Connected Economy: Uber Moves Closer to Super App

Today in the connected economy, Uber takes another step toward becoming a super app by allowing people to book flights, train tickets, rental cars and hotel rooms. Plus, Google allows travelers to use Maps to find the cheapest toll routes, IBM launches real-time artificial intelligence (AI) for transaction processing, and FIS works with Circle to help businesses accept USD Coin.

Uber Adds Booking for Flights, Trains, Hotels

Uber is offering new travel booking options for customers in the United Kingdom as part of a strategic push to become a national and international travel super app. The United States mobility giant has begun adding the option to book flights, train tickets, hotel rooms and car rentals, with the U.K. serving as a pilot for a larger rollout. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi began hinting at the move to make Uber a super app when he took over the tech giant in 2018, although the pandemic put those plans on hold.

Google Maps Gets Toll Update

Google has made it easier to use Google Maps with a series of updates to the feature, including details about tolling prices. Drivers who wish to travel a toll-free journey can still use Maps to find those routes. Users just need to tap the three dots at the top right corner of directions in Maps to find out their route options and choose “Avoid tolls.”

IBM Launches Real-Time AI for Transaction Processing

IBM has debuted what it called the next-generation system that employs an integrated AI accelerator to detect and prevent fraud. Dubbed IBM z16, the feature was created to let clients analyze real-time credit card, healthcare and financial transactions, while also guarding against threats that could crack encryption technologies.

FIS, Circle Team up to Offer USDC Acceptance

FinTech FIS said its Worldpay business will be the first merchant acquirer in the world to give merchants the ability to receive settlements in USD Coin (USDC). This is happening through a partnership with Circle, a FinTech that is the sole issuer of USDC. FIS said this partnership will help cryptocurrency-native and traditional businesses build settlement and treasury strategies that meld with their preferred currency for doing business.

i2c, PingPong Team up on Cross-Border eCommerce

Digital payments and banking company i2c is collaborating with Chinese FinTech unicorn PingPong to offer cross-border eCommerce payment solutions to business owners. The partnership will involve PingPong using i2c’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform to bring its commercial credit services to new regions, Europe and Hong Kong SAR in particular. The two companies said this will give merchants access to instant payouts and reduced transaction fees.

LocoNav, Locus Team up to Automate Supply Chains

A pair of Indian firms — fleet technology company LocoNav and last-mile solutions provider Locus — have launched a partnership to automate supply chain operations. Locus uses machine learning, deep tech and proprietary algorithms to deal with complicated last-mile issues, such as traffic delays, accidents or thefts, as well as excessive fuel consumption resulting from idling or speeding — all of which can have a negative effect on a delivery business.