Google Integrates iOS and Android Maps for Uber

Uber is designed with the intention of connecting riders to drivers through their apps. So how does this process work? The steps are fairly easy, you download the app and enter your credit card information, when you need a ride, open the app and press a button. That is pretty much it. 

On the other end, you have drivers in Uber's network that are circling your neighborhood and by the magic that we’ve come to know as GPS, the closest driver is soon arriving at your front door. One thing that seems to make this process appealing is that the fare is calculated by some algorithm of distance and time. This means that no cash is ever exchanged. Gratuity for the driver is also automatically taken care of. This is all accomplished through the credit card you gave at the beginning.

A little less than four years ago, when Uber was barely more than a private luxury car service for Silicon Valley’s elite techies. Today, Uber is now in 35 countries, with a majority of its service available across 56 cities in North America. This is due to the fact that CEO and founder, Travis Kalanick decided that there could be an easier way to connect riders to drivers and the startup began its fundraising campaign.

Last year the company raised $361.2 million, $250 million came from Google’s investment side, Google Venture. With this last round of funding, Uber has reached a valuation of $3.5 billion. It would seem that Google has a great amount of faith in the car service. So much so, that earlier this week Google brought Uber into its mobile family.

This was accomplished with an update to its iOS and Android Maps applications. The transportation and ride-sharing app has now been integrated as one of Google’s various travel options. The update will also allow you to jump directly into Uber with one tap on the icon within Maps.

Another option that has been added through the Maps update is the ability to save the maps offline. You will need a Gmail account, once you sign into Maps with the account, you will be able to save the information and then call up the maps at any time.

Another addition is that you should see better location filters. This will be advantageous when you are looking for something like dining options. The turn-by-turn option has also received a face lift. When you are in navigation mode, you will be able to see arrival times along with distance and lane information, as well as suggestions for alternative routes.