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Uber unveils 'quiet mode' for riders who don't want to talk to drivers

Uber riders will be able to discreetly ask that talkative drivers keep quiet on trips, but it won’t apply to all tiers the ride-share service offers.

Uber senior product manager Aydin Ghajar announced Tuesday that Quiet Mode is among the new premium features for Uber Black and Uber Black SUV riders, which are ride tiers that provide professional drivers and high-end rides in luxury vehicles.

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"If you need to respond to emails or are in the mood for a nap, make your trip a quieter one with just one tap," Ghajar said. "If you're in the mood to chat, that's an option too."

Other features include Help with Luggage, which will alert drivers that a rider will need help with bags; temperature control to communicate to drivers before entering a vehicle; extended pickup periods for unexpected delays; and consistent vehicle quality in terms of model, make, exterior and interior.

The premium features are now available to all Uber Black and Uber Black SUV riders, which includes Martha Stewart, who became a spokesperson for the companyafter complaining about sub par service in November 2018.  BuzzFeed reported that her Instagram post in which she shared photos of a car that was "a mess inside and out" had been deleted.

The Verge reported that the new options aren't necessarily free. Fares for Uber Black and Uber Black SUV are generally 100% more expensive than Uber X and 200% more expensive than Uber Pool.

Find out more about the new features at the Uber Newsroom website.