Category Archives: iPhone

ExploreMetro and the split personality of iOS6 Maps in China

A lot has been written about the transition to the new Apple Maps in iOS6. Because ExploreMetro uses Apple’s MapKit framework, once you update your device to iOS6 and request a street map for a metro station, you will see Apple’s map providers instead of Google Maps. As a developer, I have no control over this, and unfortunately even if you prefer Google Maps, there is no way to revert.

The situation inside China is even more complex: there are two different mapping providers used by Apple: while internationally Apple’s data provider is TomTom, within China Apple uses AutoNavi.

TomTom maps have good coverage in the US but coverage of Chinese cities is very limited: just road names:

Autonavi maps have very limited international coverage but coverage of Chinese cities is good, including many points of interest, some metro station names etc.

You can’t manually select which map tiles to show: your device selects the maps based on your current location. If you’re in China and are seeing the TomTom maps but want to see AutoNavi maps, try this:

1. Disconnect any VPN
2. Force-quit Maps
3. Go to Settings>General>Reset>Reset Location & Privacy
4. Restart Maps
5. If this still doesn’t work, try Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings (this will remove any saved Wifi passwords etc)

There’s one more complication. The Autonavi and Tomtom map tiles don’t match up exactly. There is a shift between the two. In order to display the maps correctly if you’re using Autonavi maps, you must select “Enable map shift” in the latest version of Explore Shanghai (in the Help tab)  or “Disable map shift” if you’re using the TomTom maps. If you have the wrong setting selected, when you request a street map, the map will not be centered on the correct location.

I apologise for this messy situation, hopefully Apple will make things simpler in the future! Similar updates will be available for our other China metro maps shortly.

Plan routes from iOS6 Maps with Explore Shanghai and Explore Singapore 8.0

The latest versions of our metro maps, Explore Singapore 8.0 and Explore Shanghai 8.0 are now live in the App Store.

This version brings support for the iPhone 5’s larger screen, and deeper integration with Apple’s new Maps. ExploreMetro apps are now an official provider of public transport directions in the Maps app! That means its even easier to get point-to-point directions. Here’s an example:

1. I’m currently on Yishan Road in Shanghai, I need to go to M1NT to steal a shark for dinner.
2. I open the Maps app

3. Search for my destination. There it is!

4. Tap the arrow to get details
5. Choose “Directions to here”
6. Tap the “public transport” button

7. Tap “Route”
8. You’ll see a list of apps which will let you plan directions. Explore Shanghai should be top of the list!

9. Tap “Route” and Explore Shanghai will launch
10. A route diagram is shown, including any walking segments.

The point-to-point directions will try to be smart and reduce your overall travel time. Sometimes that may mean walking to a slightly more distant metro station if it means a faster journey time. If you think the routeplanner is suggesting bad routes, do get in touch!

Point to point directions requires iOS6, the rest of the app continues to work fine on iOS4.3 and above! Explore Singapore 8.0 and Explore Shanghai 8.0 are available from the App Store.

Explore Beijing and Guangzhou 7.0 for iPhone and iPad

Explore Beijing and Explore Guangzhou have also been updated to version 7, they are now available on the App Store! Version 7 includes step-by-step routeplanning. Check out some screenshots from the latest versions, then download Explore Beijing or Explore Guangzhou today!

Step-by-step routeplanning is coming soon for our other apps. Get in touch if you have feedback or suggestions on how to make the apps better!

Explore Shanghai 7.0 for iPhone and iPad

Explore Shanghai 7.0 is now available on the App Store! Version 7 includes step-by-step routeplanning. Check out some screenshots from the latest version, then download Explore Shanghai today!

Step-by-step routeplanning is coming soon for our other apps. Get in touch if you have feedback or suggestions on how to make the apps better!

Explore Singapore 7.0 for iPhone and iPad

Explore Singapore 7.0 is now available on the App Store! Version 7 includes routeplanning for the LRT for the first time. We’ve also added step-by-step routeplanning and sharing. Check out some screenshots from the latest version, then download Explore Singapore today!

Step-by-step routeplanning is coming soon for our other apps. Get in touch if you have feedback or suggestions on how to make the apps better!

Explore Singapore, now with route-planning for the LRT!

We’ve just pushed an update to our Explore Singapore map, which adds route-planning for the LRT (Light Rail Transit) system in Singapore. There are currently three LRT lines: Bukit Panjang LRT, Sengkang LRT and Punggol LRT. You can plan a route between two LRT stations, or from an MRT to an LRT station. The map will show the fastest route, and the total journey cost.

The updated routeplanner is now live on Explore Singapore online at exploresg.com and our Explore Singapore Android app (v1.0.5). An update for our Explore Singapore iPhone app will be available in the next couple of weeks.

Coming soon: step-by-step routeplanning and sharing in our iPhone apps

We’ve been busy this summer preparing a new version of our awesome metro maps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Version 7 will be available soon – but here’s a sneak preview, as well as information on how to get the new version first by joining our beta-testing program.

Route-planning is a really useful part of our apps: in fact over 15,000 routes are planned every day using our iPhone apps! In the current version, the fastest route is shown directly on the map like this:

In version 7, we’re adding written step-by-step directions, like this:

Every step of the way, you have clear instructions of which line to take, and which direction. What’s more, you can easily share the route instructions, by email, SMS/iMessage, Twitter or copying to clipboard:

We even automatically shorten the route directions to fit more easily into an SMS message.

If you’d like to try out the new routeplanning features, sign up to our beta-testing program.

And there’s more! Once iOS6 is launched later this year we’ll be adding more great features, including:

  • Point-to-point directions integrated into the built-in Maps app
  • Sharing via Sina Weibo

 

Card Checker: check the balance of your Shanghai Public Transportation Card on your iPhone

Now you can check the balance of your Shanghai Public Transportation Card on your iPhone, with our new app Card Checker for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Card Checker is simple to use, simply enter the serial number of your card which is imprinted on the back. The app will connect to the internet and retrieve your most recent balance.

You only need to enter your card number once – after that, simply launch the app and it will immediately fetch your balance.

One caveat: we use official data from the Shanghai Public Transportation Card site, and there can sometimes be a 24-48 hour delay before changes in your balance are reflected in the app.

Card Checker is a perfect complement to our Explore Shanghai metro map app.

Card Checker is free forever –  download it now from the App Store.

Resolutionary! Support for iPad 3 coming soon.

There’s a nasty bug in the current versions of the ExploreMetro iPad apps which means that the maps don’t render correctly on the iPad (3rd generation). We submitted a bugfix to Apple last week and are currently waiting for approval. It should be worth the wait, the apps look great on the new Retina Display devices! Here’s a comparison of Explore Shanghai running on an iPad 1/2 versus the new iPad (3rd generation).
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