The latest 1.1 update to our ExploreShanghai iPhone app is now live on the iTunes App Store.

The new version includes the recently opened Shanghai Metro Line 7. You can plan routes, check ticket prices and check the times of the first and last trains for all the new stations. We also fixed some bugs which were causing occasional crashes. If you have any feedback on the app, do get in touch!

ExploreShanghai 1.1 is a free update for existing users. You’ll receive a prompt in iTunes to update to the new version. If you haven’t downloaded ExploreShanghai yet, it’s still available at the introductory price of just $0.99. More details and download

You wait ages for a iPhone metro map, then three come along at once Building on the success of our ExploreShanghai Shanghai metro iPhone app (still available at the introductory price of just $0.99!) we’re working on not one but three new iPhone apps: ExploreBeijing, ExploreGuangzhou and ExploreHK.

Stay tuned for further announcements, but until then here’s a screenshot to whet your appetite (click to enlarge)!

If you’d like to be notified when we launch our apps for Beijing, Guangzhou or Hong Kong, leave a message on our contact page.

Shanghai’s Metro Line 7 opens today! We’ve just pushed live an update to exploreshanghai.com with the new line.

What’s included:

• A nice new orange line!
• Routeplanning information: just drag between each station
• A Metropedia article for every station with info, routes, pictures and maps
• Mandarin pronunciations for every station
• First and last train times for each station (be careful, trains stop just after 4pm initially!)

Update 7th December

• Updated ticket prices for all journeys
• Improved route-planning for Line 7
• Locality maps for every Line 7 stations in Metropedia

Coming soon

• An update to our ExploreShanghai iPhone app is currently in review by Apple

Shanghai Metro 7 will begin trial operation on 5th December. Initially, trains will run between 9am and 4pm, with the operation times increasing over time. Line 7 is a north-south line, from Shanghai University to Huamu Road. Snaking its way through Shanghai’s centre, it adds many new interchange opportunities, including at Jing’an Temple with line 2 and Changshu Road with line 1, before crossing the river into Pudong and intersecting with Longyang Road (for the Maglev).

We’re busy preparing exploreshanghai.com for the launch of the new line. See below for a sneak preview of the new map!

Over six days this week I’m introducing some of the features of our upcoming ExploreShanghai iPhone app! We’ve already covered pan and zoom, station info, routeplanning, search and multi-language. And this is just the start!

We’re committed to providing free updates to ExploreShanghai, not only to deliver you updated maps and routeplanning as new lines open in the run up to the 2010 World Expo, but also to add additional features like GPS integration. To get the latest updates after purchase, make sure you check the iTunes App Store regularly!

ExploreShanghai is now live in the App Store Download it today!

Over six days this week I’m introducing some of the features of our upcoming ExploreShanghai iPhone app! Today, multi-language.

We wanted to make sure that ExploreShanghai worked well in English and Chinese. The language of the map depends on your iPhone/iPod language settings. If you’d prefer to use the map in another language, simply go to the “Settings” app and select English or Chinese.

If you select Chinese, you’ll see station names, route-planning information and help in Chinese. You can also search for stations, typing in Pinyin or handwriting Hanzi.

ExploreShanghai is now live in the App Store Download it today!

Over six days this week I’m introducing some of the features of our upcoming ExploreShanghai iPhone app! Today, search.

We wanted to make it really simple to find a station on the map. To search the map, simply tap in the search bar at the top of the screen, and type part of the station name. You’ll see a list of all matching stations. Tap on any station name and the map will pan so the station is in the center of the screen.

ExploreShanghai is now live in the App Store Download it today!

Today our ExploreShanghai iPhone app went live on the iTunes App Store! It’s packed with great features:

• Fully up-to-date Every station on every line. Fully up to date with the latest extensions like Beijing Subway Line 4 and Shanghai Metro Line 8 extension. Free updates for future lines including the Shanghai Expo 2010 expansions.
• Plan routes Tap on a station to place a flag. Then tap a second station to place a second flag, and get instant time and price details.
• Works offline Everything works without an Internet connection. Search stations and plan routes on the go.
• Bilingual Everything’s available in English and Chinese. Show a station name to a taxi driver or listen to a station pronouciation in Mandarin.

Read more and download »

Over six days this week I’m introducing some of the features of our upcoming ExploreShanghai iPhone app! Today, route-planning.

With the help of the ExploreShanghai iPhone app, you can find the quickest and cheapest way to your destination. We gathered our route-planning data by checking timetables, and even visiting every station on the network

To plan a route, tap on the first station, and tap the “flag” icon to place a flag. Next, locate the second station (by dragging to pan the map, or searching), and tap the flag icon to place a second flag. The iPhone app will immediately show you the time required, including estimated interchange times, and the cost of a ticket. An animation will show the recommended path to take using orange highlights.

ExploreShanghai is now live in the App Store Download it today!

Over six days this week I’m introducing some of the features of our upcoming ExploreShanghai iPhone app! Today, station info. When you tap on a station in the ExploreShanghai iPhone app, you’ll see a bubble like this appear.

Its packed with useful information! First, the station name in English and Chinese. You can also see the different metro services at this station, color coded by line. For each line, you can see the first and last train in each direction. For example, at Hongkou Football Stadium, the first train on line 8 is at 5:50 (south towards Aerospace Museum) and 6:13 (north towards Shiguang Road). Now it’s simple to make sure you don’t miss the last train home!

There are two icons in the top right. The “play” button will play an audio clip of the station name in Mandarin. The “flag” icon will allow you to start planning a route. More on that tomorrow!

ExploreShanghai is now live in the App Store Download it today!