Digital Redesign Update: Next up, a new iOS mobile app
Nov 15, 2013, 1:29 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,204
One of my reservations isn't coming up as a "card". I see it the wallet (or whatever it's called, and it lets me add it to my home screen as a card, but when I click on the card, I get a pop-up saying "We are unable to retrieve the latest information for this itinerary".
Nov 15, 2013, 1:49 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 217
OK, after some time with it, here is my opinion. It looks like Google Now and Windows Phone got drunk and made an app.
Visually it is a major upgrade but like most apps, the failure is on the navigation. There is no consistent navigation style across the app. You have Google Now style cards across the top with a side swipe navigation unlike Google's vertical swipe. The bottom of the main page is reminiscent of Windows Phone tiles with the Metro interface. The side swipe for menu options adds a third navigation style to the app. Few apps are able to pull off so many navigation styles on a small screen.
I think the app developers are planning on using similar navigation and format for all of the operating systems. If this is the case, that would explain why the signature navigation style from all three major operating systems is used within a single application. This allows for components of familiarity for each user base.
I think the application is just 'OK' as an iOS app. After getting used to it, I think I will adapt just fine. However, I don't believe good design requires adaptation.
Delta still has the best app, IMHO.
Visually it is a major upgrade but like most apps, the failure is on the navigation. There is no consistent navigation style across the app. You have Google Now style cards across the top with a side swipe navigation unlike Google's vertical swipe. The bottom of the main page is reminiscent of Windows Phone tiles with the Metro interface. The side swipe for menu options adds a third navigation style to the app. Few apps are able to pull off so many navigation styles on a small screen.
I think the app developers are planning on using similar navigation and format for all of the operating systems. If this is the case, that would explain why the signature navigation style from all three major operating systems is used within a single application. This allows for components of familiarity for each user base.
I think the application is just 'OK' as an iOS app. After getting used to it, I think I will adapt just fine. However, I don't believe good design requires adaptation.
Delta still has the best app, IMHO.
Well said
Nov 15, 2013, 2:11 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
PreCheck on the Passbook BP is a huge step forward. Last week at DEN they had a TSA checker at the beginning of the PreCheck line and I had to fumble through my phone to get to the UA in-app BP. Now it'll just be a swipe away in passbook!
And if you move your phone around, you can let the folks on the 737 experience some serious bumps
.
And if you move your phone around, you can let the folks on the 737 experience some serious bumps
.
Nov 15, 2013, 2:36 pm
#94
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
Nov 15, 2013, 2:58 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,427
Nov 15, 2013, 3:10 pm
#97
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,037
I've posted at this link
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21792222-post589.html
a way that some might be able to get the old United app back....
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21792222-post589.html
a way that some might be able to get the old United app back....
Nov 15, 2013, 3:33 pm
#98
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NYC, Wash DC
Programs: BA Gold, UA Plat (1mm),Marriott LT Plat, Avis PC, National Exec Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 395
Priorities....
United still can't tell me when my United Express flight will arrive or depart but they have a spiffy new app to tell me......nothing!
Still can't clean the airplanes but at least we've got a new app......
Still can't clean the airplanes but at least we've got a new app......
Nov 15, 2013, 3:50 pm
#99
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Programs: UA 1K (MM), MR Plat Prem, Hertz Pres
Posts: 1,164
Also, I noticed that Passbook thought my flight was at 13:40 today instead of 9:40am. I'm not sure whether it's the United app getting the time zone wrong or Passbook, but something is...
Nov 15, 2013, 4:17 pm
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Am I the only one feels this?
1) When pulling out the PNR, it's running slower than the old version.
2) When upgrade is cleared, the big helpful "check sign" is not there anymore.
1) When pulling out the PNR, it's running slower than the old version.
2) When upgrade is cleared, the big helpful "check sign" is not there anymore.
Nov 15, 2013, 9:48 pm
#101
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,134
United actually flies in the new app!
Anyone discovered this? When I rotate my iOS7-based iPhone 4s, the United aircraft on the homepage of the app actually moves! I don't know why it took me this long to find it since yesterday! 
Nov 15, 2013, 9:51 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Honolulu / DC
Programs: UA 1K /2mm / Marriott Lifetime Titanium , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,053
Not a fan
The old app could have benefited from a few functionality improvements and updated graphics. The new app has great graphics and impenetrable functionality. Just figuring out where to sign in was a scavenger hunt. For this i-phone user, the app is a terrible change.
Used it to check in for a PVD to IAD flight this evening. Got a boarding pass that got me through TSA, but at the gate, I couldn't board. Agent told me I never checked in and that they thus gave my seat away. App showed me checked in, upgraded and with a boarding pass. Likely a SHARES issue, but very rocky first use.
I liked the old app - met 90+% of my needs, was intuitive and highly functional.
Used it to check in for a PVD to IAD flight this evening. Got a boarding pass that got me through TSA, but at the gate, I couldn't board. Agent told me I never checked in and that they thus gave my seat away. App showed me checked in, upgraded and with a boarding pass. Likely a SHARES issue, but very rocky first use.
I liked the old app - met 90+% of my needs, was intuitive and highly functional.
Nov 15, 2013, 10:08 pm
#103
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: DL BA Amex
Posts: 916
This new AP is a mess! As soon as I can find the old AP I will be re-installing it.
All I can find is an older version on my ipod touch... I will try to back it up to itunes and reload it to my iphone...
All I can find is an older version on my ipod touch... I will try to back it up to itunes and reload it to my iphone...
Nov 15, 2013, 10:21 pm
#104
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: United 1k ; SW A+ Preferred; Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 634
Downloaded mid-trip and took a bit of getting used to, but I like it. Spent about 15 minutes familiarizing myself with the changes and it works just fine. Apparently others are more challenged. C'est la gare.
Bingo!
Bingo!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 15, 2013 at 10:35 pm Reason: merge
Nov 15, 2013, 11:18 pm
#105
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: 23,200
But how would you propose the app decide what destination to display when United's own reservation system can't even determine the correct destination?