Uber X Facebook Announced; Can Users Now Get A Cab Through The Messenger App?
Facebook has agreed to work with Uber to allow users to order cabs directly from its instant messaging application, Messenger, according to BBC.
The partnership was announced Wednesday, revealed The New York Times.
The new service allows users the luxury of not having to download the Uber app separately. Customers can now hail cabs without leaving the Facebook software.
According to the two firms, "Uber on Messenger" has began in parts of the United States this week and the new venture was announced on each of the companies' blogs.
Facebook's product manager, Seth Rosenberg said that the service is being tested in areas where Uber operates domestically and will eventually roll out to the 700 million Messenger users. Facebook has approximately one and a half billion users while financially speaking, Uber is the world's leading driver-hailing application.
"With this new feature, you can request a ride from a car service without ever needing to download an extra app or leave a conversation," said Rosenberg in a blog post. "It's super easy and doesn't take you away from the plans that you're making with your friends or family."
Customers can download Messenger app's latest version and can then tap on the "more" menu in a conversation. Users can then choose "transportation." Another option is to tap on the car icon to order a cab and the driver's status will be sent by Messenger, with an option to notify your friends when your ride is en route.
"This is about cross pollination of both customer bases which makes much strategic sense in today's tech landscape," said Dan Ives to ABC. "These are two of the golden technology brands for consumers getting together and it's a partnership that makes a ton of sense for cross selling into the consumer."
Ives is the managing director of the technology, media and telecom research group at FBR Capital Markets and says the move adds value to both companies.
Uber will be able to tap into Facebook's Messenger app users and Facebook in turn, will be able to build Messenger into more than just a communications application.