ShanghaiDaily.com has started using its proprietary URL shortening service – dly.sh.

As the convergence between our web site and newspaper advances, we more frequently find that we should print hyperlinks in our newspapers. Short links, such dly.sh/abc, comes in handy because they are easier to remember and type. These shorter links will automatically be translated into the full URLs of a corresponding page on our website.

The new service also helps us to track clicks on shorter links, such as when the clicks were made and where the users were coming from.

Our editors will convert ShanghaiDaily.com’s full-length links into dly.sh shorter links and place them on social networking sites or in newspapers. We have also converted some often-used special URLs into shorter dly.sh links so that they can be printed and used for marketing purposes.

A list of pre-shortened links:

To download mobile apps:
iPhone - dly.sh/iphone
iPad - dly.sh/ipad
BlackBerry - dly.sh/bb
PlayBook - dly.sh/pb
Windows Phone - dly.sh/wp

To access special sections:
Photo Gallery - dly.sh/gallery
HD Photo Gallery dly.sh/hdgallery
PDF downloads - dly.sh/pdf
MMS - dly.sh/mms

To access content sections:
Metro - dly.sh/metro
Business - dly.sh/business
National - dly.sh/national
Vibe - dly.sh/vibe
World - dly.sh/world
Sports - dly.sh/sports
Features - dly.sh/feature
Opinion - dly.sh/opinion
Ideal - dly.sh/ideal

Prior to this change, ShanghaiDaily.com used a special URL shortening link – xpo.sh – for the Shanghai EXPO in 2010 with great results. As we start using the new shorter URL service, all previous xpo.sh links will continue to be valid.

Shanghai Daily has launched its native application for PlayBook – BlackBerry’s tablet computer. As a selected partner of BlackBerry maker Research In Motion, Shanghai Daily began the development for its PlayBook application last year. made its debut on AppWorld before PlayBook’s official launch in May, granting it the status among the world’s first batch of PlayBook news apps.

 

Similar to its counterpart on Apple’s iPad, SHDaily HD features complete coverage of the newspaper’s online and print stories, as well as a full archive with comprehensive search functions. A recent update also brings the addition of HD photo gallery, PDF download for the print edition of Shanghai Daily, and the new Sunday section.

 

Like its cousin applications on iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone 7 and Nokia Ovi platforms, SHDaily HD is available for free to readers in all countries.

Tags: playbook blackberry app RIM

ShanghaiDaily.com has just finished a major revamp of its search engine and fixed some problems that had plagued browsers for years.

First, search results used to be inaccurate with many irrelavent entries because the engine fetched results on a character-based rather than a word-based policy. Second, irrelavent entries cost more data, thus slowing the search and sometimes causing the browser to crash.

Now, Users are able to get more accurate search results at a faster rate. Keywords are highlighted on the search result page.

With just a few clicks, you can view and add venues in the Metro map on live.shanghaidaily.com.

The new interactive map is linked with the directory of Live in Shanghai. Registered users can add new venues and link them to the respective Metro station.

Main features of the Metro map:

- Displaying nearby roads and location of each station
- Downloadable PDF file for storage
- Search function
- English-Mandarin conversion
- Details of future Metro lines

Users of ShanghaiDaily.com can now buy and download Shanghai Daily print edition in PDF file page by page.

Each story now has an info box indicating where it appears in print edition. By clicking “Buy PDF of this page,” the user adds that page to the shopping cart; after clicking “Check Out,” the user is brought to a payment page; once payment is done, a download link appears.

Subscribers to ShanghaiDaily.com can download PDF pages for free using the same link. They will not be prompted for payment and can start download as soon as they click “Check Out.”

Enter the Full Edition of Shanghai Daily HD! Enjoy the abundant high-quality news, domestic and world-wide with absolutely no subscription charges.

Unique Features:

-          Customized designs with print-edition grade layouts;

-          Photo sections loaded with High-Definition galleries;

-          Real-time updated weather report/forecast of any given cities;

-          Add articles to favorite, or share with friends;

-          Breaking news Push alerts;

-          Access to FULL archive for free;

-          Sophisticated search function;

-          Optimized background updating bring you new stories in the blink of an eye;

-          Retain the free download of daily print edition for free feature from preview edition.

iPad users may download and rate the app at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shdaily-hd/id378323812?mt=8# or  for free.

Tags: iPad mobile app Apple

Shanghai Daily has developed several new media products as shown in icons beneath the masthead of ShanghaiDaily.com. By clicking on the icon, you easily go to the official download page of the product.

Owners of Amazon Kindle, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Nokia and Windows Phone 7 can now download versions of Shanghai Daily on their devices. Our new media team is busy working to make Shanghai Daily available on more portable platforms while ensuring all editions are up to date.

Users of ShanghaiDaily.com can now take a poll or submit their news and tips on the Website’s homepage.

The small box that served as a World Expo 2010 bulletin board has been changed into an online poll site to show public opinion on certain hot topics. The most recent ones concern Shanghai’s decision to lower the dog license fee and the disastrous fire of a Jing'an District building. By voting, users can view the poll result.

Above the poll section is a small application for users to submit news and tips to us. All topics are welcome and the sender’s information will not be revealed in the published story.