Digital Redesign Update: Next up, a new iOS mobile app
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Ha, that was my first thought, too.
Lots of pretty eye candy, but I'm not sure it's as intuitive and quick as the old app. I see lots of places where I have to tap to expose things that were visible without tapping in the old app (like my list of trips, my upcoming boarding passes, etc.). We'll see how it all works on my next flight in a few days...
Lots of pretty eye candy, but I'm not sure it's as intuitive and quick as the old app. I see lots of places where I have to tap to expose things that were visible without tapping in the old app (like my list of trips, my upcoming boarding passes, etc.). We'll see how it all works on my next flight in a few days...
#17
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Shared Troll
Programs: The Marina. Comic Relief. UA 1K and 1MM. MacBook Pro.
Posts: 1,913
Due to the wonders of constantly improving processing power juxtaposed with reducing manufacturing costs, yesterday's junky $100 Nokia candybar phone has been replaced by an equally junky $100 whatever Android phone. Consider the pre-paid Android-powered Huawai whatever with a 2.5" screen the phone of choice by the Kettles of the mobile world. There lots of them out there.
Exactly.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Hmmm... Requires iOS 6 or higher, so no love for those of us still using their 1st Gen iPad. Note to UA Insider - the new design does not work with earlier iOS (the apple store tells you it won't work and offers to download an older version of the app) iPads. You seem to imply that the app will have the new design, just not the automatic re-sizing.
I guess this is just another reason to upgrade...
I guess this is just another reason to upgrade...
Last edited by tods27; Nov 14, 2013 at 2:45 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Portland
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 391
Surprised at the choice to consistently use lighter weights of Helvetica instead of the corporate FF Clan font. That combined with the stripe of yellow across the middle of the first screen makes me swear I'm looking at something from Lufthansa.
Overall, the design is much improved, though it's pretty inconsistent from screen to screen. And there's a ton of details that the engineers left out: no highlighted states on most tappable targets, no backgrounded network access, some screens scroll and some don't even when there's no need to, weird paging behavior among the first screen "cards", animations that flicker horribly, inconsistent gestures on the hamburger menus.
But a huge improvement from what was before. The parallax on the plane is cute.
Overall, the design is much improved, though it's pretty inconsistent from screen to screen. And there's a ton of details that the engineers left out: no highlighted states on most tappable targets, no backgrounded network access, some screens scroll and some don't even when there's no need to, weird paging behavior among the first screen "cards", animations that flicker horribly, inconsistent gestures on the hamburger menus.
But a huge improvement from what was before. The parallax on the plane is cute.
#20
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: UA Premier 1K, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 59
So much negativity for what is a huge step forward for the app.
A couple things:
- Group number is clearly visible, which should minimize the temptation to jump the line during boarding
- The PreCheck logo is now visible on Passbook passes, which is helpful in fending off Precheck line dragons
- Remembered flight status cards resolves a big complaint I had with the old version of the app.
In general, the amount of information available within a swipe or tap is an order of magnitude better than the old app. Big improvement!
+1 on the request to default 1 passenger Economy on the Book a Flight screen though... that's definitely one regression from the old app.
A couple things:
- Group number is clearly visible, which should minimize the temptation to jump the line during boarding
- The PreCheck logo is now visible on Passbook passes, which is helpful in fending off Precheck line dragons
- Remembered flight status cards resolves a big complaint I had with the old version of the app.
In general, the amount of information available within a swipe or tap is an order of magnitude better than the old app. Big improvement!
+1 on the request to default 1 passenger Economy on the Book a Flight screen though... that's definitely one regression from the old app.
#21
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
It would be nice if the app produced a barcode that could be read by the kiosks. Or conversely, if the kiosks could read the Aztec code of the mobile BP. Then I wouldn't have to copy in my confirmation number everytime.
#23
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Our Nation's Capital
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott BonVoy LT Titanium Elite, National Executive Elite
Posts: 832
Love the, however I wish the wish map would still display vertically instead of horizontally. Less scrolling - that helps us standbys out!
#25
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 284
but on the iPad it looks like a native app now
#26
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
Haven't tried to update but given the recent "enhancements", I'm truly shocked to learn United isn't charging for the app.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
What the heck is this app. This has got to be one of the most confusing things I've ever seen. I cannot figure out what the heck is going on, it's too busy and all around terrible. This coming from a 25 year old who is pretty good and up to date with technology
#28
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
If limited to 4.4/KitKat then the market size is small. But I'm looking forward KitKat update for my Samsung Galaxy S4 -- a bit more than a toy some Apple folks seem think it is.
#29
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
FYI, Q400's now have double the seats, check out today's flight 3874 for example.
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174