Filed under: Cool tools, iPhone, First Look, App Review
First Look: Zipcar app for iPhone hits the road
The company's teaser page still says "coming soon," but eagle-eyed reader Jason spotted the free Zipcar app [iTunes link] in the store today. We've been waiting for this app for quite a while, and it's exciting to see it in action.
The app provides Zipcar members with a location-based search for nearby Zipcar locations, allowing them to drill down to the individual garages via a map view. Reserving a car is as easy as clicking one big green button, and the app allows you to sort available cars by time, type and model to make it easier to find the one you want. You can see your upcoming reservations and cancel a car if you don't need it after all.
Once you get to your car, you can use the virtual keyfob to help find it in the garage by honking the horn (nice touch); while you still need to use your RFID-equipped Zipcard to activate the car's remote unlock and ignition system, once you do that at the beginning of your reservation you can put it back in your wallet and use the iPhone to lock and unlock the car. You can also extend your reservation from the iPhone app, as long as there's open time after your slot ends.
One somewhat quirky thing about the app is that there's no way to adjust your reservation time window except at the 'top' of the car search process; often as not, with the Zipcar website, you may find yourself tweaking the hours of your booking to improve your chances of finding the car you need. The lack of flexibility is noted on the app's iTunes page under "Coming Soon," so a future release will probably improve matters here. The Zipcar app requires iPhone OS 3.0 and works on the iPod touch as well, although most features will require a network connection.
Zipcar members are almost as enthusiastic about the service as iPhone owners are about their devices, so this combination is sure to strike sparks. Once you've got the Zipcar app downloaded, let us know your road trip experiences via the comments below.
Gallery: Zipcar for iPhone
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xxdesmus said 2:07PM on 9-28-2009
and in other news, Zipcar really isn't such a great deal (price-wise) either. Yes, also just like the iPhone. (says the iPhone owner)
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JasonL said 3:26PM on 9-28-2009
Well, it's sure a great deal to me! I pay Zipcar about $125 for the few times a month that I need to travel out of Boston. Without this service, I'd be paying $175 a month for insurance PLUS monthly car payments, gas, service repairs, state fees, etc. Totally worth it for my needs. The app looks promising but I hope that they eventually allow the ability to keep your RFID-equipped Zipcard at home.
Modano said 3:47PM on 9-28-2009
It's a great deal for me too. I live in NYC and don't want to deal with the hassles of car ownership but I occasionally need a car to run an errand or pick up furniture, girlfriend at the airport, etc. Even the daily rates are comparable to rental cars and it's much more convenient.
marcio.castilho said 2:38PM on 9-28-2009
Some Reviews for ZipCar iPhone app here:
http://uquery.com/apps/329384702
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Andy said 2:51PM on 9-28-2009
It's a fantastically good deal for me, someone who lives in downtown Portland with 200+ cars at my disposal. I use it mostly to haul stuff (people or cargo) and it's very useful and cost effective compared to renting a car of truck for the day, which may not even be possible since most places have regular business hours.
Also, the $29 deal for 6pm-8am is great, as is the half price after midnight deal (which I use all the time). It's cheaper/better than a cab, and for short trips even better than public transit!
Ok, I swear I don't work for them :P
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emil said 3:53PM on 9-28-2009
I have mixed feelings about ZipCar. It is definitely better than other rental car options in the city in terms of price and knowing what you are going to get, but I've had them change my reservation without letting me know at least six or seven times. Usually they put me in another vehicle, which isn't a big deal as long as it's in the same garage, but I found out the day before Thanksgiving last year that my reservation had been moved from midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn. Talk about screwing up a holiday..
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ddelzell said 4:37PM on 9-28-2009
Just used it to reserve a car for Wednesday. Worked like a charm!
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Jaap said 5:16PM on 9-28-2009
wish they had this (including the app) in the UK
Gautam said 7:05PM on 9-28-2009
Sounds like a good first attempt...I just downloaded it, and it looks like there is certainly room for improvement.
Regarding the first commentator's note - Zipcar can be a good deal, depending on where you live and how much you use cars, and if your university or company has a discount program with Zipcar.
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Dogzilla said 7:31PM on 9-28-2009
Zipcar is an excellent deal for folks living in Boston. I can't speak to other cities from personal experience, but not having to pay for maintenance, insurance, parking, or leasing is huge. I've owned several cars during my time here in Boston, and I've never been happier since making the move to Zipcar. I suppose if you're employed by a bank and use money as toilet paper you can afford an indoor parking space in Boston along with all the other costs, but for normal people, I think it's one of the best things you can do to improve your quality of life.
One thing about this specific app - I'm not sure how to "narrow down" results. If I'm looking at the map and select, say, "minivans" or "convertibles", how do I narrow the display? I've tried just closing and shaking, but don't really see it filtering results.
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Harkonian said 12:42PM on 9-29-2009
I have a couple of issues with ZipCar. 1) I'm not sure what rates most of you are getting, but my Hertz rate for a compact car is $32/day. Even with fees and taxes I still come out ahead of ZipCar's $66/day. 2) Living in West Los Angeles you would think there would be plenty of cars around, but there aren't any within 5 miles of me. In particular I'm surprised there aren't any in Santa Monica, Culver City, or even downtown LA. Meanwhile I have a Hertz less than a mile away.
This is really a service I would like to use if it were practical and affordable.
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