Google Updates Google Maps Ride Services With New Features

For you ride-sharing aficionados you may have noticed that Google has been doing all they can to get more and more integration built into Google Maps. It all started last year with the introduction of ride services mode, which added the option to find information from favorite ride sharing service alongside option for walking, driving or public transit.

Over the past year Google has taken that integration to an even greater level. Now offering options for hailing your ride from most of the popular ride sharing services and even cab companies. Today, they are pushing Google Maps integration even further making it even easier for you to book a and pay for your ride directly from Google Maps, on both Android and iOS globally.

With Google's new updates, you'll now see more types of ride options and more actionable information. When you open ride services mode, instead of a long list of ride service providers and ride options, you’ll see the familiar Google map, along with a carousel of ride service providers in your area. You can then tap your preferred provider to see a complete list of ride options and special offers or promotions.

In addition to allowing you to book rides directly from Google Maps, Google is working to allow you to pay directly from within Maps without the further need for each ride sharing company's app. In Uber for instance (once you have the update) all you'll need to do is sign into your existing Uber account (or create one). Then you can book an Uber ride, track your driver on the map, and connect with your driver—all from within the Google Maps app.

Of course while you are passing the time riding with your driver Google hopes that you'll use Google Maps to look at information about your destination while en route. With just a swipe you can see everything about your favorite destination from menus, hours, photso ect.

Yahoo Not Dead After-all

On Monday it was announced that Yahoo's acquisition by Verizon was almost complete. The deal would see Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, co-founder David Filo and others resigning from the company's board and the company being renamed Altaba. A move which many thought would mean that Yahoo would be no longer. Reports from today however have breathed new life into Yahoo as a brand. It now appears that much of what makes Yahoo, well the Yahoo we know, will live on under the Yahoo name.

In their U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing Monday Yahoo said that it will shed almost everything that makes it Yahoo, including its name, when its deal with Verizon closes. This is were things are a bit confusing for some. Like many companies Yahoo is diversified and it made up of two major assets of very differing backgrounds.

The first asset, and most well know by the general public, is their worldwide network of internet portals. This makes up Yahoo.com, Yahoo Mail ect. The second major asset is a 15 percent stake in Chinese internet giant Alibaba. This is in essence what is going to remain of Yahoo Business while Monday's deal will see the company sell its portals, and its brand to Verizon for $4.8b.

Verizon is the expected to merge Yahoo's portal activities with AOL, which it bought in 2015.
In July, just after Verizon announced the Yahoo deal, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong told TechCrunch: "The Yahoo brand will be staying with us for a very long period of time, we'll be investing in it."

In the end, this all means that despite the major issues Yahoo has faced over the past couple years with several major data breaches and major ups and downs with CEO Marissa Mayer. The company you most likely know Yahoo for being will still be alive and kicking. So you won't be in danger of loosing access to your Yahoo Mail account, or any of your favorite services they offer. At least not for now!