Handbook 1

According to my iOS friends, one of the most sought after features has been added to their Gospel Library app: Handbook 1.
Of course, that moves it up the requested features list from "really want" to "must have". Any word if it is in the works for Android?
Thanks,
D.G.

Back in September at a Bishopric meeting our first counselor "trained" our bishopric that Handbook 1 was now available in the Gospel Library. The bishop logged in on his iPhone, synced his library and sure enough, there it was. Being the second counselor, I attempted the same thing on my Samsung S5, but no go. That resource did not show up in my library.

I submitted an email to Android support and the response was "We're not aware of Handbook 1 being available in Gospel Library"

I figured there was some programming issue that still needed to be worked out in the Android version, but it's been a few months now since it was introduced to the iOS version and Android still does not have it.

I have not yet compared libraries to the iOS users, but I wonder what other resources Android users are missing out on just because they are using Android instead of iOS.

I suppose such is the plight of us Android users.

I would have thought a global smartphone market share of over 84% Android would have a bigger impact on development prioritization? Heh, I guess I just hope we get it sooner rather than later. /crosses fingers

ScottHindmarsh wrote:I have not yet compared libraries to the iOS users, but I wonder what other resources Android users are missing out on just because they are using Android instead of iOS.

I, an Android user, am not aware of any other resource other than this that is available to iOS and not to us. I also hope they are working on it.

ScottHindmarsh wrote:I would have thought a global smartphone market share of over 84% Android would have a bigger impact on development prioritization?

Three years ago (several mobile phone lifetimes ago!) I posted that question in this forum:

Which smartphone does church support?
If more Android OS phones are being sold worldwide, when will more Android apps be developed for LDS users?

Sound familiar? But to address the OP question about Handbook 1 is really "wishing" equality across all devices for LDS Apps, without moving that to any "action" that makes it so. Maybe the post below is dated, but nbflint gave us perspective on "development prioritization," and his last line suggests the "action" that will make equality a reality (I added the emphasis.)

nbflint wrote:

smp55 wrote:This being said, the fact that the DEVELOPERS (not the Church, of course) continue to treat Android users as second-class citizens seems a bit short-sighted.

Please remember that when you talk about "The Developers" you are talking about a group of volunteers who are creating and maintaining these apps more or less as a hobby. They don't owe you or me anything. "The Developers" choose which platforms and which apps they volunteer to work on based on any number of criteria and for any number of reasons. For example, I don't volunteer for Android projects because the platform doesn't interest me at this point in time. It's not that I'm being short-sighted; I simply enjoy the benefits of other platforms and have no interest in spending my very limited available time doing Android development.

What the church and the volunteer developer community are doing is nothing short of miraculous. I appreciate your fervor and encourage you to become a part of the solution. If you have the skills needed for development on your favored platform, volunteer them. If you don't, go get them.

I thought that content was shared between all platforms of Gospel Library – content being separate from app development. I'm not positive but I thought that was the case.

What is your calling? Not all members (not even all leadership callings) have access to Handbook 1.

sbradshaw wrote:I thought that content was shared between all platforms of Gospel Library – content being separate from app development. I'm not positive but I thought that was the case.

True, but access to Handbook 1 introduces the concept of enforcing access permissions, which is a development task, not simply content. So in this case it makes sense that the iOS and Android versions of Gospel Library could have different content until Android updates its permissions model.

Pretty, pretty please release Handbook 1 on Android devices, not just iPad/iPhone, for bishoprics and stake presidents.

nate, as a note, the Android and iOS apps typically leapfrog over each other. Android develops stuff that isn't in iOS and iOS develops stuff not in Android, it usually isn't log after one that the other picks it up. It hasn't always been that way, but it is the goal now.

Any word on this? It's now a year later and It's still not available. (To me anyway).

The next major release version of Gospel Library for Android will support role-based content. You can download the beta (actually, alpha) version of Gospel Library 3.5 for Android by doing the following:

First, join the LDSTech project "Gospel Library Android" (if you've never joined an LDSTech project before, you'll need to sign the ICLA):
https://tech.lds.org/projects?controlle ... ojectid=11

Next, join the Gospel Library BETA Google+ community:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities ... 5251519476

Finally, sign up as a tester through Google Play:
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.lds.ldssa

After that, you will see the beta version in the Google Play store from your device.

I'm not seeing it and have been on the beta for a very long time. I wonder if its because I switched my email to a google account that is not the primary on my phone? Is there a plan to also release it for download like LDS Tools does?

I'm able to see it under Leadership but it doesn't have an icon and nothing happens if I tap on it yet. I know they are still converting some of the content over to the new format and putting it into the system; maybe it's not completed yet. Are you able to at least see it in the list? Are you signed in with your LDS Account? Your Google account shouldn't matter, unless it affects whether or not you're able to get updates to the alpha. What do you mean by release for download? Do you mean as a PDF? LDS Tools for iOS doesn't allow you to download a PDF.

sbradshaw wrote:The next major release version of Gospel Library for Android will support role-based content. You can download the beta (actually, alpha) version of Gospel Library 3.5 for Android by doing the following:

First, join the LDSTech project "Gospel Library Android" (if you've never joined an LDSTech project before, you'll need to sign the ICLA):
https://tech.lds.org/projects?controlle ... ojectid=11

Next, join the Gospel Library BETA Google+ community:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities ... 5251519476

Finally, sign up as a tester through Google Play:
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/org.lds.ldssa

After that, you will see the beta version in the Google Play store from your device.

I've done all this and waited over night bit did not see an update to 3.5. Also when I go to this link

http://tech.lds.org/dl/android/

I only see the 3.2.13 Alpha. Am I doing something wrong?

ya, I had that same problem, there is actually a different app, it's called the gospel library preview

johnshaw wrote:ya, I had that same problem, there is actually a different app, it's called the gospel library preview

Was that on the Play store? I've looked there and can't find it.

This is how it appears in my playstore

Hmmmm yeah I don't see it in my Play store

Try this link: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/or ... sa.preview

I have a Samsung Note5. I am currently the 2nd councilor in the Bishopric. Our First Councilor has an Android phone as well. Both of us can't see handbook 1 on our Android devices. I also have an IPad. Handbook 1 is visible on it.

Today I noticed that the first councilor in the Stake Presidency had a Samsung Android tablet. I ask him if he has access to Handbook 1 on his Android device and he said he did.

Here is my conclusion:
1. Handbook 1 is available for everyone with the correct permissions for all IOS devices.
2. Handbook 1 is not available for councilors in the Bishopric for Android devices.
3. Handbook 1 is available for councilors in the Stake presidencies for Android devices.

It seems as if it is a permissions problem for councilors in the Bishopric.

How do we resolve this? I have signed up for the beta releases, but has not helped.

Thanks, Brother Gerber

ngerbermps@gmail.com wrote:Today I noticed that the first councilor in the Stake Presidency had a Samsung Android tablet. I ask him if he has access to Handbook 1 on his Android device and he said he did.

Are you sure? Are you sure he's not running a beta version?

Edit: are you sure he was using GL? Because I can access Handbook 1 via LDS.org.

Handbook 1 is different from other content because it is role-based – meaning that your access is based on your LDS Account permissions.

The released version of Gospel Library for iOS already supports and allows access to Handbook 1. The released version of Gospel Library for Android does not.

There's a preview version of Gospel Library 4.0 (above I said 3.5, but it's actually 4.0, sorry for the confusion) for Android that becomes available on Google Play after following the link posted by eblood66 above. On the preview version, role-based content (including Handbook 1) is supported. If you are on the Gospel Library 4.0 preview, logged in with your LDS Account, and you still don't see Handbook 1, you can help the developers troubleshoot by using in-app feedback or posting to the Gospel Library beta community.

Does the second counselor in the Bishopric have restrictions that they can't get the Hand Book 1 on Gospel Library? The Ward Clerk has it, but not the 2nd counselor. He has an Android phone device that he is trying to get it on.

clwilson911 wrote:Does the second counselor in the Bishopric have restrictions that they can't get the Hand Book 1 on Gospel Library? The Ward Clerk has it, but not the 2nd counselor. He has an Android phone device that he is trying to get it on.

I am guessing that the ward clerk is using the beta version of Gospel Library and that the 2nd counselor is not. Unless he wants to load the beta version, he will have to wait (as will I) until GL 4.0 for Android is released.

In the meantime, Handbook 1 is available by using the browser and going to LDS.org if there is an urgent need. But I also look forward to getting it in GL.

Thank you I will notify him of this and see what he is using.

I am a new bishop. Both of my counselors have access to Handbook 1 through Gospel Library. Both have iPhones. I have an Android and I do not have access. I was informed by the GSC/LCR that Handbook 1 is not available on Android and will likely not be for several months. Is there a Beta out that I can get on the Android? Not having it is very challenging (i.e., can't access Handbook 1 without internet access; cannot annotate/bookmark, etc.). Please advise access to a Beta version for Android. Thanks.

I see H1 in the beta, but not the regular release.

There's a "preview" version of Gospel Library 4.0 for Android that includes Handbook 1. However, annotations and bookmarks you make won't be saved when the app updates (it's still considered a preview instead of a beta because sync/annotations and content are in flux). But, you're welcome to try out the app, to at least see Handbook 1, and send feedback:

1) Join the "Gospel Library Android" LDSTech project and/or the Gospel Library BETA Google+ community to stay in the loop for updates and feedback.
2) Opt in on Google Play to the preview version of the app.
3) Search for "Gospel Library Preview" in the Google Play store (it will appear as a separate app from Gospel Library) and install it.