【1993 Archives】

Back in April993 Archives Uber was scrambling to provide something for its users who were no longer ordering ride-shares because, well, many of us were stuck at home. The service quickly added a delivery service called Uber Connect for users to send essential supplies and items to nearby friends and family, but only in a few U.S. cities and other countries.

Now, as another COVID surge hits the U.S., Uber Connect is available for sending (and receiving) packages in thousands of new locations. It's arriving in 2,400 U.S. cities this week, just in time for the holidays as many places shut down again.

It'll be available in cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Charleston, Columbus, Detroit, Fort Myers-Naples, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Nashville, Richmond, Portland, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Tucson.

Uber Connect is now front and center in the app. If you're in an Uber Connect location, you'll see a "Package" option next to the "Ride" and "Food" buttons. The package icon is Uber Connect.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The new Uber homepage with less of a focus on rides. Credit: uber

For sending out a holiday gift or a box of chocolate chip cookies, you put in your recipient's address and contact info. When a delivery driver arrives at your location, you meet at the curb and put the items in the trunk to keep it a contactless experience. On the other end the recipient is notified when the package arrives if they have the Uber app. You can still deliver something to someone without Uber, it just might take a bit more coordination.

The driver has contact information for both the giver and receiver if there's an issue, and everything can be tracked on the Uber app. It's similar to the map that comes up when you order a car.

SEE ALSO: Food delivery companies offer option to leave orders at your door because of coronavirus

For a not-so-subtle nudge, Uber also has a "receive a package" feature to request a delivery from someone. This could be used as a present request, but it's probably more helpful for someone quarantining.

So even if you're not ordering many ride-hails these days, you can still use the Uber app for dropping off gifts and supplies.

Topics Uber

• Digital Culture
• Life
• Science
• Entertainment
• Deals
• Games
• Tech
• Social Good

• I'm a college professor. My advice to young people who feel hooked on tech
• Americans now use social media as their primary news source, research shows
• Best earbuds deal: Get the Anker Soundcore P20i under $20
• How to unblock Redtube for free in Texas
• The internet is talking like Kevin from 'The Office' now
• Americans now use social media as their primary news source, research shows
• 5 Adobe PDF Reader Alternatives That Do More for Free
• How to Use Intel PresentMon for Benchmarking and Testing
• Nintendo Switch 2 preorder just days away, per leak
• Best Beats deal: Save over $50 on Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

• Black market ceviche could mean jail for single mom
• WTF is up with 'New York Magazine's' electoral map made of naked people
• Kelly Clarkson takes playful jab at Justin Guarini to lighten Election Day mood
• This woman just became the first Somali
• Confused senator congratulates Kate McKinnon instead of Hillary Clinton
• Topless women removed while protesting at Trump's expected polling place
• Donald Trump gets booed on his way to vote
• Australia joins the Stephen Hawking
• The most depressing photos from Clinton's election night party
• America, we need to fix those voting machines ASAP

• Best robot vacuum deal: Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop at record
• Best Apple deal: Save $80 on AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon
• 50 Years of Video Games
• GPU Pricing Update, July 2023: Flash Sales FTW!
• Q&A with tendercare founder and CEO Shauna Sweeney
• 50 Years of Video Games
• Magically Master Your Mouse Movement
• Best MacBook deal: Save $150 on 2025 Apple MacBook Air
• Best Kindle Unlimited deal: Get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for 99 cents
• 5 Adobe PDF Reader Alternatives That Do More for Free

• Testing Windows 10 Performance Before and After the Meltdown Flaw Emergency Patch
• 50 Years of Video Games
• Going Ergonomic: How to Make Your Computing Life Better
• AI adoption has reached 40% among U.S. workers
• Gods of War
• Best smart scale deal: Get 26% off the Renpho smart scale at Amazon ahead of Prime Day
• Love Island 2025 livestream: How to watch Love Island UK for free
• Computer Tips & Tricks Everyone Should Know
• Shop the Shark FlexStyle for 20% off at Amazon
• Canada vs. Honduras 2025 livestream: Watch Concacaf Gold Cup for free