SINGAPORE - From Thursday (July 21), Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao will unveil a new, more reader-friendly look across both its digital and print platforms.
Besides webpages adjusted to suit the screen sizes of different mobile devices, the Zaobao app will also have an all-new function that allows readers to have articles read aloud to them by clicking on an earphone icon.
"This will allow readers who find it difficult to read Chinese to still access the vast world of information offered by Zaobao," said Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong May, who is also digital editor of the Chinese Media Group at Singapore Press Holdings (SPH).
While special content, breaking news and videos are all free for all readers of the digital version, subscribers will get in-depth news reports and analysis as well as a PDF version of the paper.
Zaobao All-in-One subscribers will also now be able to access the full content of news stories online as soon as they are available, without having to wait for the print edition.
The print version will also have a refreshed look, with bigger pictures and more infographics as well as more white space to make reading easier on the eyes.
To provide readers with more information, prime news pages will be increased from two to three pages while the back cover of section 1, will now feature international news instead of sports.
The recently announced partnership between SPH and StarHub also allows StarHub subscribers unlimited data usage when using the Zaobao app to read news stories or watch videos.
In conjunction with the revamp, Zaobao also commissioned a new song entitled "Rediscovery" written by veteran Xinyao singer and composer Liang Wern Fook and performed by popular local singers Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim.
A party for Lianhe Zaobao readers will also be held on Sept 10 at the Marina Barrage.
"In today's fast moving world, Zaobao can no longer be just a newspaper. What we want to offer readers is a multi-platform experience that informs and engages our readers throughout the day, according to their lifestyle needs," said Lianhe Zaobao editor Goh Sin Teck.
He added: "This also means that we have to transcend the richness of our printed word to include more exciting pictures, layout, animation, videos and user interaction."
