Uber has today announced the launch of a lighter version of its Android app dubbed Uber Lite. The company follows in the footsteps of Twitter and Facebook who have lite versions of their mobile apps.
Alon Lits, General Manager for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa explains, “Every day, hundreds of thousands of Kenyans 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. We needed to reimagine the experience for Kenya and key markets around the world. The result is Uber Lite. A completely redesigned app that is light, simple, and works on any Android device and on any network.”
Uber Lite works best in low connectivity (2G) areas and for people with basic Android phones, and limited data plans.
Key features of Uber Lite include:
1. Light
Uber Lite is less than 5MB to download.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Uber Lite retains the core functionality of the rider app, has in-app support, and includes critical safety features, such as rider share your trip; a feature that allows riders to share their trips with their friends and family.
Below is how Uber Lite works.
