Category Archives: iPhone

Introducing Explore Metro maps 3.0 for iPhone and iPad

Today, we’re launching a major update to our apps! Explore Beijing, Explore Shanghai, Explore Guangzhou, Explore Hong Kong, Explore Taipei and Explore Singapore have all been updated to version 3.0. This includes new native support for iPad and iPad 2!

We’ve taken the best features of the iPhone/iPod touch experience and redesigned them to work on the iPad’s larger screen. Here’s what you’ll see when you start Explore Shanghai.

 

Of course, the metro map takes centre stage. You can search for a station with the search bar, or tap on any station for timetables and route-planning:

 

Notice the “flip” button? A great new feature is the ability to “flip” the screen to see a large Google Map of the station and surrounding area:

Other nearby stations are highlighted. You can also tap the “locate” button  to centre the map on your current location.

Because the apps are “Universal” apps, they work both on iPhone/iPod touch (including retina graphics!) and iPad/iPad 2. If you’ve already bought one of our apps for iPhone, you can install it on iPad for free. And of course, updating to version 3.0 is free. Not downloaded yet? Our apps cost just $1.99 on the iTunes App Store: download now!

We’d love to hear your feedback about ways to improve our apps. Do get in touch if you find any bugs or have any suggestions!

More Metro construction kicks off in Shanghai and Beijing

A couple of announcements this week: the Shanghai Metro announced that work was underway on three new lines: Metro Line 12, Line 13 and Line 16, as well as an extension to the existing Line 11.

Line 12, linking the northeast of the city to the southwest, will have 32 stations along 40 kilometers, passing through eight districts. Passengers will be able to transfer to Line 1 and 13 at Hanzhong Road Station, to Line 2 and 13 at Nanjing Road W. Station and to Line 1 and 10 at Shaanxi Road S. Station.

Line 13 will include 14 stations, with 16 kilometers of track stretching from suburban Jiading District to downtown Jing’an District. Three stops on Line 13 were in operation during the World Expo last year. The full line is expected to include this section, and extend to Pudong New Area, said the authority.

Line 16, which will have 13 stations, will mainly operate in Pudong’s Nanhui area. It will connect to Line 2 and 7 at Longyang Road and end at Lingang New City.

In addition to the three new lines, the authority is extending Line 11. Its 21-kilometer second phase stretches from Jiangsu Road Station, crossing the Huangpu River and linking to Pudong’s Luoshan Road Station.

Not to be outdone, Beijing announced EIGHT lines were now under construction, all scheduled to open between 2013 and 2015, including the world’s first “low-speed” maglev line.

ExploreMetro will soon be making an exciting announcement of it’s own! Our iPhone apps will soon support the iPad (and of course, the iPad 2)! Check out the video for a preview!

More updates for our Shanghai Metro and Beijing Subway iPhone apps

The latest updates (version 2.9) of our Shanghai Metro iPhone app and Beijing Subway iPhone app are now available on the iTunes App Store.

The Beijing app includes updated first/last train times for the Changping Line, Yizhuang Line, Daxing Line, Line 15 and Fangshan Line, as well as details of the connecting bus for the Fangshan Line, while the Shanghai app adds the new Line 7 extension.

Both updates are free for all our users, or you can download Explore Shanghai or Explore Beijing directly from the iTunes App Store.

We have lots more updates planned for 2011, so stay tuned!

Shanghai Metro and Beijing Subway iPhone apps updated for 2011

The latest versions of our Shanghai Metro iPhone app and Beijing Subway iPhone app are now available on the iTunes App Store.

The Beijing app includes all five new lines which opened on December 30th: the Changping Line, Yizhuang Line, Daxing Line, Line 15 and Fangshan Line.

The Shanghai app adds time/price information for the new Line 10 extension and fixes an issue with station names on Line 9.

As we wanted to get the updates in your hands as soon as possible, a few items didn’t make it into this release. There will be another update in the next couple of weeks adding first/last train times for the new Beijing lines and Line 7 extension in Shanghai.

Both updates are free for all our users, or you can download Explore Shanghai or Explore Beijing directly from the iTunes App Store!

The ExploreMetro Christmas Sale: Buy one app get one free!

Every app, every city, just $0.99

From now until December 15th you can buy any ExploreMetro iPhone app for just $0.99! That’s 50% off the regular price. Whether you live in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taipei, Singapore or Hong Kong, or are planning a trip there during 2011, be sure to grab a copy today!

Buy one for you, get one for a friend!

The first 100 people who buy an ExploreMetro app will be eligible for a FREE extra copy to send to a friend! That’s right, just purchase any ExploreMetro iPhone app, and forward your iTunes email receipt to iphone at exploremetro dot com. We’ll send you a promo code which you can give to your friend for a free copy of the same app! Hurry, stocks are limited, we only have 100 free apps to give away!

The small print:

  • Promo codes will work in any country, the recipient will require an iTunes account
  • Promo code will be for the same app you purchase.
  • Limited to one code per person
  • Only 100 free apps available, we’ll update this blog post once we’ve sold out

Explore Shanghai 2.7 for iPhone with Retina Display

Our most popular iPhone app, Explore Shanghai has just received an update on the iTunes App Store, and it’s a big one!

  • All the latest stations! Includes the new Line 10 extension to Hongqiao Airport. Every Shanghai Metro station and line is up-to-date.
  • Retina Display! iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation) users can enjoy incredibly crisp graphics
  • All new map! We took the opportunity to redesign the map with a new font and clearer graphics
  • Choose your language! If you have your iPhone set to English, but you’d prefer to use a Chinese map, now it’s as simple as toggling a setting.

Screenshots! (Click on any screenshot for hi-res retina display goodness!

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Explore Singapore: now with LRT

Version 2.7 of Explore Singapore for iPhone is now available in the iTunes App Store! As well as being the latest app to be updated for retina display graphics, we’ve also added support for LRT lines and stations, including the Bukit Panjang LRT, Sengkang LRT and Punggol LRT.

Each LRT station includes the English/Chinese name and street map. We’ll be adding support for the journeyplanner with times and prices in the next update! If you have any other suggestions to improve our LRT support, do get in touch!

Explore Singapore is a free update for our existing users. Download it now!