Uber, in a move to stay ahead of competitors such as Lyft, has opened its API to all developers enabling other companies to integrate its service into third party apps.
This development enables apps to pass a destination address to the Uber app, display pickup times, provide fare estimates, and access trip history.
A nmber of companies are using this new functionality. TripAdvisor is one of the first sites to to integrate the Uber API to its app and mobile website, while United Airlines is the first airline to offer Uber via its mobile app.
TripAdvisor said the new feature allows travellers to easily reserve a ride with Uber to restaurants, attractions and hotels in more than 40 cities worldwide.
When users visit TripAdvisor’s listings of restaurants, attractions and hotels they are now able to see an estimate of Uber car fares and the wait times for pickup.
By tapping a “Ride there with Uber” button, the search site seamlessly takes them to the Uber app or mobile website to complete the reservation and send a car to their location. Users will only be charged if they get a ride, and fares vary by location, vehicle type and travel times.
The new Uber feature for TripAdvisor’s iOS and Android app and mobile website is available in English and Italian, with more languages and cities to be added in the future.
Adam Medros, TripAdvisor’s senior vice president of global product said, “Millions of travellers rely on the TripAdvisor app to help them plan and have the perfect trip during all parts of their journey, and our partnership with the popular technology platform makes our app an even more powerful travel-planning resource.”
Added Jeff Holden, chief product officer at Uber, “TripAdvisor’s integration with Uber’s new public API puts requesting an Uber in context, right inside the TripAdvisor app. That’s a big deal because e it saves people time and simplifies their lives; instead of having to exit the TripAdvisor app, run the Uber app and enter the destination address, your Uber is on its way with just a tap, ready to whisk you off to the venue you were looking at.”
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