Uber has today announced the launch of Uber Lite in South Africa, which the company states is the lighter way to use the ride sharing app. Uber Lite’s new interface was designed to make booking rides quicker and lighter in low connectivity, on basic Android phones, and for people with limited data plans.

Here are the key product features:

• Light on your phone: Uber Lite is less than 5 MB to download. And, with a 300-millisecond response time (literally the blink of the eye), the booking process is fast even in low connectivity.
• Guided Pickups: Uber Lite guides users through the request experience by detecting their current location, so minimal typing is required. If it can’t detect your location because of GPS or network issues, it guides you to choose popular landmarks nearby.
• Tap Over Type: Instead of typing where you are, you can choose a nearby point of interest. Additionally, the app stores the city’s top places so that even when you are offline, no network is needed for them to appear. And the more you use Uber Lite, it learns where you go most often, and surfaces those options first. This feature is particularly convenient for people with phones with smaller screens.
• Maps On Demand: To keep the app light and fast, maps in Uber Lite are not loaded by default, but are available with a tap when you need them.

Furthermore, Uber Lite retains the core functionality of the rider app, has in-app support, and includes critical safety features, such as an emergency button that connects riders to a third party supplier who provides emergency services and security response services,  and the ability to share your trip with friends and family.