Great update. No crashes so far on my Nexus 5 or 7 (mostly used it on the 5).

Regarding the boarding pass brightness, yes, it is easy to program that into the app. In fact, DL's app kicks up the brightness to full level when you open a boarding pass, and then returns it when you exit the boarding pass.

I like!

Digital Redesign Update: Mobile App Passport Scanning
 

Hi everyone,

In today’s United mobile app update for both iOS and Android, we added a passport scanning feature for check-in to international itineraries. We’re bringing you this feature in the app to save one step that previously had to be done at the airport to complete check-in.

Here are the key details to know:

• New check-in option: Upon check-in, you will be asked to verify your existing stored passport data if it’s already in our system, or you will now have the option to scan your passport. You can also use the scanning feature if you need to replace or add a new passport when checking in for an international itinerary. Scanned passports will be saved to your MileagePlus profile (maximum 2 passports issued by different countries).
• How it works: The camera on your device will be accessed, similar to the functionality of many mobile banking deposit services. The scanned passport will be verified by a third party, Jumio, for additional security and to help prevent fraudulent activity. If the document fails to scan via the app you’ll need to see an agent at the airport to check-in.
• Passports only: Only passports (issued by any country) can be supported at this time, however, visas or permanent residency cards are being considered for future releases.
• Processing time: We recommend keeping the app open during the duration of the document verification. Currently it takes on average 2-3 minutes, but may take up to five minutes to complete. This is an initial test of the functionality and we are working to improve the wait time and other performance features in future releases.
• Don’t forget to take your passport with you: While this new feature will allow you to bypass the kiosk at the airport, remember that you will still be required to travel with your valid passport and any other required travel document on international itineraries, and present it at the airport.

We’ll continue to test and enhance this feature based on customer and employee feedback. If you have an opportunity to try out mobile app passport scanning and have feedback for us, please use the “app feedback” in the menu options.

UA Insider

UAInsider - that's great news on the passport feature! Thanks for letting us know. When will the app update "push"? I haven't seen my Android app update yet ...

The passport feature sounds great.

I hope an early update enables landscape mode in the seat selector and uses the small airplane images in portrait mode. (The small images already exist. To see them, have your device in landscape mode when you select the flight. The app will revert to portrait mode but it will use the small image.)

Uber with United
 

Hi everyone,

In today’s United mobile app update for both iOS and Android, we added new functionality to view Uber transportation services directly through the United app, making United the only airline partner to offer this technology with Uber at this time. We are partnering with Uber to offer a relevant and useful ground transportation tool to help make the day-of-travel experience with United even more convenient.

Here are the key details to know:

• Uber 101: Uber is a dispatch and payment service for taxis and other car services. Transportation and vehicle options vary by each city, but typically range from a taxi, Black Car (sedan), SUV (seats 6 people), LUX (luxury vehicle) or uberX (ride-share).

• How it works: The new Uber feature can be accessed through the app’s menu on the top left-hand corner, or directly from a reservation card. Using this feature you’ll be able to see the time estimate for a car to arrive to pick you up, a cost estimate for a ride to the airport, and the car types available to you in your local city (most cities will offer options of Black Car/private car or taxi). Upon selection of a ride, the information will be transferred to the Uber app if you have it installed or to the Uber website to complete your transportation transaction.

• Uber handles the money: When completing an Uber transaction via the Uber app or website you’ll need to sign in to your existing Uber account or enroll with Uber. Payment will be handled by Uber with the exception of one service type in Manhattan (uberT) where payment is handled through the driver.

• Riding with uberX: uberX is a ride-sharing service through Uber in select cities. Given the different and evolving regulations of transportation services in cities across our global network, Uber and United will only display in our app services approved by each city and their local transportation authorities.

• Uber is global: This app feature will be available globally, and Uber is currently active in over 128 cities and 36 countries.

If you’re new to Uber, for a limited time you’ll be able to earn 1,000 MileagePlus award miles when you complete your first Uber transaction via the United app. We hope many of you will find this new feature useful if you find yourself needing a lift, and as always, please send us feedback via the “app feedback” feature in the menu options to let us know what you think.

UA Insider

The team-up with Uber is most welcome.

I used the passport scan function this weekend while checking in my wife for an international itinerary and it worked perfectly. The app continues to improve. Kudos to the IT group responsible for it.

TOPIC DRIFT ALERT

Let's keep the discussion on the features & benefits of the mobile Android App as opposed to a discussion of the Uber car service

goalie
UA Forum Co-Moderator

Does the passport scanning work if two people are on the PNR and you have both passports?

Goalie, I'm sorry. I have deep respect for you as a mod, but when UA Insider posts about an app-based service, it's entirely appropriate for any of us to comment on the validity/safety of that service. It seems to me that's exactly what FlyerTalk is all about. My 2p.

Well that's great! Thanks , I'll give it a try. Uber is pretty big here in the Bay Area. I have not tried it yet.

First off thank you for the kind words :)

Secondly, normally your post would be deleted as it's publicly discussing moderator actions and I would respond to your privately by PM but in this instance, and in the interest of full disclosure for all to understand...

UA Insider posted about the Uber feature being added to the Android App and yes, imho <member vs moderator hat on>, the press release was posted and nothing else and this is where "the fun part of being a moderator" comes into play in trying to keep threads on topic as this thread started to drift in the direction of discussing Uber itself as opposed to how the Uber feature works/doesn't work with the Android App.

For example, if a member posts about how the Uber feature on the app worked or didn't work that would be fine and if they also posted, that for whatever reason, their Uber pick-up failed that would also be fine if that portion of the post was as an aside but if other members picked up on the "fail" portion of the post, you could see how the thread would go off topic and that's where moderation comes into play.

Now with that being said, a possible solution for discussing Uber specific issues as to how they relate to United is being discussed and it will be made available when finalized but in the interim, I would suggest that if you have questions and/or concerns about what was posted by UA Insider regarding Uber itself, that you contact them directly

Thanks for your understanding :)

uber
 

Uber on UA app = awesome.

Folks: Maybe the general Uber good/bad discussion can be continued in a TravelBuzz thread? Perhaps this one: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...ber-users.html

Digital Redesign Update: Android App
 

The big black Uber button certainly spoils the UA branding. As someone who isn't interested in using Uber, a "disable ads" option would be nice. Unless they're also about to add seamless.com ("order your dinner when you land because ours is horrid!"), amazon.com ("did your carry-on fail our new sizers? Buy a new one here!"), etc... #smiseked