What’s new in Uber’s App & business model Q3’23

In this series we’re looking at anything new in the Apps & Business Models of the best Digital Technology Companies.

Since Apps are really the frontend to a business model, we always have to look at both: the frontend (the App) and the backend (the business model & why certain App updates have actually occurred).

Here’s what happened lately at Uber.

1. The Super App

March 23: They rolled out their new App with many new features. It’s called the super App. While the Uber Eats App is still around (and “here to stay” as Uber said), it’s also been merged to the Uber App

2. Rides & Delivery in one place

Rides & Delivery are now in one App.

Uber’s respective Business Segments are: Mobility & Delivery

In the App up the top we now have (drumroll) “Rides” and “Delivery” (See the left screen up the top)

3. Updates in Rides

Within Rides there are now many new features and types of rides

More types of rides: Uber Taxi, Moto, Share, Carshare

• Taxi: can now be ordered in New York, LA and other cities via the Uber App. Of course, only those taxis that are willing to participate. The incentive: Uber says that in NY taxi driver make 24% more than non-participating ones
• Moto: a fast growing offer in some countries/cities for price-conscious riders
• Share: pooling of several people into one ride that may require them to walk a bit more to the pickup point and then from the drop off point
• Carshare: in some cities people can hire other people’s cars for a day, a partial day or several days (like Airbnb for cars)
• Reserve: it’s what it says (which is always good from a UX perspective) — the ability to reserve a ride ahead of time, use cases: anything but esp things like booking a ride to the airport ahead of time and with peace of mind

It’s clear that there is a lot to pull off in the background before you can offer these things to users. As one example, you need a critical mass of moto drivers in one area before it makes sense to offer it.

4. Updates in Delivery

Delivery is no longer just Eats. It is also … delivery (who would have thought). Now, you can order from grocery shops, convenience stores and a growing landscape of other shops. When you tap “delivery” (see mid-way down on the right screenshot the “grocery” button)

And there is a growing selection of delivery options, including sending a package across town and more.

Included is also the “Restaurants” — yes, this is basically a revamp “Eats” App included in the new “Super App”

5. The Homescreen widget

Widget on the homescreen that shows the progress of your ride (how far the driver’s away prior to prick-up and the progress on your ride while after the pickup).

6. Uber One

This is their subscription offering that will give you discounts on various elements within their app & offerings. Among other things, you can also collect rewards from rides that you can use on delivery (a way of cross-promoting their other different offerings)

As always, there is more to it than the eye can see. You can check out our videos on What’s new in the Uber Business Model …

Learn more about the latest on Uber’s biz model (including finance & economics) watching the entire video or jump to the business model update sections if you are more interested in the App and what’s behind it.

Learn more about all aspects of Uber’s biz model here.

I hope you have found this as fascinating as I did!