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Google is providing free Wi-Fi in Uber vehicles this summer in Philadelphia

Uber, the app-based car service that Google recently sunk $250M into via its Google Ventures investment arm, today announced that its cars in Philadelphia this summer will have free WiFi courtesy of Google. Google also made an announcement on its own blog noting that the initiative is sponsored by Google Apps for Businesses, the online suite of productivity tools that Google hopes users in the back of the new WiFi-equipped Uber vehicles will take advantage of. 

At Google, we value mobility and want to find the best way for our customers to do their work when they’re on the go. That’s why we invested in new infrastructure in Boston to support free public Wifi at South Station last year. And it’s why cars requested through the Uber app in Philadelphia are now outfitted with free Wifi for the summer, compliments of Google Apps for Business. Thousands of entrepreneurs, consultants, restaurateurs and business owners now have another way to help them get work done from anywhere throughout The City of Brotherly Love.

You can look out for the WiFi enabled vehicles starting today through Labor Day, but the service isn’t yet available for the company’s SUVs. Uber also notes that the new Wi-Fi perk is still in experimental stages.

Here’s the fine print from Uber:

THE DETAILS:

  • uberWIFI will be available in Philadelphia starting TODAY through Labor Day.
  • When you request uberWIFI, you will get a Black Car that seats up to 4 people—Wifi is not available for SUV requests.
  • uberWIFI rates are the same as Black Car. Visit our website for details on pricing and a fare quote.
  • uberWIFI is new and experimental. Demand will be high and ETAs may be longer than usual so check the app often to get a sense of availability. Additionally, like with any other hotspot, coverage areas and reliability may vary.

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s weekly Logic Pros series and makes music as one half of Toronto-based Makamachine.