Uber announced this week a new set of upgrades for users of the app that will make it easier for both riders and drivers to spot each other even in the most crowded streets.
Ride-sharing services such as Uber have drastically changed the manner on how we get from place to place. It's way more convenient - just a click of a button on your smartphone and your ride will be there for you in no time.
However, there are circumstances when hailing for a taxi is a wiser thing to do, rather than to look for your "missing" Uber ride. These instances happen mostly in super-crowded events such as concerts and sporting events where it's very difficult to link up with your Uber driver.
In times like this that Uber is rolling out today, its newest feature called the Spotlight.
The feature works in such a way that the screen on the rider's phone will turn on a color specific to his/her Uber driver. The user has to allow the app to take over the phone's screen and once set, hold up the phone for the driver to spot. The driver should be able to identify the rider more quickly this way.
Uber is also setting up a new tweak for its in-app messaging. The Pickup Messages allows passengers to offer their drivers a "little extra detail" ahead of the pickup.
"Now it's even easier to share a tip ('I'm wearing a red jacket'), or send your driver a quick pre-populated update like 'be right there' with a single tap," Uber's official press release reads.
Of course, safety is a priority with the current update. This is why the Pickup Messages are automatically read aloud. Drivers can just tap their devices to confirm receipt of the message.
Lastly, the ride-hail company is offering guaranteed pickups for scheduled rides. This works for users who set rides in the future. Should the driver fails to arrive on the specified pickup period, the rider gets the Uber credit.
The new Uber updates are now available in Google Play Store.
