At Uber, they are passionate about using technology to help move people around cities. Seven years ago when we launched in San Francisco, we simply wanted riders to be able to push a button and get a ride. As we expanded to meet riders’ many needs—from UberBLACK and uberX to uberPOOL—we evolved into a global service that helps to move millions of people every day in over 450 cities.
Since our last redesign in 2012, our app has become complicated and harder to navigate. To recapture the clean and simple aesthetic of the original Uber experience—without sacrificing the choice our riders now expect—we rebuilt a faster, smarter rider app completely from the ground up.
We designed the new Uber app around you—and our core beliefs that time is a luxury and that the information you need should always be at your fingertips. Gone are the days when everyone’s app looks the same. The new Uber experience is reimagined around a simple question—“Where to?”. After all, you use Uber to get somewhere—or to someone. And by starting with your destination, we can tailor the journey to you.
Let’s take a spin.
The new Uber app learns from your routines. So if you’re a frequent rider you’ll see “shortcuts” that predict where you could be headed. This means you can get moving with just one tap. Soon you’ll also be able to connect your calendar with Uber. Once you connect, your meetings and appointments will automatically appear as “shortcuts,” saving you the hassle of digging through another app to find the right address.
We know that people use Uber to meet friends, whether it’s at a concert or a night out. This means your destination is often a person. But figuring out exactly where they are involves a lot of texting back and forth. We’ll soon be introducing a new feature we refer to as people are the new places that enables you to set your destination to a person instead of a place. Just sync your contacts with the app, type their name into the search bar and once they’ve shared their location, you’ll be on your way.
After you tell us where you’re going, you can decide how you want to get there. We know that you want a different type of ride for different moments. If you’re on the way to a meeting and want to prep, you’ll choose a solo ride with uberX. To ride in style to a celebration, maybe UberBLACK. And for a run-of-the-mill trip across town, uberPOOL. It’s now much easier to compare the cost of all your options with upfront fares. And for uberPOOL and uberX, you also see what time we expect you to arrive, so you have what you need to make the best decision for your wallet and schedule.
Once you’re on your way, the focus is on helping you make the most of your ride. You can still split your fare and share your trip status with friends. Soon, we’ll offer more experiences tailored around where you’re going. Using Uber to get to the station? Check Transit to see upcoming departures for the train, bus, and subway. Headed somewhere delicious? Browse Yelp reviews right from the app. Exploring a new neighborhood? Use Foursquare for tips on what to do and where to go next. On your way to friends? Play with exclusive Snapchat filters or stream your favorite songs on Pandora to get you in the mood. And if UberEATS is in your city, order food on the way home so you and your burrito can arrive together.
Starting today, the new rider app is rolling out globally on iOS and Android over the next several weeks. We hope you enjoy the ride. To learn more, please visit uber.com/whereto.
