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The
iPod touch is a useful tool and it is entertaining. I recently purchased
one and thought I would share with you some of the useful features
that it has. I would also like to share with you my recommendations
for setting the device to be a child friendly as possible.
Tools for Christians:
There are several great apps that will put the power of God’s
Word in the palm of your hand and give you powerful tools to help
quickly dig deeper into the meaning of Scripture. Some of these
apps are free and others cost a small amount.
Free Apps:
Olive Tree Bible Reader 4: For a free version of the Bible it
worth having. It has KJV, ASV, and NET available and the ability
to search our key word and phrases. It has Matthew’s Concise
Commentary and other free resources available. This program can
be expanded, but it will cost you. More details can be found here
http://www.olivetree.com/iphone/
Logos: To use this software, you have to be connected to the
internet, but it has many tools available (too many to mention
here). One of my favorite features is the ability to do a text
comparison between different versions of the Bible where it displayed
on the same screen. Some of the books that are available are kind
of difficult to navigate, but it does allow you to do searches
in the Bible and in the books. More features are available if
you own Logos on your computer. More details can be found here
http://www.logos.com/iphone
PocketSword: This app is no longer being supported, but what
I like about it is that it has Strongs available for free. It
even has morphology available for free. More details can be found
here http://crosswire.org/pocketsword/PocketSword/PocketSword/PocketSword.html
Easton Bible Dictionary v1.0: Is a free Bible dictionary. Just
do a search for it in the app store.
Dictionary: A great
dictionary that is available offline once you install it. Just
do a search for it in the app store.
Paid Apps:
Mega Bibles: ($1.99)
“24 English Bibles are covered in this Bible app including
all the most popular modern translations as well as classics.
Each chapter has a detailed commentary from a respected source.
Includes the ability to search and to copy verses to the clipboard.”
I am not for sure how to tell which commentary they are using,
but it this program is worth having access to all these different
versions of the Bible offline once it is downloaded. More details
can be found here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mega-bibles/id368990321?mt=8
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Mega Commentaries:
($1.99) “23 of the most well respected commentaries on the Bible
are included in this app. Search these great works and browse wise explanations
of the teaching of the Bible.” As with any commentary, you need
to realize that you should use them with caution because they are not
inspired, but they can be helpful. These are a lot of the older conservative
commentaries. A great resource to have in the palm of your hands. More
details can be found here http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mega-bible-commentaries/id370424749?mt=8
Mega Bible Maps:
($1.99) “All 408 locations, cities, towns, kingdoms etc in the
Bible are mapped, with detailed descriptions. Dynamic touch maps serve
as your guide to get perspective. A search engine, browser and chapter
picker aid in finding exactly what you're looking for.” I have
not used this one much, but it is a neat program. It gives the information
about given city and shows you where it is on a modern satellite imaged
map.
I have not
tried the Mega Bible Dictionary or Encyclopedia ($1.99 each), but if
they are anything like the above programs, they will be worth the small
cost. If I find more useful programs that have to do with the Bible
I will post them.
GoodReader:
(.99) This is a must have app if you want to be able to store files
from your computer to the iPod and be able to read your pdf, word, txt
and other documents. It has a great feature that takes the text from
pdf file and makes it easy to read on your iPod. More detail can be
seen here http://www.goodiware.com/goodreader.html
Parental
Controls:
As Christian
parents, we need to keep an eye on what are children are doing on their
Ipod. I wish the Ipod had some way of filtering the internet using the
installed browser Safari, but it does not. I would recommend disabling
Safari because there is little need for them to browse the internet
when they could do that on the regular computer. However, if you want
them to be able to browse the internet just install Safe Browser –
With Internet Filters & Parental Controls ($4.99) or an app that
is equivalent.
I recommend
the following settings be put in place on your child’s iPod. Click
settings. Click General. Scroll down to Restrictions and click on it.
Click on enable restrictions and enter a 4 digit code (write it down
and do not lose it). Turn Safari off to disable browsing the internet
unrestricted. Turn YouTube off if you are concerned about what they
may watch on it. Change Music & Podcasts to off to keep explicit
stuff from playing. Change movies to whatever rating you allow your
child to watch. Change TV shows to whatever rating you allow them to
watch. Change the Apps to 12+ or under. This last setting will prevent
your child from downloading apps that have a higher rating than 12 years
old. Note: Unfortunately this restriction will not prevent the mature
apps from being listed, but it will not allow them to be download.
Other Great Apps:
The Whether
Channel
Textfree – Assigns you phone number and allows you to send and
receive texts for free. You do have to be connected to the internet.
Planets – Shows the planets and constellations in your area to
make it easy to find them in the sky.
Dragon Dictation- Voice to text. Works great sometimes, but not so great
other times. Can be helpful when it does not make to many mistakes because
you can copy your text to wherever you want to.
Flixter – Shows the latest movies coming out in theaters and DVD.
Gives you a trailer for each.
Flashlight- handy when you need some extra light.
iHandy Level- turn your iPod into a level.
Yelp – Gives you ratings
on places you might go restaurants, drug stores etc.
If you have
any recommended Apps that you think I should include on this list let
me know and I will check them out and post them if I like them.
Cougan Collins
