever I go back to the app. A bit annoying considering thats not even the original version/translation of the bible, it's been modified by people who shouldn't be meddling with these things. I'd like to go back to what I was just reading in  not a complaint but since you went to the trouble of making it look like a book and pages swiping, add some controllable sound to it? Make it sound like you're thumbing through pages of the bible?

Nice update, but very buggy  
By: Reinmanjax - Jan 3, 2011
Version: 5.0
Crashes a lot. Brand new iPad running the latest OS. Especially with the reading plans. Needs more testing and an update soon.

Needs a little cleanup.  
By: Imuneekru - Jan 2, 2011
Version: 5.0
I agree with those that say that the new version is designed better for iPad, and needs to get rid of all the clunky tool bars. On the whole, it is a beautiful app, and very well designed. It is rich and features and does almost everything that I need to do for serious Bible study. I'm still waiting to be able to download all my notes from Evernote that were made in the previous version. Fix that and get rid of the toolbars on the iPhone, and this app absolutely get five stars. It's a masterpiece of engineering.

Fantastic!!!  
By: bryancl331 - Jan 2, 2011
Version: 4.04
This is hands down best app for bible study I have ever used. Many of the recent 1 and 2 star reviews are without merit. One of the earlier commenters was correct about having to use the app before you obliterate a lot of peoples intentions of ever using the app. All of the new features are much appreciated. We also must focus on what is the main purpose of downloading any app like this, to deliver access to the word of god. This does that task beautifully with a large resource library that can help people at whatever point they are at in their walk with Christ. I love the Study bibles that are available. I have a couple in print and it's great to be able to have an electronic version readily access able on a device such as this. I would automatically recommend this app to anyone with a device running iOS.

Copy Verse(s)  
By: BsaktHiG - Jan 2, 2011
Version: 5.0
What happened to "copy multiple verses?"

What were you thinking?  
By: truesci - Jan 1, 2011
Version: 5.0
I have loved Olive Tree's Bible reader for quite some time now. This update added a few cool features, but in general all the menus are clunkier. I need something that I can change verses quickly in church (or ever for that matter). I don't want to scroll 5000 pages to get to Revelation 22.21. The old verse chooser was much quicker. What is the deal with the "use book image" on the background? I didn't realize books had espresso brown pages. The whole program runs slower, some menus take a full second or two to load. I can't delete any of my searches. I deleted one and now it stays in the library as an unreadable document.

Don't buy it or rely on it  
By: Diplomattm - Jan 1, 2011
Version: 5.0
I had the previous version before they created a new engine and tricked me into upgrading. The new version does not allow multiple verse copying so the pastors text cannot be copied into your notes and you can't prepare lessons like before. Also the search windows and the references and lower windows lose your place and you have to scroll or re -search to get back where you were. This version looks like it has more -- but it's really less Just like the iPad. A piece of corporate control that promised good service. Don't download or buy this until they fix it -- and the iPad for that matter. Deliberate limitations and taking away features is very disturbing. I invested money because of the functionality they originally had and they took it back. I want my money back. Now, please.

WOW!  
By: Challenged! - Dec 31, 2010
Version: 5.0
I rarely take the time to review, but with all the one and two star reviews, I figured I better. This app is amazing. All other iOS Bible software apps don't even come close to how slick this is. The resource guide is amazing. Sure, there are a few bugs with a new release that will eventually get squashed. But, by no means does that warrant a rating less than 4 or 5 stars. Oh yeh... Love the look and feel consistent with iBooks. The UI team at Olivetree should be given a raise. It's awesome!!! EDIT: The crazy thing as I read poor reviews is that the very functionality that some complain of not being there is actually there. One such example is verse selection. The default can be changed from list to grids. Come on folks, use the app before giving it a poor rating!

WOW!  
By: Challenged! - Dec 31, 2010
Version: 5.0
I rarely take the time to review, but with all the one and two star reviews, I figured I better. This app is amazing. All other iOS Bible software apps don't even come close to how slick this is. The resource guide is amazing. Sure, there are a few bugs with a new release that will eventually get squashed. But, by no means does that warrant a rating less than 4 or 5 stars. Oh yeh... Love the look and feel constant with iBooks. The UI team at Olivetree should be given a raise. It's awesome!!!

Great reading plans!  
By: Happybill - Dec 31, 2010
Version: 5.0
The daily reading plans are outstanding and make reading the Bible daily easy to track.

longtime Biblereader fan....  
By: Highlandr9 - Dec 31, 2010
Version: 5.0
another step in a good direction. like the new resource guide a lot. Love the idea of beibg able to sync all your "stuff" now. Just a few observations:1. please bring back the orientation lock. having it in app (especially for any reader app) is critical, and lets face it, Apple's iOS 4 lock is a little too out of the way for quick use. 2. in order to maxunuze space, taje a look at thinning the size of the titlebar on the secondary window. or make it a small text title like the main window has, with the same tap to hide buttons functionality. 3. Not sure why the evernote sync qas changed, but when i tried to sync a few notes (of my 100+) by moving them to the new notebook they came over without scripture references. keep up the good work!!

Fantastic  
By: Report a Concern -
Version:
The IPod used to scroll text up and down and now it won't. I thought the new update would allow for up/down scrolling on the iPad too, but instead you took away real scrolling on the iPod, BAD MOVE! I really really want that feature on both devices. Love the app, but not happy with the update. It really doesn't change much, mostly just the looks. Can't seem to sync it yet, may be a bug? Ignore the the guy that said you can change scrolling under advance/scrolling... It shouldn't be called "scrolling" at all or even page "turning"... You can flick one full page at a time or chose to tap and flick which messes with the other functions. The pages don't "turn" pretty like the books app either...it's more like clunking into place.