Myanmar Mobile Zone: Tech News

Call your next Uber using Facebook Messenger

Uber wants to be everywhere and available at any time. Whether it be on a <a href="http://www.neowin.net/news/uber-heads-to-windows-10-mobile-and-pcs-with-cortana-support-new-us-users-get-a-free-ride">new Windows 10-powered device</a> or through your <a href="http://www.neowin.net/news/outlook-updated-with-support-for-uber-paypal-evernote-and-more">Outlook application</a>,
 Uber clearly wants to be in your face the moment you might need a ride.
 Now Uber, along with other ride services over time, is being integrated
 into Facebook's Messenger chat application.<br />

As of today, users of Messenger will be able to hail a car from 
within the app via the new Transportation feature, which now supports 
Uber. There are two ways you can access this feature. First, simply 
selecting the car icon below your text entry field within a Messenger 
conversation will bring up available car service options. Alternatively,
 tapping on an underlined address from within a conversation also works.
 Messenger underlines the address text and allows it to become a link, 
which then gives you the options "Open in Map" and "Request a ride" when
 touched. Using either method, Messenger then opens up an in-app Uber 
interface that gives you the option of signing in or creating a new 
account. Once signed in, all available Uber services are then presented 
to you.<br />

Your pickup and drop-off locations are automatically entered into the
 appropriate fields, though you can adjust either should you need to. 
The ETA of the nearest vehicle is displayed as well as the fare 
estimate. Selecting the "REQUEST" option will call the car, and off 
you'll go. As a bonus, Messenger users that call an Uber will get their 
first ride for free (up to $20), you don't even need the Uber app 
installed on your device to call the car via Messenger.<br />

<div class="img-center">
<img alt="" height="372" src="https://www.neowin.net/images/uploaded/2015/12/uberfacebook_story.jpg" width="660" /></div>
Facebook states that the option to call an Uber through Messenger 
isn't widely available yet as it's still in testing. Facebook says only 
"select users in the locations where Uber operates in the United States"
 have access to Uber within Messenger right now (we were able to access 
the feature in the Seattle, WA market). More locations in and out of the
 United States will have access over time. Facebook is also working on 
bringing more rideshare services into the Messenger app, though none 
were mentioned by name.<br />

Source: <a href="http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2015/12/introducing-transportation-on-messenger/">Facebook</a></div>