Web/Mobile App Critique

 Usability

The app I’ve chosen to review is Uber. From the moment you open the app, Uber makes it easy to get going. You’re greeted with a simple “Where to?” bar at the top and a map that shows where you are. It even remembers your frequent destinations, like home or work, so you don’t have to retype them every time. That might sound like a small thing, but it really helps when you’re in a rush or juggling bags at the airport. It doesn’t take long to figure out how to schedule a ride, change your payment method, or view your ride history. The menus are straightforward, and the app guides you along each step, from requesting a ride to getting updates about your driver’s location and estimated time of arrival.

Design and Look

Visually, the Uber app is clean and uncluttered. It uses a lot of white space, soft colors, and clear fonts that make everything feel modern and easy to read. The icons are simple and intuitive, and there’s a dark mode for those late-night rides or those with eye sensitivity, which I personally appreciate. The real-time map is also a nice touch. It updates constantly to show where your driver is and where you’re going, which adds some reassurance that everything is on track.

Functionality

Functionally, Uber does what it’s meant to do. You can request rides, track drivers, rate trips, and pay through the app without any hassle. It gives you a price estimate upfront, which helps you plan, and the receipt shows up in your email right after your trip ends. There are also handy features like the ability to split fares, add extra stops, and even share your trip with a friend or family member for safety. It’s great that you can choose ride preferences too, like if you’d rather not chat, or if you like the car cooler or warmer.

Improvement Recommendations

1.      The in-app messaging could definitely be improved. Sometimes messages don’t go through right away, or there’s a delay in replies. It would be helpful if there were delivery confirmations or read receipts, so you know if your driver saw your message.

2.      For users who have vision challenges or are older, Uber could benefit from a simplified view mode, larger buttons, less clutter, maybe even a voice-command option. It works okay with screen readers, but there’s room to do more here.

3.      We’ve all seen it, those sudden price hikes when demand is high. But the app doesn’t really explain why prices are higher. Adding a short explanation like “Event in area” or “Driver shortage” would make it feel more transparent. A timer showing how long the surge is expected to last would be even better.

At the end of the day, Uber does a good job of making transportation quick and convenient. It’s a well-designed app that most people can use without much of a learning curve. Still, with just a few tweaks, especially around communication, accessibility, and pricing transparency, it could become even more user-friendly for everyone.