Hatena Haiku 1.1 Beta Test now Started

Today we are pleased to announce that the public beta test of the latest version of Hatena Haiku has started. You can access the new version from the URL's below:

Purpose of the beta test

Hatena is currently developing this new version of Hatena Haiku. We have added various new features and improvements to this new version that we hope will improve the user experience on Hatena Haiku. The purpose of this beta test is to allow our users to actually use and experience the new version and to hear your opinions and feedback. In addition, developers who use the Hatena Haiku API can test their work with this new version.

Please share your opinions, feedback and feature requests with us by using the Hatena Haiku 1.1 keyword. We may not be able able to respond to all of your feedback, however all of the information will be shared with the Hatena Haiku development team and considered for improving the service.

Please note that during the beta test period, features may be added or removed at any time, and the service might not be available at all times.

How posted data is handled

The new test environment excepted by the “Following” page uses the same database as the present version. Postings to the new version will appear in the former version as well and vice versa. There are however the following limitations:

  • There might be a lag before updates are visible.
  • Posts to the “Following” page might appear in double.
  • If you delete an entry from the new version in the old version it might not totally disappear.

The main improvements of the new version

We will shortly introduce the main improvements. For detailed information please wait until the release of the official version, because there might occur some changes with the Beta version.

You can read and write entries from more places without changing the page

If you make a post to a keyword page or your own user page the whole page does not need to be reloaded. And when others write a new post you can get a notification. By clicking on the notification you will be able to read the post.

A display mode for smartphones and the Nintendo DSi has been created

There has been created a display mode for smart phones and the Nintendo DSi. Whereas until now users of smartphones and the Nintendo DSi had to make use of the Japanese mobile phone version there now is a more specialized version. With these versions it is easier to view and write entries and it is possible to use the drawing tool. You can access the smartphone / Nintendo DSi Browser version of Hatena Haiku with the following URL.

(Depending on the settings you can continue to use the PC or Japanese mobile phone version. Depending on the device you use it might not be possible to draw.)

Nicknames are displayed

Nicknames are used to display the names of posters and are shown on top of user pages. Until now it was possible to set a nickname but these were only displayed on a part of the site. (If you need the Hatena ID it is displayed under “Profile” at the user page.)

Increased operation speed

For this update we have totally rethought and redesigned the Hatena Haiku system and improved the operation speed. The increased speed during the beta test will be continued after the release of the official version.

Other improvements

We will be making other various improvements and fixing bugs based on your feedback for the development of the release version.

Future plans

The release of the official version is set for the end of January 2011. From today we will hold a beta test so we can use your opinion to improve the system.

After the release of the official version the present version will be stopped, the contents will be moved to the new version.