Uber Lite cuts app for developing countries

Uber has now taken hold. in dozens of countries around the world and transport millions of people every month. However, in some emerging economies, Uber is not the biggest player as local companies have overtaken the US company.

This is an issue that Uber is facing head on when acquiring or merging with said companies. However, he is now trying a different approach to reach the masses by releasing a lite version of his app, simply called Uber Lite.

Uber Lite does the hard work

Uber Lite is a simplified version of the Uber app that the company actually built from scratch. The app is designed to work on any Android phone, no matter how decrepit. It also works on any network, saves storage space and uses minimal data.

This is Uber for people in developing countries who can get stuck using old phones and limited data plans. And while it was developed in India — and launched there first — Uber Lite will eventually be available in other countries around the world.

The Uber Lite download is 5MB, which is excellent compared to the full version’s 181MB. Uber Lite also boasts an impressive 300 millisecond response time, which speeds up the booking process. However, it is the reimagined user interface that brings the biggest changes.

Uber Lite will determine your current location and suggest popular pickup points for you. It also suggests possible directions and gets smarter the more you use it. Finally, maps are optional, with a simple progress bar to help you keep track of your trip.