Lianhe Wanbao and the bilingual (English and Chinese) news portal omy.sg launched a free iOS app on Apple iTunes store in April in conjunction with the newspaper’s 30th anniversary this year.

The Chinese language app “Wanbao: 30 Years of Dedication features repackaged and optimised content from a special 30^th-anniversary print supplement of the same title.

The supplement was distributed with copies of Lianhe Wanbao in March, with enthusiastic responses from both old and new readers alike. The app, launched in conjunction, signifies a push for the evening daily in embracing multi-media news presentation.

By releasing a digital version, we could use the app to reach out to a wider audience – those who might have missed the print supplement, as well as overseas readers. The shelf life of the supplement is also extended, providing a digital record for future reading.

Content highlights for the “Wanbao: 30 Years of Dedication” app include the recap of breaking news events in Singapore during the past 30 years and in-depth interviews with past and present editors and journalists. Users can also view videos and a picture gallery.

“As Lianhe Wanbao crosses the 30-year mark of news reporting, we have … been mindful of changing and evolving reading habits,” said Chua Chim Kang, editor of Lianhe Wanbao and omy.sg, and senior vice president/business development of the Chinese Newspapers Division of Singapore Press Holdings.

“Launching this app is another step in Lianhe Wanbao’s overall direction to innovate and grow with our readers, both young and old, as well as new and loyal ones.”

This is the second digital project jointly developed and launched by Lianhe Wanbao and bilingual news and entertainment portal, omy.sg. The first project, an e-book on Apple iBooks, was launched to commemorate singing legend Fong Fei Fei in 2012, following news of her sudden death. The e-book was well received by both local and overseas audiences, garnering more than 20,000 downloads within a month of its launch.  

In line with the newspaper’s strong history of close collaboration with local commerce, the app is produced with the kind support of four eminent local companies: Novena Foundation Pte Ltd, Moneymax Group Pte Ltd, Merdeka Audio Private Limited, and Teo Heng Trading Pte Ltd.

The app could be downloaded for free from through the end of May, and now costs US$2.99 per download. 

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