A source has told TechCrunch that Uber, the taxi app currently causing cabbies all over the world to be up in arms, may be planning to introduce a public API.
Uber works by pressing a ‘request a ride’ button on a pretty sleek looking app, but linking this functionality to places outside of the standalone app would make perfect sense for everyone involved.
Google Maps, which Uber penetrated in May, was the obvious step towards making an API. Within Google Maps, the Uber option comes up next to the ‘walking’ or ‘public transport’ option, and takes the user through to the Uber app with the destination already added. Google Ventures is also stakeholder in Uber.
Opening up the API to other mobile-oritentated firms such as Foursquare and Yelp could see Uber getting much more business. This could also introduce the idea of revenue sharing, ultimately boosting Uber’s visibility and business opportunities.
A few weeks ago, Re/code claimed that Uber may even be in talks with Facebook to introduce Uber into its messaging service.
A source told the site: "It’s very conceptual, and nowhere near execution," said one person with knowledge of the situation.
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"But it’s a direction that Messenger has to go in."
