Google Maps on iOS is updated with new private transportation services and other news

Last week Google announced that its mobile application would shortly thereafter introduced a new tab for private transport services, those at the Uber so to speak, on its Google Maps. The tab would appear alongside the existing routes, including those on foot, by car or by public transport. The novelty would be built first on Android and then "very soon" on iOS. And with the update a few hours ago it has arrived on iPhone and iPad.

The tab allows you to access not only to ride sharing Uber, already for some time within the application of satellite navigation of Google, but also to its direct competitors. Among these we find 99Taxis in Brazil, Ola Cabs in India, Hailo in the UK and Spain, MyTaxi in Germany and Spain, Gett in the UK. Their voices will join those of Uber, integrated with Google Maps since last 2014. Nothing to do again for Italy.

Although some of these services are already available in the beautiful country, the tab is not yet available in our version of the mobile client. Each entry in the list includes the estimated time for the "pick-up" and, if the service it provides, the type of transport to be requested. For example Uber offers many amenities including uberX, uberXL, uberBLACK and uberSELECT, and the application will divide the races by type. The "ride sharing" will be shown in some cases as possible in the routes on foot or by public transport.

Google is undoubtedly very interested in this service category. It is often said that the company wanted to develop an Uber competitor exploiting a fleet of cars to autonomous driving. Google has invested about Uber in the past, but its ambitions in the field could force it to leave their premises. A first move is to offer all the various ride-sharing services in the application in order to maintain a privileged position within the industry.

The services only and exclusively if the user installs the relevant application appear on Google Maps. By selecting a specific race you will be directed to the specific application, where they can be carried out all the available operations.

The update of iOS brings the version to 4.17.0 and over to the tab of private transport services introduces the following new features, which we quote directly from the changelog published on the App Store:

Using the Spotlight search function to find the saved places and those consulted recently on Google Maps.
Saving routes by car, on foot and by bicycle.
Bug fixes.