Olive Tree Bible Software today announced the launch of the best-selling New International Version (NIV) Red Letter Edition on Handhelds and PDA’s. This version of the Bible, popular amongst evangelists, has now become available on Olive Tree’s cutting edge Bible software, bringing it to the rising numbers of handheld and Smartphone mobile users.

"Translated by the leading biblical scholars in the world, the NIV is the most read and most trusted modern English translation in the world. More than 215 million copies of the NIV have been sold or distributed since its release more than 30 years ago. Some of the proceeds from every NIV purchase help fund Bible translation work around the world through the International Bible Society," explains Cameron Conant, Public Relations Manager at Zondervan, the exclusive North American publisher of the NIV.

The software is designed for personal reading but can also be used for intensive Bible Studying. The Palm OS and Pocket PC versions will include bookmarks, personal notes, colour highlighting and the ability to divide your screen to display multiple texts at a time.

Along with many more features, the software has search capability and can be supplemented by commentaries, devotionals, Bible dictionaries, Greek and Hebrew tools and additional Bible versions. The software is compatible with most devices including the Palm OS, Pocket PC, Smartphones, which includes the new Nokia Handsets, and also Symbian and BlackBerry devices.

"Our software makes it easy to take the NIV wherever you go," says Kristi Allen, Project Manager at Olive Tree, "This leading Bible translation becomes even more functional when it is enhanced by our innovative, user-friendly technology."

The news follows the continuing move by Christians around the world to a more technologically friendly culture, with rising numbers now taking advantage of the wealth of resources becoming available through the internet and mobile phone industries.