The next version of our Explore Hong Kong app will include a much-requested feature: you’ll be able to choose to see prices with or without an Octopus Card. To keep the interface uncluttered, you’ll be able to select whether you want to see prices with or without a card in the Help tab.

This idea came from our feedback forum: if you haven’t visited yet, do browse the existing suggestions and vote on any you’d like to see in our apps! Popular suggestions include Android versions, bike information and showing the Huangpu River on our Shanghai app.

In the next version of Explore Hong Kong, we want to include the Cantonese transliterations, using the Jyutping transliteration system, for all Hong Kong MTR stations. Here’s a first attempt. If you have any corrections, do leave a note in the comments!

We’re pleased to announce that version 3.1 of our metro maps for iPhone and iPad, fixing the crashing bug for users with iOS3, is now available on the iTunes App Store. It’s a free update for all users.

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!

Our metro map apps will soon support the iPad! We want to ensure it’s a great experience, so we’ll be optimising the interface to work better on the bigger iPad screen.

Check out the screenshot of the version in development, and look out for an announcement over the next few weeks!

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

A roundup of the latest metro news and links from ExploreMetro cities!

• Out, damned stench! Out of the Shanghai subway, I say! – The Shanghai Metro has banned bad smells including stinky tofu. “A lot of daily-use stuff can be smelly,” said Zhou Xinwei, a daily Metro rider. (Shanghaiist)
• Security checks to stay after Expo “The security checks effectively protect the safety of the public,” Yin Wei, deputy director of the Shanghai Subway Operation Company, told the Global Times Thursday. “In the interests of daily commuters, we’ve chosen not to rid of them once the Expo is over after all.” (Global Times)
• Singapore Metro map, anagrammed! – from Nude Jail to Ethical Realms
• Hong Kong MTR stations, to The Sound of Music – don’t ask…

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!

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.

We’re delighted to announce new PDF maps for all our ExploreMetro cities! Now you can print out and carry a handy A4 printout for Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore, besides the Shanghai map we already offered.

To download the maps, just click on the “PDF map” tab on any of our city sites, or follow the download links below. The PDF maps are available in both English and Chinese versions. If you have any feedback or spot any mistakes on the map, do get in touch!

Direct links:

• Shanghai – English, Chinese
• Beijing – English, Chinese
• Guangzhou – English, Chinese
• Hong Kong – English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional
• Singapore – English, Chinese