SMRT has just released a new mobile app - SMRTconnect. Long story short, commuters can use this free app to find train and bus arrival times to the bus stop or train station of their choice, find nearby stops, and also be alerted about any train service status updates. Oh, and you can even book an SMRT taxi through the app - except it actually launches the SMRT Book a Taxi app instead.

A screengrab of the SMRTconnect app.

Quick tests show that it works pretty well, coming up with a list of nearby bus stops. I also discovered that Bukit Brown MRT is closer to MediaCorp than Caldecott station! That's not all - there's also a QR code reader for you to check out the QR-coded ads they have in the station. Sadly, if you're not an iOS user, you'll have to wait - the Android version is in the works. As for BlackBerry and Windows phone users, SMRT has not confirmed if a version for these users is in the works. The app is currently available on the App store. Based on informal tests, you might have to search for "SMRT connect" or "connect SMRT" to find the app on the App store, "SMRTconnect" did not work at first. Oddly, you get this each and every time you open the app. It's a little frustrating, but it fades away without you having to click on it.