Launched in June 2014, the ST Star e-books app now has 35 books in its catalogue. The award-winning app, available on iPad and Android devices, has been downloaded more than 250,000 times, with downloads of the books inside totalling more than 600,000.
It won a bronze award for tablet publishing at the 6th Asian Digital Media Awards in Hong Kong last November. Organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the awards recognise the use of new technology, innovative thinking and creativity in digital media.
An e-magazine published in the app, The Life, won a gold award in the Best Lifestyle Mobile Service category. The interactive lifestyle magazine features articles on style, design, pursuits, travel and food, with highly visual and interactive designs.
Another e-book, Ocean's Fury, is part of an award-winning cross- media project marking the 10th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The e-book, microsite and print package about the disaster won a gold for best data-visualisation project.
Popular downloads in the mobile library of e-books include Lee Kuan Yew: The Final Journey, on the death of Singapore's founding prime minister and Singaporeans' overwhelming response; Home SG50 Special, a look back at Singapore's Jubilee celebrations; and Living History, a book on The Straits Times' 170 years of history.
Recent publications include Cheat Sheet: How To Navigate The Food World Like A Pro, a guide to ingredients and kitchen tools, and 50 Food Myths Busted, which addresses common beliefs about the way food and drink affect your body.
You can also find handy lifestyle tips in e-books like Cook Mee: 60 Ways To Jazz Up Your Instant Noodles, Beauty Tips: The Experts' Guide To Looking Good, and Personal Best: A Runner's Guide To Being The Best You Can Be.
Chew Hui Min
