Lyft Adds A Very Familiar Feature To Its App For Android, iOS

Lyft has updated its app for both Android and iOS systems. The new version of the app now comes with a very familiar feature that’s designed to save time for both the user and the driver.

On Monday, Lyft took to its official blog to announce the new feature called Pickup Suggestions. What this does is help users and drivers find each other faster by suggesting more convenient pickup spots. Lyft knows that it could be maddening when the ride you hailed does not arrive as quickly as possible. While this is understandable in areas where drivers need to navigate through one-way and busy streets, Lyft wants to minimize the waiting period by suggesting to users pickup spots that are easily accessible to drivers.

When you use the Pickup Suggestions feature, the app will look for a pickup spot nearby that will allow for your faster meet-up with the Lyft driver. When a more convenient spot is located, you as a user will be given the option of meeting the driver at the new location to save you both time. Lyft promises users that they won’t have to worry about the distance they have to walk to the suggested pickup spots because the feature only recommends locations that are just a short walk away from the original destination.

Lyft has made this feature optional, so it is up to you if you are going to skip or accept the recommended destination by the app. Skipping the suggestion would mean hitting the “No, thanks” button ad just staying on the original spot you chose to meet your ride. Nevertheless, this is perfect for users who have already called for their ride beforehand and still have plenty of time to wait or get ready.

Lyft has shared an infographic showing how the feature works. Basically, the app would function as how it normally would by finding you a Lyft ride. Once the app has found you a match, the feature will automatically locate a more convenient spot where you can be picked up by the Lyft driver. The feature will even display the amount of time it would take for you to reach the new destination. If you feel that meeting your ride at the suggested place is the best way to go, you simply tap “Update” so the driver will be notified that you have switched to a more accessible pickup location.

Lyft isn’t the first to come up with this feature. Android Police pointed out that a similar feature has been around on Uber’s app for a couple of years now. According to the online publication, the feature really helps a lot of people in saving time especially when they are located in complex neighborhoods.

For users who want to try out and use the new feature, they need to update their app first to its latest version. Android users should visit the Google Play Store to update their Lyft app, while Apple consumers should head to the iTunes/App Store to download the latest version of the iOS app.