My job requires that I travel a little more than I like so my iPhone is loaded up with travel apps, maps apps, transit apps, and one app I used to love but, well, we had a falling out.
When bouncing from one airport to another, what’s one thing everyone needs? Transportion. If it’s not rental car, it’s taxi. Even better than a taxi is a private driver and the free Uber app makes it easy to get one. Or, it used to.
Taking You For A Ride
Every destination has different transportation options. What the Uber app does is give you more options– specifically of the private driver and car option.
For cities where the service is available, and there are plenty, you can schedule a private car and drive, set a location for pickup, and know exactly when the car will arrive.
Great, right? Even better is Uber’s ability to charge your credit card upon completion of the ride, and receive a detailed in app receipt (or, have it emailed).
Using Uber is simple enough, too. Enter a destination, and Uber estimates your total fare.
The built-in map displays your pickup location, route and direction of travel, and, of course, the destination.
This is pretty much like having the ultimate taxicab app right on your iPhone.
Wonderful, right? Almost.
Uber wants your name, email, phone numbers, and credit card number to sign up.
Does Uber work in your area? Find out by signing up and handing over your credit card. That’s bad form.
The latest version of Uber is less usable than the previous version. For some reason it zooms out automatically to a six-mile radius.
It won’t save my frequent locations, and the animated cars on the screen are distracting (which one is the real driver for me?).
And, for whatever reason, pricing has changed. Instead of being competitive, my last two rides were nearly double the price of a taxi. New versions of apps should be progressive and get better, not go backwards.
About Jack D. Miller
You were too kind in your evaluation. Asking for a credit card number to check out the app is more than bad form. It should be a warning to everyone that they are giving away access to their credit card to an unknown source with unknown, and probably inadequate, security and you have no real protection.
The developers should take out their short swords and finish themselves off because this app is DOA.
I once loved Uber. No more. I use HailO these days. It’s not in as many cities, but it works better than Uber where I travel. Fast and easy and no need to cough up anything financial until you’re ready.