Just over a week ago the news of Uber’s impending launch of its API for other app developers to add the ability to call an Uber from within their applications broke, and the realisation that Uber was aiming to become the go-to transportation app for the internet became quickly apparent.
Today saw the official launch of the API with its first 11 partner apps from the lifestyle and travel categories all on board from day one.
The partners are Expensify, Hinge, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Momento, OpenTable, Starbucks, Tempo, Time Out, TripAdvisor, TripCase, and United Airlines.
The API will allow for an app to send the current location and intended destination of a user to Uber and in return, display information like the estimated waiting time, price and types of vehicles available to be displayed in much the same way as they are in Uber’s native app.
Then depending on the level of integration with Uber, the app will either offer a ‘Request a ride’ button from inside the app or it will launch the Uber app with the user’s current location and destination already populated.
The idea behind the API is that you would make a reservation at a restaurant through the OpenTable app and immediately request an Uber to your location which would whisk you away to the restaurant, or catch an Uber to the airport to get to your flight on time from within the United Airlines app.
If you want to learn more about the Uber API you can click through to developer.uber.com or check out the sample app on the company’s GitHub.
[Source – Uber, Via – TechCrunch]
