Category Archives: iPhone

Google Maps in every ExploreMetro app

We’ve just released the 2.5 update to all our iPhone metro maps! That’s five new updates for Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Singapore and Hong Kong!

Here’s what’s new!

Google Maps – By popular demand, you can now see a street map for every station. This is really handy if you’re arriving at a metro station and want to see which exit to take, or how to reach your destination. Just tap on any station, then tap Street map (requires a 3G or Wifi internet connection).

New interface – We’ve simplified the interface for browsing stations and planning routes. Just tap any station to see this standard popup. You can switch between Metro map, Street map and Train times (for first/last train times). You can also listen to the name of the station as an audio clip by tapping the station name, or start planning a route.

Easy routeplanning – Planning routes is now even simpler. Tap on the first station, and choose “Plan route”. Then tap on your destination. The route, time and price will be immediately shown. We’ve also updated the Singapore app prices for the new distance-based fares.

Version 2.5 is a FREE update for all existing users. Download our apps today!

Coming soon: Explore Taipei

We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be launching a new metro map app in the next few weeks for the Taipei Metro. The Taipei Rapid Transit System is a relatively new metro system, having begun operations in 1996. It now has 80 stations on 8 lines.

We’ll be using ExploreMetro’s expertise to provide a great interactive metro online and for iPhone including:

  • Clear, bilingual maps (English and Traditional Chinese)
  • Fast, accurate route-planning with times and prices
  • A native iPhone app with full offline access
  • Street maps and first/last train times for every station
  • Free updates, starting with the extensions to the Blue and Orange lines opening later in 2010

If you’d like to be notified when ExploreTaipei launches, pre-register at http://taipei.exploremetro.com/

Coming soon: Google maps in our iPhone metro maps

By popular request, we’ll soon be including integrated Google Maps in our iPhone metro map apps for Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore. Just tap on any station and choose “Street map” to see the area around the selected station. You can pan and zoom the map to see more.

If you’ve got any suggestions on this or other features, do get in touch!

Stay tuned for updates to all our apps to support Google maps over the next few weeks.

Buy an app, tell a friend, win a Wii

We recently submitted an update for Explore Shanghai for iPhone but encountered a snag, as we were told:

We’ve completed the review of your application, but are unable to post this version to the App Store because it includes a contest with Apple products as prizes. Apps that include such offerings incorrectly create an association with Apple, Inc.

Hmm. So now when you tell a friend about one of our apps, you can win a iPad Wii! Just tap on the Help tab in the app.

For those of you waiting anxiously for the update, Explore Shanghai 2.3 has been resubmitted (including the new Hongqiao Railway Station and extended times for Line 10) and should be available soon! Download Explore Shanghai now and you’ll receive the free update as soon as it’s approved.

Lonely Planet’s Top 5 China apps

We were listed in Lonely Planet’s “Top 5 China apps“!

3. Explore Metro Maps (US$0.99)
Explore puts out metro maps for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. They’re easy to use, up to date (no easy feat in Shanghai) and work offline. Very handy, especially when they’ve run out of paper maps at the stations.

Thanks for the mention guys! You can download our iPhone apps here

Get Explore Singapore for free! Pi Caw Sai!

For one week only you can grab a copy of Explore Singapore, our MRT map for iPhone absolutely free! Explore Singapore is fully up to date, including the latest extension to the Circle Line which opened last month. You can search for stations, find the nearest station using your iPhone’s GPS, and plan routes, all using our really simple interface.

Download Explore Singapore from the iTunes App Store today! Our FREE offer ends Sunday June 13th.

Win Expo tickets with Explore Shanghai

We’re giving away five tickets to the Shanghai World Expo!

If you’ve been living in Shanghai, or planning a trip, you’ll no doubt be planning a visit to the Expo Site. Regular tickets cost 160 RMB ($23) but thanks to Explore Shanghai you could visit for free! The competition is open to anyone who uses Explore Shanghai for iPhone, available from the iTunes App Store. Explore Shanghai is a great companion for your Expo trip, it includes up-to-date information on all the new metro lines, including Line 13 directly into the Expo park.

You can download ExploreShanghai for iPhone from the iTunes App Store for just $0.99. Once you’ve downloaded, tap on the Help tab and fill in your details to be entered into the draw. You can enter once per day, and the more you enter the greater your chance of winning! We’ll announce the first lucky winner on May 31st.

Disclaimer: ExploreMetro is the sole sponsor of this Sweepstakes and Apple is not a sponsor or responsible for this Sweepstakes.

Explore Shanghai number one for China Travel apps!

We’re delighted that the Explore Shanghai metro map for iPhone is now the #1 selling travel app on the China App Store! Thank you to everyone who has bought the app and left us some great reviews:

This is a sweet app if you live in Shanghai, as the metro has grown so much a tool is needed. – onewil

One of my favorates! Super useful.
The time estimated is quite accurate.
I always check it before I go.
The best metroline map I ever use. – titan0801

Great little app to get around Shanghai. Is more updated than the metro maps at the stations! – ShanghaiGuy1010

及时回复和更新值得称赞 – 679953

这是我最大的上海地铁的应用程序已经使用过 – Shaw Freeman

Explore Shanghai is available now on the iTunes App Store priced at just $0.99. Download now!