Google Maps for mobile is adding a new option for people looking for directions, adding a dedicated tab which will highlight ride sharing services in your area.
Google Maps has previously offered Uber as an option for ride-sharing, but will now offer up the option in a new tab dedicated just to ride sharing. As a global offering though, Google has also added in new partners announcing a new set of providers including: ’99Taxis in Brazil, Ola Cabs in India, Hailo in the UK and Spain, mytaxi in Germany and Spain, and Gett in the UK’.
The services won’t be offered if you don’t have their app installed, indicating some background deep linking is involved with the new feature. If you do have their app, you’ll see ‘fare estimates and pick up times if a car is available near you’. Once you select a service, you’ll be sent to the app to complete the booking.
Google will also be showing the Uber equivalants as well, including from today seeing estimates and availability for we’ll uberX, uberXL and UberBLACK.
The feature will go live on Android first, with updates arriving over the next few days, but will also eventually hit iOS. Keep an eye out for that.
