Vatican tour program finds use for technology
What do you get when you mix your typical Vatican tour guide with technology?
An iPod Vatican tour program being unveiled this week.
The Associated Press is reporting that the Holy See’s pilgrim agency is offering visitors to the Vatican museums an iPod which has a Vatican tour application designed to guide them through the vast, historic museums that draw tons of people every day.
Apparently, it’s a pilot program. It’s free, the AP reports. Visitors must leave their passport or some other similar document in exchange for the iPod, for security purposes. Then they are free to roam the museums with their trusty iPod guide in hand.
Read more about it here: Vatican tour meets technology
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Tuesday tidbit: iPad for the afterlife?
A recent story about the iPad recently captured my attention because one of my editors recently purchased one after saving for it for a while.
I saw the word “iPad” and the word ‘afterlife” and I immediately wondered what the two could possibly be doing together.
The Reuters story is out of Malaysia and involves the Qingming festival, also known as the tomb sweeping festival.
Read the full story here: “iPad 2 Sold Out in the Afterlife”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
New “Saint of the Day” app
St. Anthony Messenger Press just released its new Catholic iPhone app, “Saint of the Day.” 
Each daily entry includes a brief saint biography, commentary on the saint’s relevance to present-day life, and a reflective quote from Scripture, the saint, or another spiritual writer. The unique audio option allows consumers to listen to the entries if they choose, or read from the user-friendly screens. Special features include an extensive database — searchable by saint or cause — an interactive calendar, and a list of patron saints.
The app, which uses material from the best-selling book, “Saint of the Day,” has been the company’s most popular Web feature since 1997.
For more information, visit: “Saint of the Day”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oklahoma Baptists’ initiative now on iPhone
The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s My316 initiative is now available on an iPhone app. 
The evangelism campaign, started early this year, encourages Oklahoma’s Southern Baptists to share the gospel and their own faith testimony using a familiar and beloved passage of Scripture, John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
To get the app for iPhone, go to the app store on your phone and type in my316 and hit the search button. It will take yo to the My316 app.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Religion App of the Week
Here’s some information about a new religious app for all the folks looking for worthy apps to their app roster.
The app is called “The Life of Jesus” and it is being billed as the first-ever comprehensive mobile phone application dedicated to the life of the Christian savior. 
A news release sent out by the app’s developer, new media company DV8 Media, says that it contains cutting edge original video and audio productions, interactive games, Christian-themed communication tools and the full text of the New Testament.
“We wanted to bring the story of Jesus into a 21st century paradigm and align his teachings with the technical revolution we are all enjoying,” Geoff Tyson, DV8 managing director, said. “With the power of the iPhone, a talented international production team, a jaw-dropping fashionable aesthetic and the power of inspirational music, we can break down old paradigms and bring the teachings of Christ to a new, younger international audience,” he said.
For more information, go online to www.thelifeofjesus.net.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
