The UA mobile application is set to undergo a serious renovation within the next year.
Associated Students of the University of Arizona Sen. Alec Kretch, is working to redesign the Arizona mobile app, which will be relaunched next fall.
The updated version of the mobile app, called MyUA, is anticipated to be more user-friendly and will display many new features.
Kretch has been working with the University Mobile Services team to recreate the new mobile app.
He said the current app is outsourced to another company, and as part of his goal during his term in ASUA, Kretch wants UA students to help remake the updated version.
The contract for the current version of the app expires this summer, and Kretch said he’d like to launch the updated version in time for the incoming freshmen of the fall 2016 semester to use it.
Before starting the project, an investigation was held regarding the accomplishments and failures of the current app and possible improvements that could be made were looked into. To determine what changes to make, Kretch sent a survey to the student body in order to obtain a public opinion on the current version of the app.
From the surveys, Kretch said common grievances among the students were that the app contained too many options, some of which were not being used.
The new version will highlight more important features like campus maps or the CatTran routes. The more unpopular features of the app will be placed in a sidebar away from popular options to choose from.
Kretch said that the new update will include a parking feature that shows the activity of campus parking spaces, a video section for school updates from campus administration and even mobile voting capability for ASUA elections.
Journalism sophomore Leah Merrall explained that the new update will change the usage of the application, making it more practical for all UA students and faculty.
“I think it’s great that Sen. Kretch is recreating the Arizona app because honestly, no one uses it unless they are freshmen or visitors,” Merrall said. “I just use [the current app] in the beginning of each semester for directions to my new classes, but other than that it’s not that interesting and a bit confusing to use, too.”
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