We've uploaded 4.0.0 to Apple, so hopefully it will be available for download next weekend (approximately December 12-14.)  Here's what it's got:

Landscape (sideways) orientation implemented throughout (and added configurable option to turn off rotation)

This is really important for entering notes and searching, since the wider keyboard makes the keyboard, well... much more usable!

Searching speed increased by an order of magnitude

That's the good news.  The bad news is that this feature requires a new file format, so there's a bit of an upgrade path.  Luckily, we've thought this through, and have made it as painless as possible. There are 3 options for all the old files (Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, etc) that you have on your iPhone or iPod Touch now:

1. Do nothing and ignore the new speed feature.  Old files will still work with 4.0.0, at the same speed as before.
2. Download a new version from our server.  (You're given the option to do this automatically, and this is a good option if you have a fast internet connection.)
3. Re-index the file on your device.  (This can take from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of the file.  This is a good option if you have a poor internet connection.  Again, this option is given automatically.)

Any new files you download (or old ones that are re-downloaded) are already in the new 4.0.0 format.

Saving search results to a folder of bookmarks speed increased substantially and now includes activity indicator

This has always been a great (and unique) feature.  Now it's just way faster.

Personal notes are now automatically marked up with scripture cross-reference links (this is highly intelligent and will recognize hundreds of different notation systems, such as Genesis 1:1, Gen 1:1-2, Gn 1:1-2, Jude 4, etc.)

This is really cool.  You can create your own cross-reference system.  Just type a note, and put scripture references in your note.  Any time you view your note, those references can be tapped for a verse preview, just like with the existing commentaries and Strongs Number system.  Note:  While it supports just about any format you throw at it for book names, it only supports the standard Old and New Testament books, and it only supports ranges of verses within a chapter.  So, Gen 1:1-4 will work just fine, but Gen 3:10-4:15 will not work.

New Book Scroller (tap and hold in the bottom left corner and drag up to choose a book)

New Volume Scroller (tap and hold in the bottom right and drag up to choose from among installed Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, and other books)

These two new scrollers round out the new quick-tap navigation system.  Moving around the corners counter-clockwise, from upper right to lower right, you can tap and drag to select a verse, chapter, book, and volume.

Added ability to delete individual history items

Swipe your finger over an entry to delete it, or tap the edit button to delete a bunch of items, or tap "Clear" to clear everything.

New history options - Global or Local

Local history mode works like it always has.  Switch to "Global" to see every history item throughout all your volumes.  Tapping a history item

Additions to 4.0.0

Since Apple had a problem with our release and we had to upload a new version, we decided to incorporate some new items that we've been working on this past week.  When Apple finally approves 4.0.0, these features should make it in there:

Double-Tap Full Screen Toggle

A double-tap in either portrait (upright) or landscape (sideways) mode gives you a full screen of Bible-reading enjoyment.  (We've left in the small top status bar line, because everyone needs to be able to see that clock to know how much time is left in the sermon!  And if you have enough battery power left on the iPhone to make it to the end!)

Swipe Left and Right for Next and Previous Chapter

This is pretty important in full-screen mode.  Just swipe to the left to go to the next chapter, swipe to the right to go to the previous chapter.

Much Improved Navigation Detection

If you open a chapter at verse 1, then scroll down to verse 50, then close the program, where will you be when you start up again?  In 4.0.0 -- you'll be at verse 50.

Other Bug Fixes

Stray gray text in the settings page is fixed, "ghosts" left behind after deleting the last bookmark in a folder are gone, and the last bookmark folder you had open is now pre-selected when you restart the program.

Great!  I can't wait to use the note cross-reference tool!  Yesterday I took my note during our sermon and later synced it with the notes sync and logged in to make a change... the beta worked for me.

Since Apple kicked back 4.0 again, we've added the following items to 4.0 before uploading a fixed version:

Entering a scripture reference in search box now takes you directly to that location.

New Options Toolbar for quick access to: Highlighting, toggling Strongs Numbers, Daily Reading Plan, Help

Daily Reading Plan Feature:  one reading plan included, others available as an optional free download.  Program tracks which passages have been read and offers an option to open the plan to the current day's reading or to the last unread passage.

Swipe left and right to change chapters.

New tutorial tips for new users (with an option to turn them off under Tools, Options).

Set default font to 15 point.

Got rid of "Notes" header in note editing screen, making the note edit area bigger.

Alternate Strongs Integration -- any volume installed that's based on Strongs Numbers will show up as a link in the strongs definition.  This integrates Brown-Driver-Briggs', Thayer's Greek Definitions, and King James Concordance with the King James w/Strongs or NASB w/Strongs volumes.

New icon.

Selective restore now allows you to restore from your backup any one of:  Bookmarks, Notes, Highlights, Reading Log, or all.

Search results that have been visited are now marked with a checkmark.

Added back button to chapter and verse chooser screens.

Fixed bug in sorting of bookmarks

Program now remembers and reopens the last set bookmark folder.

Fixes to download status code -- we now show [NOTES] and [STRONGS] when those files are downloaded, all downloading information appears at the top of the table.

Many other minor cosmetic fixes and bug fixes

The app store still shows 3.1 version, but in the details it talks about version 4. WHen i try to download it it says that i already have this version. Is there another way to do this?

I could be wrong, but I don't think 4.0 is out yet. Funny that Apple puts the newer text up before actually releasing the new version though.

I agree, but it seems that burggraf was introducing the new version in this thread. I thought maybe i was missing a link or if i needed to go to a different site.

Looks like 4.0 is going to be great. It addressed some of the things i was looking for. These guys are on it.

From what I know Apple and Mantis have been back and fourth a few times working out minor 4.0 bugs.. it should appear as an update sometime very soon.  If you haven't already, please make and account with Mantis to backup your notes PRIOR to running the update.

iassume that version 4 is still not up. I have diownloaded the app twice now and keep getting the 3/1 version. I would like to buy more but would like not to have to update. How about some sort of notice when it is really available.

Mantis is actually super good about e-mail noticed when they have new things (assuming you're signed up). I wouldn't worry too much about upgrades. So far every one has been painless and easy. It is weird that Apple has the 4.0 text in the app store, but I'm sure that's not Mantis' fault.

You're correct -- Apple has not released it yet.  When they do, it'll show up as a free update.

Even more items have made it into the 4.0 release, including:

New Analyze Verse System with Dictionary Integration

The new Analyze Verse System has it's own screen, with tabs for:

• Compare (Translations)
• Commentaries
• Define (Define Word)
• My Notes (View / Edit your notes for the selected verse)

Compare and Commentaries should be pretty familiar.  What's dramatically new is the "Define" option.  In this screen, the current verse is displayed in the currently selected Bible.  A list of installed dictionaries is listed below.  Tapping any word in the verse will do an instant lookup of that word and display the results below.  You can tap a second or third word to look up a phrase, such as "John the Baptist."  If you have multiple dictionaries installed, you can toggle each one on or off, just like you can with commentaries.

Is there a beta release? I am over here dying er uh drooling waiting for it. It is kind of like going to someones house for dinner and they wait two or three hours until you are starving to feed you. I guess i will really enjoy it when i get it.

I understand how you feel, and believe me -- I'm as frustrated as you are.  To add to your frustration...

We do have a beta program, and the people testing this are really enjoying it (as am I).  I'd love to add you to the beta list, but at this time, I can't.  There's a problem with the site we use to add new devices to the list, and it says we're at our limit (even though we aren't.)  We've contacted Apple about this, and as soon as they respond and tell us how we can fix this, we'll be happy to add you to the beta team!