Now Uber Lets You Book a Cab Even If You Don’t Have a Smartphone

Cab hailing company Uber, has launched a web-based version and a string of new application features in India.

Uber announces new features for a better rider experience.

(Photo: Reuters)

Riders will no longer need a smartphone or strong internet connectivity to book a cab, said Uber while announcing India focused innovations for an enhanced rider experience.

The new technology will allow users to book a ride without using the mobile application. Apart from launching a web-based and a ‘call to ride’ version of Uber, the company has also floated three new app features on a pilot basis.

Daniel Graf, the Vice-President and Global Head of Product at Uber said that the firm has been investing heavily towards building solutions for non-Android users and those who do not have access to the app.

We have rolled out a web-based version of Uber called m.uber.com. This option will be beneficial for people who own only basic smartphones, but cannot support apps on their device due to limited storage space. Riders can also choose to book from their desktop or tablet.

Daniel Graf, Vice-President and Global Head of Product, Uber

The web-based experience is said to be similar to booking a cab on the Uber app.

Non-Smartphone Users Catch Uber’s Eye

Uber has rolled-out three new app-based features on a pilot basis.(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

With the ‘call to ride’ feature, riders can book a cab across certain major locations in a city over a phone call.

Riders have to call the nationwide number and enter the four-digit code displayed on banners set up at popular junctions. A text message will pop up once the booking is confirmed.

Daniel Graf

The innovation which is aimed at capturing the feature phone user market is in the piloting stage.

Uber will very soon allow riders to book a cab for their family and friends, immaterial of where the guest is stationed. Even if the booking is done on the requester’s phone, the rider will receive the details of the vehicle as well as the driver. The roll-out is expected to start in the next few weeks.

Also Read: Uber Seals Multibillion-Dollar Investment From Softbank

The San Francisco-based company is also planning to introduce an offline feature specifically for users who experience bad internet connectivity.

We are going to enable this by cashing the top points of interest so that riders can enter the destinations even with low bandwidth.

Peter Deng, Rider Experience Head, Uber

Uber Eyes Bigger Pie in India

The cab-hailing giant has lined up a number of innovations for India.(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

Uber operates in 29 cities across India (the company’s second-largest market) with 4,50,000 driver-partners and at least 1,000 employees. It has been directing its resources towards making trips both reliable and affordable. The company recently inaugurated an engineering facility at Hyderabad, besides the already existing set up in Bangalore, to build solutions for markets across the globe.

India has always been a market with a huge potential. The focus is on a high velocity of technology transformation. As of now, we want to ensure that even riders who do not have a smartphone or internet connectivity can book an Uber.

Daniel Graf, Vice-President and Global Head of Product of Uber

This is definitely a good move from Uber, which has been looking to up-the-ante against its direct rival in the market, which is Ola.

The offline search option is something we’ve prescribed to Uber for a while, and we’re glad that even in its pilot phase, the feature has made it to the public.

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