Handset and electronics manufacturer Micromax has tied up with Uber where it will allow people to book a cab on Micromax phones without having to download the app. Uber will now be a part of Micromax’s AROUND platform which aggregates popular services in a native app without the need to download the app separately.
Uber’s service will work in the same manner as on the dedicated app. To book a ride, users need to tap on Uber icon in the AROUND platform and click on available rides from the drop down menu. As normally, customers need to enter a destination and proceed to booking. Users will be also able to link their Uber account to AROUND platform, get ETA and fare estimate for Uber rides
Most recently, Micromax has partnered with Oyo Rooms to make exclusive deals available on their handsets and integrate the online hotel booking app through the AROUND launcher.
BGR India reports that the deal with Uber was an API integration and that Micromax does not have any such partnership with rival Ola. However, customer could book Ola cabs from meta travel services aggregator Ixigo. The report also pointed out that when AROUND was launched, it offered food options from Zomato, shopping deals from Scandid, travel deals from Ixigo, and cab options from the likes of Ola, Taxifor Sure.
Native payments app with Udio
Last year, Micromax and Transerv entered into an agreement to integrate the Udio wallet in their phones. This would give Micromax users a native payments solution for financial and social transactions including sending or requesting money, splitting bills, sending gifts to friends, and making payments through phone integrations. Note that Udio allows customers to load wallets with cash at nearly 100,000 offline centres across the country as part of their deal.
China plans?
In June, Micromax planned to start selling handsets in China next year, along with raising money in the next two years through either private investors or by going public. Note that Micromax’s share of the Indian smartphone market declined to 14.1% from 18% in Q4FY15 as compared to the same quarter the previous year, as reported by IDC.
