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Google Maps now has full ride services integration with Uber as Google has just announced an update to the Ride Services mode that makes booking a ride even easier than it was before. Although Google has also made other updates to Maps in this app update, the focus is on ride services so all of the changes, save for likely some bug fixes and improvements that tend to come with just about every app update, are geared towards booking and managing your rides from within the app. This of course does require you to be logged into your Uber account.
Building on the Ride Services mode that Google initially introduced in 2016, they’ve slapped a new coat of paint on the design for this particular mode and whenever users now open up to look for a ride, they’ll see options like Uber and Lyft displayed in an easy to use carousel design that allows them to swipe left or right through the list, instead of actually displaying things in a list that takes up the whole screen like the way you see it in the image above. The goal here was to allow users to have a moderate-sized view of the actual map with icons for the different rides that are available around the area, while also having a view of the rides services that they can book just below the map.
The new look also ties directly into another new feature with this latest Google Maps update and that’s the ability to actually book a ride with Uber from within the Maps app so you don’t actually have to open Uber also. If you’re already in Maps and searching for directions to a specific location, you can swipe over to Ride Services mode to see the carousel list of Uber ride options and simply tap on the one you want to book, and you’ll be shown options for Lyft as well. It’s that simple. This new booking option also lets you pay for the ride without having to leave Maps as well, and as stated above you to have to be logged into your Uber account, but you don’t actually have to have the Uber app installed on your phone. If you live an area where services like Uber and Lyft operate, Google Maps just made it easier to access these services by consolidating their features into one place. You’ll need the latest version of Google Maps to get access to the new Ride Services mode, and if you haven’t already received the update over-the-air, you can grab the APK from the button below.
Download Google Maps 9.43.2 APK
