TripAdvisor has announced an update to their iOS and Android apps which includes a redesigned interface and streamlined user experience.
In the past, TripAdvisor had an emphasis on travel reviews. With the update, it seems to have changed approach and become a fully-fledged price comparison service. Hotels are now arranged according to a combination of factors, including traveler ratings, hotel rates, booking popularity, brand affinity and location. The new app homepage makes it easier to find the right hotel, whilst offering faster ways to compare prices and book. Previously, the interface was incredibly basic with only a simple vertical scroll for navigation. You can now explore tabs for hotels, holiday rentals, flights, restaurants and things to do. The latter two categories use the latest machine learning to make more customised recommendations.
Travellers will find it easier than ever to access essential travel insights, including more than 500 million reviews and opinions covering seven million accommodations, airlines, restaurants and attractions globally. They will also find it easier to get the lowest price on every hotel search, as TripAdvisor searches more than 200 booking sites.
The change comes after months of consumer research where the company gathered feedback from thousands of users. A/B testing, focus groups and usability studies all showed that the public wanted an easier-to-use experience with greater emphasis on pricing and location.
The update is rolling out now to both Android and iOS users. Check your app for updates to see if you have the latest version!
