Uber starts rolling out a simpler design for its Android app

Fans of the Uber ride-sharing service will soon be able to access a new, and hopefully easier to use, version of its mobile app for Android and iOS. The company announced that the new version is making a slow rollout beginning today, and the update should be available worldwide over the next several weeks.

Frequent Uber users will see in the updated app that they will be offered “shortcuts” for any predicted routes they may wish to take, so picking the one you want will just take one tap. Uber says that in the future, the app will be able to go into a person’s smartphone contacts. That will allow the app to find the best route to a specific person, rather than a location.

The app will also add a way to use a person’s calendar so they can create Uber routes directly to their meeting locations without a middleman. The app will also offer different services for where you want to go:

If you’re on the way to a meeting and want to prep, you’ll choose a solo ride with uberX. To ride in style to a celebration, maybe UberBLACK. And for a run-of-the-mill trip across town, uberPOOL. It’s now much easier to compare the cost of all your options with upfront fares.

Other features that will be added to the app include being able to check Yelp restaurant reviews directly, along with tips on where you might want to go via Foursquare. Do you use Uber often and, if so, do you think these new features will be a help when you have to call for your next trip?