ST apps debut today

SPH  APP  IPAD

Singapore - The Straits Times (ST), the flagship newspaper of the Singapore Press Holdings group, has launched its application for the iPad and upgraded the existing iPhone app.

The iPad and iPhone apps, which will provide the editorial content in the daily ST print edition, will be available for free for five weeks until Wednesday, 7 September.

From 8 September, a new pricing package will be launched for ST's print and digital platforms (online, iPad and iPhone), the details of which will be announced at a later stage.

The new apps will allow ST to extend its presence across all digital platforms, and establish greater relevance, with both readers and advertisers. The apps also provide interactive access on the go to ST's comprehensive news coverage, latest news updates, commentaries and analyses as well as video content from ST Razor TV.

These features have been specially designed and optimised for the iPad and iPhone. Users can also access the 7-day archive of past editions of ST. A PDF version of ST will also be available on the iPad app.

With the offerings, ST hopes to lure advertisers with new creative solutions through interactive advertisements in the apps, in particular on the iPad. This initiative is led by SPH's marketing division which has been working closely with its advertisers to inject ‘special effects' into their campaigns.

Five of SPH's top advertisers - StarHub, DBS Bank, Rolex, Shell and Wearnes Automotive - have partnered ST for the launch of its iPad app. Each advertiser has come up with a first-of-its-kind interactive campaign to reach out to iPad users both in Singapore and overseas.

Han Fook Kwang, Editor of the Straits Times, said: "We want more people to be able to access the rich content in The Straits Times on their iPhone and iPad. We promise to deliver it with the same commitment to quality and credibility that has made our paper the most widely-read in Singapore."

On the new pricing package to be announced soon, Patrick Daniel, editor-in-chief, English and Malay Newspapers Division, said: "The pricing package will be a major step forward for the group, and will position us for the future. For now, we want as many readers to try our new apps for free."

The iPhone app of The Straits Times was first launched in January 2009 comprising only its Breaking News service. It has seen a total of 350,000 downloads to date. The new app will now provide the contents of the ST print edition.

In addition, there will be some new features such as ‘push notifications' where users can set keywords and receive alerts on breaking news stories that match these keywords.

Users with the earlier ST iPhone app should download the latest version of the iPhone app from the App Store.

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