Uber, today, has announced the launch of Uber Lite: A new easy and simplified version of the app that will work on any android device which will save the riders storage space as well as data.
Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa explains, “Every day, hundreds of thousands of Ugandans rely on Uber for mobility and work, and we understand that a one-size-fits-all app doesn’t work for the diversity of network conditions, devices, and rider needs across the country. After extensive research with our riders, it was obvious we couldn’t just make a smaller copy of Uber. The launch of this re-imagined app hopes to enhance the riders experience and help them move from A to B seamlessly minimizing any possible network issues.”
Uber Lite’s new interface was designed to make booking rides quicker and lighter in low connectivity (2G), on basic Android phones, and for people with limited data plans.
Here are the key product features:
- Light on your phone: Uber Lite is less than 5MB to download (that’s equivalent to just 3 selfies). A smaller app frees up space for actual selfies and other apps. And, with a 300-millisecond response time (literally the blink of the eye), the booking process is fast even in low connectivity.
- Guided Pickups: Uber Lite guides users through the request experience by detecting their current location, so minimal typing is required. If it can’t detect your location because of GPS or network issues, it guides you to choose popular landmarks nearby such as the Ndere Cultural Centre (which is how most people in Uganda communicate their location).
- Tap Over Type: Uber Lite makes picking your destination as easy as a tap of a button. Instead of typing where you are, you can choose a nearby point of interest. Additionally, the app stores the city’s top places so that even when you are offline, no network is needed for them to appear. And the more you use Uber Lite, the smarter the app gets. It learns where you go most often, and surfaces those options first. This feature is particularly convenient for people with phones with smaller screens.
- Maps On Demand: To keep the app light and fast, maps in Uber Lite are not loaded by default, but are available with a tap when you need them.
While this is a re-imagined version of the app, it will still carry the main safety features for riders such as in-app and will include all the critical safety features, such as Trusted Contacts; a feature that allows riders to share their trips with about five friends and family and driver profiles, allowing riders to identify their driver and their vehicles before they get in.
The Uber LITE app is now available in Uganda and Tanzania following the app’s launch in Kenya and South Africa in January this year.
Here’s how it works:
Editors Note: This is a Press Release
