Is Uber possible through an iPad?

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

We leave tomorrow for a week in NYC followed by a week in Boston. We don't have smart phones, but I was wondering if an Uber connection can be made through an iPad using our dumb phone numbers if the guy needed to call us. Does anyone know if this works? Or does the App recognize that the device is not a cell phone if I try to load it?

Ken555 · May 1, 2016

Never tried it, but it's super easy to just install and test. Why don't you try?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

tompalm · May 1, 2016

There is an uber ap for iPhone. All you need to do is download that ap by changing it from iPad to iPhone. When you create an account for uber, you can list your phone number. So if for any reason they decide to call, that should not be a problem.

SMHarman · May 1, 2016

Is this a wifi or cell radio iPad?

dioxide45 · May 1, 2016

SMHarman said:
Is this a wifi or cell radio iPad?

I was going to ask the same. If the airport has Wifi it would work. If not and it is a wifi only iPad, then it wouldn't.

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

We would not be using it at the airport. Transportation there is covered. Thinking more along the lines of being out somewhere and needing a ride that might be cheaper than a taxi ride. I'm having mobility issues and even with the public transportation available in these two cities, a car ride might better suit us in a semi-emergency. I pay $15 monthly for AT&T connection on iPad that we rarely use since wifi is free most everywhere, so I assume we'd have a connection to be able to use it on the street if we needed to.

DeniseM · May 1, 2016

Last week we were in Las Vegas, and I went into a convenience store to buy some coffee. They were out, so I asked directions to the closest place I could buy coffee.

When I got outside, another customer came up to me and said he was an Uber driver, and did I want a ride. I thought it was odd that he approached me. I've never used Uber, so maybe that is normal.

I did not accept his offer - my mom taught me not to get into cars with strangers, and I wanted to walk and get some fresh air.

am1 · May 1, 2016

Hopefully uber does not allow this. It is suppose to work with smartphones, not ipads, computers etc.

DeniseM · May 1, 2016

am1 said:
Hopefully uber does not allow this. It is suppose to work with smartphones, not ipads, computers etc.

Why would you care if it can be used on multiple devices? :shrug:

dioxide45 · May 1, 2016

am1 said:
Hopefully uber does not allow this. It is suppose to work with smartphones, not ipads, computers etc.

Arguably, an iPad could be considered the same as an iPhone, just bigger. It is supposed to work with whichever device a person can download the app to.

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

I typed Uber into the App Store on my iPad. It immediately offered me "Uber for iPad" so I thought I was on the right track. First thing showing among all the little icons that popped up was UberGuest, then there were some taxi apps, an UberGuide, and a bunch more stuff that basically looked like junk apps. So I figured UberGuest was closest, thinking it was some sort of downgraded app since I wasn't on a phone. Nope. That's a lodging app. So I guess the answer is that Uber access is indeed only available as a phone app.

dioxide45 · May 1, 2016

clifffaith said:
I typed Uber into the App Store on my iPad. It immediately offered me "Uber for iPad" so I thought I was on the right track. First thing showing among all the little icons that popped up was UberGuest, then there were some taxi apps, an UberGuide, and a bunch more stuff that basically looked like junk apps. So I figured UberGuest was closest, thinking it was some sort of downgraded app since I wasn't on a phone. Nope. That's a lodging app. So I guess the answer is that Uber access is indeed only available as a phone app.

I thought you could download any iPhone app to the iPad? Might not be optimal, but it should work?

bastroum · May 1, 2016

UBER works on the iPad the same way it works on the iPhone.

buzglyd · May 1, 2016

If it's a Wifi only pad there is no GPS chip.

You'd have to be on wifi and manually enter your location

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

UBER works on the iPad the same way it works on the iPhone.

buzglyd said:
If it's a Wifi only pad there is no GPS chip.

You'd have to be on wifi and manually enter your location

I am going to look one more time when I go back upstairs. But I did not see a real Uber app first time I looked.

I think I must have a GPS chip because I regularly get asked if whatever I'm looking at can use my "current location" and if I say yes it knows where I am.

b2bailey · May 1, 2016

I'm not sure why..but I believe Uber only works on a device which has a cellphone number attached to it. I know that it won't work on my kindle fire. It does work on my low end android phone.

am1 · May 1, 2016

DeniseM said:
Why would you care if it can be used on multiple devices?

As it is a smartphone app. It makes it safer then people just picking up people where ever and however they want. Like in your story.

I really believe it is a great idea as long as the drivers and passengers are approved. I am not in a situation to be a uber driver but last week I picked up friends and dropped them off at MCO. Surely it is good if I drop someone else off before picking my friend up and pick someone else off after dropping my friends off.

I just do not see or am happy that the company has such a high valuation. But that is business. I am happy that this is devaluing taxi medallions.

DeniseM · May 1, 2016

How is it less safe, if I book a ride using the App on a tablet or computer? There are lots of Apps that can be used on multiple devices.

am1 · May 1, 2016

DeniseM said:
How is it less safe, if I book a ride using the App on a tablet or computer? There are lots of Apps that can be used on multiple devices.

A phone number is attached on a smartphone.

Either way as a driver I would have concerns. Uber should do more to approve passengers.

am1 · May 1, 2016

Plus a smartphone has gps capabilities. Makes it safer for both.

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

OK, I've checked again. There is no iPad app, in spite of the fact that when I type in Uber in the search box it gives me a list of suggestions, one of which is "Uber for iPads". Thought to check Lyft also, although I don't know how widespread they are. Nothing comes up. So taxi it is if we get in a situation where I can't walk or stand comfortably.

am1 · May 1, 2016

you may be better off to buy a smartphone then to get in and pay for a taxi.

clifffaith · May 1, 2016

We pay $100 per year for each of our dumb phones. I know eventually we'll get a smart phone, but so far have managed to see no real need for one. Aside from the fees associated with smart phones, we are in a dead zone at home where we MIGHT get reception with our T Mobile phones if the atmospheric conditions are right -- and T Mobile is the only carrier that seems to work here. Always funny to have worker bees and contractors onsite walking around with their phone arm in the air trying to catch a signal. Obviously if we're home we'd use the landline, but having a more expensive phone and then not being able to use it at home if the power goes out just isn't appealing.

SmithOp · May 1, 2016

Uber works fine on my wifi only ipad, you have to use the iphone version though, its the only app put out by Uber. The ipad versions are third party helper apps, not Uber.

Location services may not be on some older ipads, it will show as the little arrow in the top right. It found me at home on wifi only.

Sent from my iPad Mini 4 using Tapatalk

x3 skier · May 1, 2016

DeniseM said:
Last week we were in Las Vegas, and I went into a convenience store to buy some coffee. They were out, so I asked directions to the closest place I could buy coffee.

When I got outside, another customer came up to me and said he was an Uber driver, and did I want a ride. I thought it was odd that he approached me. I've never used Uber, so maybe that is normal.

I did not accept his offer - my mom taught me not to get into cars with strangers, and I wanted to walk and get some fresh air.

I think you avoided a very dodgy situation.

Cheers

Is Uber possible through an iPad?

clifffaith

Ken555

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tompalm

SMHarman

dioxide45

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clifffaith

DeniseM

am1

DeniseM

dioxide45

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clifffaith

dioxide45

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bastroum

buzglyd

clifffaith

b2bailey

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am1

DeniseM

am1

am1

clifffaith

am1

clifffaith

SmithOp

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x3 skier

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