PocketSword 1.0

While browsing The Sword Project site I was happy to see PocketSword has been released.  PocketSword is the Sword app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.  If you have never heard of The Sword Project here is their statement: The SWORD Project is the CrossWire Bible Society's free Bible software project. Its purpose is to create cross-platform open-source tools-- covered by the GNU General Public License-- that allow programmers and Bible societies to write new Bible software more quickly and easily. We also create Bible study software for all readers, students, scholars, and translators of the Bible, and have a growing collection of over 200 texts in over 50 languages.  PocketSword is built on the Sword backend and is a free download from the iTunes store.


PocketSword takes a moment to load then you are presented with Genesis 1:1 in the KJV.  Across the top of the app is a back arrow, the book chapter and verse, and a forward arrow.   Tapping the center button brings up a click wheel to quickly select book, chapter and verse.  On the bottom of the screen there are five buttons; Bible, Commentary; Modules, Bookmarks, and More. The Bible button brings up the current Bible module.  The Commentary button loads the current commentary module if there is one installed.  (I do not use the commentary feature so get a blank page stating, No modules installed.  In Modules all installed modules are listed either under Biblical Texts or Commentaries; with the tap of a finger you can switch between modules.  The Bookmarks page has two buttons across the top, Edit and a plus sign.  Edit allows you to delate any bookmark and the plus sign adds the book, chapter and verse use selected with the click wheel.  More has three options; Downloads, Preferences, and About.  Downloads allows the installation of both Bible modules and Commentary modules. 


The overall feel is snappy with no lag between page loads.  Things that are lacking include a search feature, Strong's numbers, Dictionaries, copy-paste, and a Notes feature. While not complete Version 1.0 is a good start.  (PocketSword has now been updated adding, history, search, dictionaries, and copy-paste.  According to the developer the next update will support Strong's numbers. 2-8-10)