Seems like it’s the cab apps day on the blog today! I was searching for similar services to Uber in the region and came across this article on the launching of Careem in Beirut.
Careem is yet another cab app that connects passengers to drivers and works exactly the same way as Uber, except that I felt like the booking process is smoother in Uber. What remains now though is knowing which one has the best fares and service.
Careem is available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Blackberry.
Uber is a on-demand car service based in San Francisco, California that connects passengers with drivers in over 140 cities through a mobile app allowing customers to order a ride, track their driver’s location, and finally pay using their credit card.
They have already been operating in several cities across the middle east, and they just announced today on their blog expanding to Beirut with Pierre Rabbat and Daniella Rahme being the first two to try their service.
I downloaded their app (Available on both iOS and Android) and found it quite easy to use. You first need a couple of minutes to create an account and verify your mobile number and you’re good to go. To order a ride, you choose the vehicle type you want and mark the location from which the driver should expect picking you up from and wait. When you reach your destination, your credit card will be automatically billed with no need to tip or carry cash.
I haven’t tried using the service yet so I can’t tell how good are their fares compared to local taxi companies and shared taxi service. However, they’re offering a couple of promo codes one for $20 (“UberLovesBeirut”) and the other for $30 (“rabbat“) which I guess is enough for us to assess the service.
Thanks @Chemali
You’re definitely aware of “I am Alive” app which helps Lebanese people let their loved ones know they’re safe by sending a tweet saying “I am still alive! #Lebanon #Latestbombing” through a single tap every time there’s an explosion.
Just two days ago, Sandra Hassan and Myra El Mir, the developers of this satiric app, released the VIP version of it intended for politicians to help them automatically issue condemnation statements when a bombing occurs!
Overwhelmed by the number of bombings in Lebanon? Can’t keep up with the demands to issue statements to the public?
Now you can easily tweet your reactions to yet another bombing in Lebanon.No need to bother your communication crew with trying to come up with a new reaction to the security related events, heck you can just fire them all. This app does it all for you!
The responses provided for you have been designed by our team of highly specialized political analysts who have scourged over the stream of condemnations that have already been issued and synthesized the most effective and up to date reaction statements just for you.
It’s a fast and reliable tool. And what’s more; you can tag one of your friends in your tweet!
And if there’s a statement you think should be added to the repertoire, we’re waiting to hear from you. Just tweet at us @lebvip
I am Alive VIP is available for download on Google Play.
You can of course follow the Pope in Lebanon on all Lebanese TV station during his 3 days visit here, but when you’re on the move you can download this iPhone application called “LB PAPAL Visit” developed by Born Interactive to get the latest news.
Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit Lebanon for the first time ever during his 7 year pontificate.
On the occasion of His apostolic Visit to Lebanon, lbpapalvisit was created! It is an app that provides you with an inside look into the historic visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Lebanon on the 14th, 15th and the 16th of September 2012.
This app is a must-have if you wish to receive an updated schedule of the Papal visit, as well as news updates and notifications regarding his visit sent directly to your phone.
lbpapalvisit also allows you to:
– Gain access to Pope Benedict XVI’s biography
– Read the latest news regarding the Papal visit
– Browse through the picture gallery
– Read the memorable speeches
The visit’s program is also available here.
As for the road that will be closed during these 3 days, you can download this Internal Security Forces communiqué in relation with closed roads, or simply check Abir’s post about that matter.
