Facebook is continuing the integration of its private Messenger service with third parties, launching a ground transport hailing service through Uber.
The social network is piloting the tool through a number of individuals in the US, whereby they can request a ride from Uber from within Messenger, rather than switching apps over to Uber.
The idea is that a conversation can be taking place and the user doesn't need to shift away to perform another task on their device.
The existing Uber functionality is then played out within Messenger (find a driver, see where they are on the map, make the payment).
Uber will not be an exclusive partner for the tool, Facebook says, with other car services added during the course of the pilot and if it gets a full roll-out to other countries in due course.
Facebook's product manager, Seth Rosenberg, says the integration is meant to make "transportation as simple as sending a message".

"Technology can make all of our engagements with businesses better, and over the past year Messenger has added integrations with select retailers, household brands and hotels to make your most common and every day business interactions more productive."
Dutch airline KLMrecently added a booking feature for users within Facebook Messenger, with booking confirmation and boarding passes for customers made available via the app by the end of this year.
Hotels have also been encouraged to participate in the testing of the functionality being opened up for developers since it was unveiled at the F8 conference earlier this year.