Overview of Olive Tree’s BibleReader 5.0 App for iPad, iPhone

In an effort to promote some outstanding mobile Bible software, I would love to post a whole series of videos that demonstrate capabilities of Olive Tree’s BibleReader app. This is a kick off post towards that effort; we’ll see if time permits for others to follow — I have several ideas for more advanced tutorials. 

To call BibleReader an “app” might be a bit misleading. It has such powerful and complex features, calling it “software” seems a bit more appropriate. Despite it’s complexity, it’s very intuitive to use as demonstrated by the video. After viewing the video, be sure to take a look at the companion remarks that follow. 







If you’ve ever given a speech, you may have found yourself reviewing your thoughts afterward. If so, inevitably, you will find yourself saying: “Man, I really wish I had done that differently!” Likewise, in the video above, I wish I had done a few things differently. However, having no notes and speaking impromptu … the video serves it’s purpose. It demonstrates the overall capabilities of the software.

Here are a few things were not mentioned, or should have been explained a little better:

  • The general display can be highly customized — far more than any other mobile Bible app to date.
    Not only can custom fonts be chosen, but different colors can be assigned to different parts of a window’s display:(text, background, words of Christ text, verse numbers, publisher’s cross-reference letters, etc …) Although these images are prior to BibleReader version 5.0, they demonstrate color schemes that can be reproduced in BibleReader 5.0.((Currently in BR 5.0, the pop up window’s default background can not be changed as it could in version 4.x. We are hoping this will change in the future.)) This one is a screen shot from BR 5.0.

  • I never mentioned this software has Bibles in many different languages; not to mention the rich ancient Hebrew and Greek parsed text and morphology tools.
    Please see Dr Stephen Cook’s article highlighting this capability.

  • I should have introduced annotations ( notes, highlights, and bookmarks) where they are normally used and created — in the text.
    In the video, I first mentioned them in relation to the “my stuff,” suit case icon. This is really a place to navigate them collectively according to optional organization features (folders and tags). 

  • When creating a note, typing any Bible verse reference, such as Mat 5:3, will become a hyperlink.
    When reading your note, taping the hyperlink will open a pop up window at that location, using the last opened Bible translation. 





Other Noteworthy Reviews:


6 Replies to “Overview of Olive Tree’s BibleReader 5.0 App for iPad, iPhone”

  1. Zachary Klein

    Excellent video/review! I especially liked the tip on bookmarking maps — I know you didn’t actually cover it yet, but I can see the value. Although do you find this to be more useful then the Resource Guide ‘Look Up’ menu? AFAIK all the available maps for BR5 (which is, two) have been enhanced, plus maps in the HCSB, ESV, Dake, and Harper Collins Study notes.

  2. KIM BELLE

    I have bible reader on my ipad and i am able to have scripture on one side of the screenand have a note pad on the other. however, on my xoom, it just shows the same scriptures on both sides and does not seem to give me an option of placing the note pad opposite of the scriptures… help! thanks

  3. Lyn

    My husband and I both use this Bible app and love having access to commentaries, etc. However, is there a way we can purchase and share those extra resources with immediate family … limited to just 1 additional person only?

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