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Why Isn’t the Bible App Optimized for iPhone 5?

We hope you’ve already downloaded the latest update of the Bible App™ for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), available now in the iTunes App Store. With each release, we try to bring you with the best experience possible on the device of your choice.

If you have an iPhone 5, while the newest release of the Bible App will work just fine on your device, you’ll probably notice that it doesn’t fill your new, larger screen. But all of the features you know and love in the Bible App are still there, along with a few improvements.

Unfortunately, if we update the Bible App to add support for the iPhone 5’s taller screen, Apple requires us to drop support for many iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches with older operating systems. That would mean that the 700–900 people who are installing the Bible App on these older devices every day wouldn’t be able to get it at all. It also means that many thousands of others wouldn’t be able to upgrade the Bible App they already have installed.

More than 69 million people have installed the Bible App so far. While that number includes Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone, and many other types of devices, almost 30 million people are using the Bible App on Apple devices. We simply can’t justify compromising simple, free access to God’s Word for so many people just because they have older devices.

Now, we’re constantly reviewing downloads, how often and how long people interact with the Bible App, and what devices they’re using to connect. We take very seriously our responsibility to position our development resources where they’ll have the greatest impact. And our simple mission remains the same: To help as many people as possible engage with the Bible, no matter where they live or what language they prefer—or even which Apple device they happen to have.

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Bible App Adds More Choices with Several New Reading Plans

Even though YouVersion already has more than 300 Reading plans for you to choose from, we’re constantly adding terrific new ones. Check out all of these brand-new options, available right now:

John Piper – Six new devotional plans from renowned Bible teacher John Piper delve deep into the meaning and context of key Biblical principles. Explore Finding Real Happiness (3 days), God’s Pleasure in Creating (3 days), The Fascinating Love of God (3 days), God’s Joy in Jesus (5 days), The Powerful Promise of God (5 days), and Quest for Joy (6 days).

Francis Chan & David Platt – Designed to train disciples (like you!) to make more disciples, this plan is a companion to the Multiply Movement. Co-creators Francis Chan and David Platt share their practical insights for how you can fulfill this most important responsibility for followers of Christ. 168 days

James MacDonald – From Pastor James MacDonald and the acclaimed Walk in the Word series, God at Work will help you see the things God is doing in our world today—and in your life. Authentic Prayer helps you get started in the genuine dialog with God that you’ve always wanted. 7 days each

Matt Redman – This new devotional plan from worship leader and multiple Dove Award winner Matt Redman takes you behind the scenes into the Scriptures and insight that inspired the songs on his popular 10,000 Reasons album. 11 days

She Reads Truth – Designed by women for women, She Reads Truth is an online community that helps women connect with the Bible and with each other. The Galatians (15 days), Ephesians (17 days), and Philippians (11 days) plans from She Reads Truth each offer a daily reading, context and recap, followed by devotional questions.

The Overflow – New website The Overflow offers Christian music for digital download. This month, YouVersion adds three new devotional reading plans developed by artists from The Overflow’s catalog. Check out new plans from Propaganda, Vertical Church Band, and Deon Kipping. 7 days each

What’s a Reading Plan?

If you haven’t already been using Reading plans from YouVersion to get into God’s Word, you don’t know what you’ve been missing! Reading plans have proven to be one of the easiest, most efficient ways you can engage with the Bible every day. Simply search for a plan, study, or devotional that interests you and sign up with your free YouVersion account. Then each day when you open the Bible App, you’ll find a manageable portion of reading waiting for you. It’s easy—and practical! Reading plans serve you with His Word in a way that gives you plenty of time to reflect on all that you’ve just read.

And once you complete the plan you’re on, just come back and search for the next thing you want to learn about. It really is that easy!

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Making Connections and Casting Vision

It’s always a pleasure when the YouVersion community has a chance to connect in person, and a few conferences recently have given us the perfect opportunity.

Catalyst 2012 in Atlanta

YouVersion’s Co-Founder and LifeChurch.tv Innovation Pastor, Bobby Gruenewald spoke at Catalyst Labs and with Catalyst Backstage to share a vision for the future, and for our generation to become the most Bible-engaged generation in history. As you watch his interview, be on the lookout for what’s coming up in the Bible App!

National Day of Prayer in the UK

Our YouVersion UK rep, James Poulter, had the following to share about his experience at the National Day of Prayer in the UK:

What happens when you take 3 years of planning, 100 choir members, seven Worship leaders, thousands of churches, and 40,000 Christians from across the UK and put them in Wembley Stadium? The National Day of Prayer – that’s what!

Saturday 29 September saw one of the biggest gatherings of Christians in the UK in more than two decades as the faithful from across the country flocked to sing God’s praises and bathe the nation in prayer under Wembley’s great arch.

If you weren’t able to join the masses, then you can still get involved. Try out the Neighbours: Love Your Streets reading plan on YouVersion for 30 days of devotions and prayers to focus on how you can bring God’s love to those living around you.

 

 

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YouVersion Adds Indonesian and Filipino Languages

The Bible App now in Indonesian and FilipinoNow you can set your Bible App or YouVersion.com to Indonesian or Filipino, experiencing all of YouVersion’s screens, controls, and menus in these—as well as any of twenty-one other languages! Besides Indonesian and Filipino versions of the Bible, you’ll also find reading plans. Simply set the language on your device to Indonesian or Filipino, or select it from within your Bible App Settings. And it’s just as easy at YouVersion.com: just choose whatever language you want from the bottom right. If any of your friends speak Indonesian or Filipino, please be sure to share this exciting news with them!

Indonesian

Indonesian is now available on the Bible App for iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Android, and BlackBerry, and of course at YouVersion.com. We’re also now offering Bible reading plans in Indonesian, as well as four different Bible versions, listed under Bahasa Indonesia.

Three of these Bibles:
Bahasa Indonesia Masa Kini (BIMK),
Indonesian Terjemahan Baru (TB), and
Alkitab Terjemahan Baru (TB), are all provided by key YouVersion partner Indonesian Bible Society.

Download the Free Alkitab App

Filipino

You can also choose Filipino for your Bible App for Android or at our website, bible.com. And you’ll find two classic versions of the Bible in Filipino, listed under Tagalog:

Magandang Balita Bible (Revised) (RTPV05), provided by the Philippine Bible Society, Ang Biblia (TLAB), and Ang Salita ng Dios with audio bible. We’ve also added Bible reading plans in Filipino!

Download the Free Filipino Bible App

Because of You…

YouVersion’s simple mission is to make the Bible available to as many people as we can, in whatever language they prefer. While we partner with generous publishers to offer Bibles in the languages people need, there’s a lot more to YouVersion than that—menus, tools, and other resources—that all need to be translated. The only way we can make that happen is with volunteers—people just like you—working together, using their gifts to help share God’s Word with everyone. Of course, we never stop working to improve the Bible App, so there’s always more translation you can help with. If you’d like to help change the world by translating into Indonesian or Filipino (or into other languages), we’d love for you to partner with us!

Here’s just a taste of what it can mean in your own life when you volunteer to help YouVersion with translation, from two of our key volunteers in Indonesian and Filipino:

YouVersion Indonesian language volunteer Helen G.“I decided to volunteer for YouVersion because I have a desire to see more Indonesians have God’s Word, to read the Word in the language they understand the best so they can grow deeper in the knowledge of who God is, in faith and to love Him. Volunteering for YouVersion drives me closer to God, knowing His heart for the believers and unbelievers. It also motivates and encourages me to serve the Lord here in the States. Hopefully, we will serve Him in Indonesia soon.”
—Helen G., Lucasville, Ohio, U.S.

YouVersion Filipino language volunteer Tams L.

“I was so inspired and blessed by the excellent work and generous giving of time and effort towards building the Bible App that I decided I would like to help too. It feels great to get to work with people from various parts of the globe. I learn a lot simply from interacting with them. Twenty years ago, this would have been very difficult. Technology, however, has changed how things are done, and my prayer is that Christ followers may utilize technology in sharing with and helping one another.”
—Tams L., Quezon City, Philippines

 

 

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Video Devotionals Launch in the Bible App

You may know that YouVersion already offers hundreds of versions you can read in many languages, along with audio Bibles you can listen to as you’re doing other things. Now we’re also adding video devotionals you can watch on your mobile device and at YouVersion.com!

The Overflow has graciously partnered with YouVersion to provide Video Plans from six popular Christian recording artists. Spend time with Scripture as you enjoy insight from gifted teachers, speakers, and now—musicians!

Each plan brings you video with accompanying devotional text and Bible reading. No matter what your learning style, video devotionals are a great way for you to study God’s Word. Enjoy brand-new content from artists like:

Lecrae – Accompanying the release of his latest album, Gravity, Lecrae has put together a reading plan that takes you into his world, sharing the gospel of salvation and grace. (Also features KB and Derek Minor.) 8 days

Newsboys – Highlighting tracks from their 2011 release, God’s Not Dead, this exclusive plan dives into God’s Word, exploring content from some of the Newsboys’ favorite worship songs, including “Mighty to Save,” “I Am Second,” and the title track. 7 days

Tenth Avenue North – Digging into their album, The Struggle, singer Mike Donehey explains devotional truth behind the title track. Deeper in, you’ll find daily readings for “Don’t Stop the Madness,” “Losing,” and five more Tenth Avenue North songs from the album. 7 days

for KING & COUNTRY – Named one of Billboard Magazine’s “Artists to Watch” in 2012, for KING & COUNTRY put together a devotional that breaks down seven songs from their debut album Crave, including “Proof of Your Love.” 7 days

Dara Maclean – With seven songs from her debut album, You Got My Attention, Dara Maclean offers you an in-depth look at her passion for Jesus, revealing the heart behind tracks like “Suitcases,” “Yours Forever,” and “Free.” 7 days

Hawk Nelson – Showcasing songs from their album Crazy Love, this devotional delves into the verses behind Hawk Nelson’s “We Can Change The World,” “Done Holding On,” and the title track. 7 days

While the video portion of these plans is available now exclusively on iPhone, Android, and at YouVersion.com (and coming soon to iPad!), you can access the text portion on any mobile device where you use your plans. Try one now! They’re easy to find in the New Plans category. And whether you’re watching a video devotional, listening to an audio Bible, or checking out one of our Featured Plans, we hope all of these Plans help you continue engaging with the Bible!