In its ongoing effort to keep Facebook users inside the Facebook universe at all times, the social media giant is adding a new feature to Messenger that will allow folks to hail a ride with Uber and other on-demand car services from within the app.
The new feature, aptly enough dubbed “Transportation” by Facebook, will allow users to request a ride from a car service, even if you don’t have the Uber or the Lyft app on your phone, without leaving a conversation.
To hail a ride inside the app, users have to download the latest version of Messenger. When you’re in a conversation with a friend, you can then tap the “more” menu and select Transportation. Users can also search for Uber and tap the car icon to request a ride.
All updates regarding the driver’s status will then appear within Messenger, you’ll be able to pay for the ride, and your friends will be notified that you’ve called a ride. Ostensibly, this just means the friends you’re in the conversation with, and not all your Facebook friends in general.
To encourage Messenger users to get onboard with the in-app travel tool, Facebook is offering the first ride for free (for a limited time, up to $20) with Uber. You’ll have to claim your free ride by linking your existing Uber account to Messenger, or setting up a new account inside Messenger and requesting a ride.
Facebook says it’s currently testing the service with select users in locations where Uber operates, and that other countries and more transportation partners will also be included in the future.
by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist
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