There’s a bit of bad news for people who absolutely loathe bloatware, you know, the apps that come pre-installed on a device even though you have no use whatsoever for them. It has been announced today that starting this summer all new AT&T Android phones will come with the Uber app pre-installed. What’s AT&T getting out of it? The carrier will be one of Uber’s “key providers of new wireless service” in the U.S.
For those who don’t know what Uber is, its a company that allows people to call a private car on-demand using the app. Operating in over 100 cities and 30 countries it offers users with a range of vehicle options that suit their budget. Payment can be made credit card, Google Wallet or PayPal. The U.S. is undoubtedly one of its biggest markets as it operates in more than 60 cities.
Its a major win for Uber. The app will get in front of countless people who may not even know that the service exists. This isn’t the only deal that the company has inked to drive growth. A recent Google Maps update allows users to see how long it will take to reach their destination in an Uber car, and even launch the app from within to call a driver.
Will it make a similar deal with other carriers? That can’t be said for sure. Would AT&T make a similar deal with Uber’s rivals? It may not in the near future. The only thing that’s known for sure is that new Android phone owners on AT&T would have yet another app pre-installed on the device.