The Straits Times for iPhone 4+

April 2018 review:
In this update ST introduces ads embedded between actual content, so the intrusiveness is notched up a level higher, well done👌. But what’s worse is that in articles that have ads in between, I can no longer select or highlight text, preventing me from copying or performing “Look up”, which is a function I use often. Not sure if this is a bug or a feature, but kudos to the developer and QC team 👍.

Dec 2017 review:
As echoed by other reviewers, I too abhor the intrusive ads that paid subscribers have to endure. Each time we return to the app (from basic tasks such as home screen, multi tasking, answering a phone call or msg, unlocking the phone, etc.) we're immediately bombarded with a full page ad. Worse, there's a conspicuous ad banner at the bottom in perpetual presence which could not be dismissed, limiting screen real estate. SPH's greediness is taking away paid subscribers' reading pleasure.

Firstly, please do something about my music being cut off whenever I enter the app. All of the other apps have no issues keeping my music playing in the background - why is this still happening for ST?

Next, the news coverage. I don’t even think I’m getting half of the news available in the hard copy newspaper, at least not by scrolling through the tabs. That’s not the way to go if you’re trying to encourage people to jump on the digital wagon.

And then there’s the general interface. I won’t even talk about how buggy the app is and how frequently it stops loading or crashes altogether. It’s design is dated and doesn’t seem like it’s built for lengthy reading. I’m a subscriber to NYT as well and their interface is much classier and inviting. It actually makes me feel like I’m reading an ebook.

I’d propose a no-star if it existed. Subscribed to the ST premium and then decided to read the reviews of other subscribers, which immediately prompted me to reconsider my subscription. Then, silly me, I decided I’ll give it a chance, why not?
And I wasn’t disappointed as it got so much better when I discovered that I couldn’t even read the so-called Premium articles without the relentless invitation to subscribe (again, and again). So, that’s it then - changed my subscription to just a month. Apologies to the ST reporters - would have loved to support your work (via digital means though, as one has to think of trees) but how unfortunate that this app was built to siphon money and cough out ads.