[amalcon]

Most of the innovation there was in the cell phone[1]. You've been able to order a car by phone in major metros for longer than those have been around. In fact, Uber started off as an app for using those very services.

Props to Uber for execution, but all the pieces were there.

[1]-edit: some in the smartphone, but most in the old "makes calls" cell phones

[phil21]

The older I get the more I realize execution is simply all that matters.

A zillion people had the same basic idea for Uber. They made it a reality, and made it Not Suck(tm).

The user experience prior to Uber for ordering a car via phone was absolutely horrific.

[discardorama]

I've heard it said many times: ideas are a dime-a-dozen, execution is everything.

[nostrademons]

Execution and timing. Uber had a big advantage in being new & shiny just as the market was ready for it. They tried it multiple times and the first few it failed to gain any traction.

[DINKDINK]

>Props to Uber for execution, but all the pieces were there.

Much innovation looks very easy from an ex-post perspective. Putting wheels on a suitcase etc.

[endgame]

I hate wheeled suitcases. If I have to drag it I've packed too much.

[chetanahuja]

Ummm... as a matter of fact, Uber was only a black car service until Lyft (and perhaps others) started P2P service. Uber was a fast follower in that space.