Uber Delivers a Windows 10 Universal App for PCs, Tablets and Phones

In one of the first high-profile tests of the universal app platform outside of Redmond, Uber has delivered a version of its app that works on Windows 10 PCs and tablets as well as phones.

As an added incentive, all new users on Windows in the U.S. will receive their first Uber ride free, up to a value $20. To redeem this offer, enter the code MSFTWIN10 in the Promotions menu in the app.

Uber has had a Windows Phone 8.1 app for some time, but this app utilizes the universal app platform to expand availability to Windows 10 PCs and tablets, as well as Windows 10 Mobile phones. Or it will: I don’t see it in the Windows Store on my Windows 10 PC. I’m told that it’s on the way. (For now, you can grab the new app on Window 10 Mobile, and it will work full-screen on external displays with Continuum for the 3 people out there that still think that makes any sense at all.)

While you’re waiting, don’t forget you can use Uber with Cortana in Windows 10 already. You just need to enable it first in Connected Accounts. That is, you don’t need this app, even if you do want to start an Uber ride from your PC.

Here’s what’s new.

Cortana support. Say “Hey Cortana, get me an UberX to the airport” (or whatever) on your Windows 10 device to trigger a new ride.

Desktop support. Uber says that “the power of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP)” lets it deploy a single app that works across PCs, tablets and phones. But…

You still need a phone. You cannot complete an Uber ride without a phone. UPDATE: While this information did comes from Microsoft, it has amended it somewhat to read, “you can use your phone if you would like to contact your driver by call or text.” In other words, you can technically complete an Uber ride without a phone. But virtually everyone using this service will in fact want to have a phone handy. Which they will. –Paul

Live updates on the live tile. If you pin the Uber tile to Start, it will update with the estimated time it will take for your Uber to arrive, so you don’t even need to open the app.

You can—or will soon be able to—download the Windows 10 version of Uber from the Windows Store. (This link will work now on Windows 10 Mobile only, I believe.)