In line with its commitment to deliver devices and services that help Filipinos, Microsoft, through the BizSpark program, also empowers developers and startups in the country to develop apps.
One of the practical apps recently developed is miCab, which aims to help commuters get in touch with taxi drivers within the vicinity to conveniently get a cab with or without the Internet. This application is running on Windows Azure—a flexible, secure, and scalable cloud computing platform provided by Microsoft Philippines to the miCab developers at no cost.
Through BizSpark, miCab was made possible. Now, more people in Cebu, as an initial phase, will no longer find it hard to search for an available cab especially during rush hour. Getting a taxi now is a tap and touch away using miCab on their favourite Android, iOS and, Windows Phone 8 devices. At the moment, more than 70 cab drivers can be reached through the app.
Using GPS technology for the passenger and the taxi driver to accurately locate each other, miCab can work anywhere as it is not fully reliant on the Internet. Using this app is very easy. After downloading it from the Play Store, App Store, or Windows Store, all the passenger needs to do is press the get miCab button. Then, the app processes the request and send this to the taxis within a two-kilometre radius. After this, the app suggests the nearest cab, which is willing to take the request. The app sends confirmation of the cab to the user.
In addition, upon receiving the confirmation, the app will send important details—such as the driver’s names and plate number—to the passenger. Hence, aside from convenience, the app will help reinforce security.
MiCab was launched in Cebu last 6 September. This app is one of the 20 finalists in the concluded IdeaSpace 2013, a program that helps Filipino entrepreneurs develop groundbreaking technologies, and transform these into successful commercial products.
The developers of miCab are Eddie Ybañez, Kenneth Baylosis, and Keith Levi Lumanog.