Charis Chrisna
TechInAfrica – Uber, an America-based multinational transportation network company is offering services that include peer-to-peer ridesharing, ride service hailing, food delivery, and a bicycle-sharing system. Since its initial founding in March 2009 (almost ten years ago!), Uber now boasts over 110 million worldwide users, claiming to be a ridesharing app for fast, reliable rides in minutes—day or night. There’s no need to park or wait for a taxi or bus. The company unveiled the newest version of its app in San Francisco earlier this week.
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, professed that aside from living in the digital sphere, the real world comes with a number of complications. “And for us, the challenge is: how do we navigate those complications and how do we make sure that we’re a constructive part of everyone’s life?” Khosrowshahi added.
In addressing these dire issues, Uber merges a number of its single-function apps into one promoting seamless experience for its existing and future users. This notion is based on an attempt to become an even more constructive part of its users’ lives. The new app will allow users to order food deliveries, hail a ride, and offer new methods of commuting such as bikes, scooters, and public transportation. Furthermore, the company also aims to feature innovative safety functions in the future.
In an ambitious bid to become ‘the operating system of our everyday lives’, this update welcomes a completely new interface; when users first open the app, they will be welcomed with a choice whether to order food or to hail a ride. Despite this, not all users will experience the same interface. Uber is testing out another home screen design which keeps the familiar map and destination search bar, while adding two tabs on the bottom: rides and eats.
“What we do see is that the users who use our app both for riding and eating are our most satisfied customers,” adds Khosrowshahi. “We have more touchpoints with them than anyone else, and our relationship becomes closer.”
Source: theverge.com
