It all started in India in 2018 but it is now here in Nigeria. It is Uber Lite. Uber Lite is a simple version of the rider app that saves space, works on any network, and on any Android phone.
It launched in South Africa and Kenya in January this year.
According to Lola Kassim, General Manager for Uber in West Africa, “At Uber, we believe that anyone, anywhere should be able to get a ride and after in-depth research, users expressed a need for a lighter app, which uses less data and requires less storage space. Thus, I’m pleased to announce Uber Lite, which we believe will provide broad access to Uber while creating greater opportunity for everyone.”
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 like the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, or Millenium Park in Abuja.
- 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.
Uber Lite retains the core functionality of the rider app, has in-app support, and includes 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.
