[jfengel]

I think Uber invented (or at least made widely available) taxi-by-app. Having scores of cab companies, accessed by telephone call, was supremely user-hostile.

If the cab companies had gotten together on an app, they might have shortcut Uber and all of its many dubious practices. They finally are starting to but it's much too late.

[taormina]

Taxi-by-app existed pre-Uber, the innovation was making the taxi actual show up. Austin had the apps, and I would order one, and the taxis would get distracted on the way to my house and pick up other fares, so I couldn't go where I wanted. They had every chance to not be outcompeted by Uber, but they couldn't stop being taxis. And, here we are.

[zelphirkalt]

Not only did taxi by app exist way earlier, it was also wide spread ... in some big countries.

[eastbound]

> the innovation was making the taxi actual show up

Uber regularly doesn’t show up, just playing with “4… 3… 6… minutes left”. I always have to wait half an hour at a certain location, with a message “Just book a few minutes before your trip.”

I’ve had a friend miss his flight because of Uber not showing up!

[rhetocj23]

Im not sure why you got downvoted for that.

Ive noticed similar shenanigans with Uber eats - they are definitely playing around with stuff to increase profitability its clear as day.