Uber Helicopter Rides Leave Lyft and Taxi Behind - http://clapway.com/2016/01/18/uber-helicopters-rides-leave-lyft-and-taxi-behind-123/

Airbus Group SE is teaming up with Uber Technologies Inc. so that people can hitch a ride on a helicopter during this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Airbus’s H125 and H130 helicopters will be taking passengers on-demand.

Sundance Film Festival Witnesses A Great Partnership Between Uber and Airbus

Sundance Film Festival will be taking place in Park City, Utah as of January 21. Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, explained that the collaboration hopes to bring helicopters to a bigger audience. They didn’t share details on how much the ride would cost.

Airbus, based in Toulouse, makes everything from commercial airplanes to military transporters. Uber also has its hand on a series of different kinds of transportations. Uber France offers rides on motorcycles while in India people can hitch rides on rickshaws or ride boats in Istanbul. Airbus has been suffering poor sales in helicopters, which has impacted their profits. This collaboration gives Uber one more extension and gives Airbus the chance to steal the spotlight.

Airbus Brings in $150 Million to its Silicon Valley Branch

Innovation is a big deal for Airbus. Their hope is to bring some of it in through their partnership with NASA, but the French company is also investing $150 million in their Silicon Valley branch for promising aerospace startups around the globe.

Meanwhile, Taxi Still Want Taxi-Hailing Services Out of the Game

Taxi used to be the predominant mode of public transport besides buses and trains. Uber and Lyft have inevitably threatened their territory. Many taxi lobbyists are protesting both companies because it takes away from the jobs of many. The truth is, Uber and Lyft are cleaner and safer. The companies have expressed that they have full intention of bringing in self-driving cars when they become available. This will cause yet another revolution when it comes to taxi-hailing services. It will make them greener and even safer.

Uber definitely has a bigger lead in the game. They have brought in cars, boats, motorcycles and helicopters to the game. Lyft might find a way to one-up Uber from this. For now, it’s safe to say Sundance Film Festival is going to be amazing.

Uber Helicopter Rides Leave Lyft and Taxi Behind

Uber, Facebook Messenger, StubHub and United Airlines Will Destroy Lyft - http://clapway.com/2016/01/13/uber-facebook-messenger-stubhub-and-united-airlines-will-destroy-lyft-123/

Uber reached one billion passengers over the holidays, and to celebrate, it’s partnering up with Facebook Messenger, StubHub and United Airlines. So long, Lyft!

Uber Brings in Trip Experiences

The personalized cab service is on the lookout to make riding more fun, especially since a lot of customers use Uber for longer rides. As such, Uber brought in third party app developers to send notifications and other content to passengers upon getting permission from the riders.

This is the first major update the app has released since the Ride Request service update launched back in March 2015. Trip Experiences brings in music playlists that are completed exactly by the time you reach your destination. It also gives users news subjects on different categories. It also helps you look into the restaurant or bar you’re on your way to, offering honest reviews. It even allows you to set reminders.

Uber Tramples Lyft

Valued at $62.5 billion, Uber is really breaking ground. Now, it’s spreading out beyond being just a car services. Lyft has given Uber a lot of grief in terms of competition, and these features put it a step ahead. The service has even tested food delivery services in the US. Allegedly, they are now working on acquiring and operating self-driving cars.

By bringing in third-party apps, Uber takes things one step further. They are putting in full efforts in their partnerships with Facebook Messenger, StubHub and United Airlines, and more brands will be joining them throughout 2016. Riding a Uber is now more productive, more efficient and more enjoyable.

Riders Might Get Annoyed By Ads

Although users might find this new Trip Experiences tool useful, advertisers are going to jump at every opportunity to target riders. This may annoy some customers into opting to not receive the services, so all riders should be aware that there is ad content in this feature.

As the update rolls out, it will certainly be interesting to see how Lyft and other competitors will retaliate. Will Lyft also decide to partner up with third party app developers? These relationships can be short lived as we’ve seen with Facebook and Twitter. For this specific service, it could work out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HwWXlmNpL4

 

Uber, Facebook Messenger, StubHub and United Airlines Will Destroy Lyft

Ten Reasons why Lyft is Better Than Uber - http://clapway.com/2016/01/12/ten-reasons-why-lyft-is-better-than-uber/

There Are Ten Reasons why Lyft is Better Than Uber

REASONS 1 AND 2: COST AND PRIME TIME COST

The cost for Lyft is very convenient for their consumers. Usually, a ride from them will start at only $1, and then from there it will be $1.50 for every mile. Lyft also has their Prime Time cost which comes in effect when users ask for rides during a busy time. This will drastically increase the price of the ride. However, Lyft makes this easier to notice than Uber does.

REASONS 3 AND 4: SAFETY AND DRIVER BENEFITS

Lyft makes sure that their drivers are qualified and ready for the job. They have to have the most current insurance and have a valid drivers license to work for them. Not only that but they are also required to pass a criminal background test, a car inspection, and a DMV background check. Also, they offer their drivers many exclusive benefits. These benefits include gym memberships, discounts on new car purchases, and much more.

REASONS 5 AND 6: LEGALITY AND RIDING EXPERIENCE

Lyft is a legit company that operates their services legally. However, if you want to be safe then you can keep a copy of your certification. Lyft makes this document much easier to find than Uber does. The riding experience in Lyft cars is also a little more exciting than in Uber cars. It feels like more of an adventure and not so much of a professional environment.

REASONS 7 AND 8: POPULARITY AND SERVICE

The service that Lyft provides makes them the best choice for your destination. The drivers treat their passengers as friends rather than as customers. This makes the ride much more enjoyable, and it makes the passenger feel right at home. The way that they operate their service makes them a little more popular when it comes to enjoyment.

REASONS 9 AND 10: CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND THE APP

No matter how good a company is, they must have good customer support. Lyft indeed has that as they advise their customers to get on their Facebook group and post their questions. This allows the company to help out their customers with great speed. Lastly, the app that they provide is very user-friendly. Users can request a ride, see how much a ride will cost them in real-time, and much more.

Ten Reasons why Lyft is Better Than Uber

Toyota, Ford, Google and Uber Battle For Self-Driving Crown - http://clapway.com/2016/01/08/toyota-ford-google-and-uber-battle-for-self-driving-crown-123/

The race for the best self-driving car is on, and it’s going to be a wild ride from here until 2020. Toyota is in full gear to design the best autonomous driving technology possible alongside artificial intelligence. Ford is teaming up with Google to upgrade the Google self-driving car. Renault-Nissan just announced their intention to release 10 self-driving cars by 2020. Needless to say, it’s going to be an exciting 4 years.

Toyota, Self-Driving Cars and Artificial Intelligence

At the Consumer Electronics Show, Toyota announced that it had hired staff from prominent robotics teams (including Google’s) to develop artificial intelligence and advanced robotics. The company has its eyes set on developing robots that can assist people at home. Although this is somewhat withdrawn from their better-known line of business, it’s not like there aren’t benefits for their cars as well. Inevitably, Toyota will find themselves wanting to design their own autonomous cars alongside the development of advanced AI and home robots.

Ford and Google Bring the Google Self-Driving Car to the Consumer Market

The Google Self-Driving Car has been boasting about crossing milestones of total distance driven, and they just took the next step. The company recently announced a partnership with Ford to possibly develop a self-driving car for the consumer market. Ford, who had a very poor year in terms of sales in 2015, seems like it will take full advantage of the joint venture. There aren’t many details available on the projects they will pursue, but it will likely be as exciting as anything Google partakes in can be.

Even Uber And Lyft Will Be Employing Self-Driving Cars

Many car makers have announced plans for self-driving vehicles in the next 5-10 years. These include Apple, Google, Toyota, Volkswagen, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and even Amazon. And naturally, companies that benefit from these announcements are making some declarations of their own. Uber has expressed that it will employ autonomous cars as soon as they are available on the market. This is a natural step, although it has received a lot of criticism.

The truth is that self-driving cars are the future. There’s no way they can be stopped from getting made or widespread. Self-driving cars cut costs for companies and buyers, and although it may cut a few jobs, it is undoubtedly the safest option to avoid accidents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsaES–OTzM

Toyota, Ford, Google and Uber Battle For Self-Driving Crown

Google, Mercedes-Benz Self-Driving Cars Cut Uber and Lyft Jobs - http://clapway.com/2016/01/07/google-mercedes-benz-self-driving-cars-cut-uber-jobs-123/

Uber and Lyft brought a big change to the transportation industry, offering a cheap alternative and thousands of jobs to basically the whole world. With the inception of self-driving cars out of Google and Mercedes-Benz, things could take a drastic turn.

Uber and Lyft Will Cut All the Jobs They Brought

Driverless car technology is the new trend. There’s no denying it. This is naturally going to be implemented to all parts of the automotive industry. In the future, we will not only own driverless cars but also ride driverless buses, trains, and cabs. Uber and Lyft, who sold most of their impact on creating jobs, might end up ripping apart everything they created.

Self-Driving Cars are The Logical Next Step

This has been met with a lot of criticism from currently employed drivers. Many have been quoted as having felt betrayed by their employers. Lyft has made big announcements regarding self-driving technology. It has just sealed a huge partnership with General Motors to one day launch driverless cabs. Uber is naturally going to take similar measures eventually.

Lyft and Uber Going Driverless Shouldn’t Surprise Anyone

One of the reasons why prices are how they are with Uber and Lyft is because riders pay for the ride and the driver. Taking the driver out of the equation lowers the cost of a ride, which makes riding these cabs cheaper than owning a car on the long run.

Security is also something that the concept of driverless cabs has in their favor. Having no driver means no risk of reckless driving and drivers breaching certain laws. It’s just a more organized approach. This also means that eventually, both startups will be able to have cars on the road 24/7 no matter what, and they don’t need a salary.

Uber, Lyft, Mercedes-Benz and Google Still Need Human Hands

The truth is that this is the next logical step for the technology. If everyone’s going driverless, drivers will inevitably lose their jobs. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other related jobs that can’t be taking. Because driverless cars are machines, they need to be handled by human hands. Regardless of how smart the technology is, it needs human handling to a certain degree.

The hands behind the technology Google self-driving car, the future Mercedes-Benz autonomous car are human. While it is not as easy or convenient a job as driving around, there’s no denying that this is just where the technology is taking us.

From a business standpoint, drivers shouldn’t be surprised by these announcements. General Motors, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Kia are all venturing into the self-driving car industry, and companies that benefit from these corporations must follow along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUWbODWBOSg

Google, Mercedes-Benz Self-Driving Cars Cut Uber and Lyft Jobs

Uber App for Windows 10 is Officially Here - http://clapway.com/2015/12/10/uber-app-for-windows-10-is-officially-here/

Uber might have just found a way to make their driving service even easier for their customers. The product team at Uber recently announced that they are unveiling their app on the Windows 10 operating system. The Uber app for Windows 10 will give some new features to the previous one.

UBER APP FOR WINDOWS 10 FEATURES

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, new feature that this Uber app for Windows 10 will implement is Cortana. Cortana is a virtual reality assistant that makes life much easier for people. The product team mentions how all the user has to do is ask Cortana to deliver a Uber car and specify where to deliver it. This is a very convenient way to hook yourself up with a ride. They also stated that this app for the Windows 10 OS is the first desktop version of Uber. They implemented a live update feature on the start menu as well. This will allow users to see how long their Uber car will take to get to their destination.

UBER APP FOR WINDOWS 10 CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE WINDOWS STORE

This app is currently available on the Windows Store. This is a cost-free app and should be downloaded by anybody looking for driving assistance. Uber continues to make their service easier to use for their customers. Previously this year they announced that they were implementing a new feature to make it easier for their customers to see what car is theirs. Now with this, Uber has practically succeeded in making their platform as simple as it could get.

UBER ALSO OFFERING A FREE RIDE

On top of releasing their new Uber app for Windows 10, they also announced a sweet deal for their customers. They state that they will be offering customers their first ride free through the Windows 10 app. The offer code MSFTWIN10 must be entered in the Promotions tab to do this, says the company.

Uber App for Windows 10 is Officially Here

Uber Could Deliver Medical Marijuana - http://clapway.com/2015/11/18/uber-could-deliver-medical-marijuana123/

Given the healthy trends Uber has been following by delivering flu shots to riders, celebrating National Cat Day as part as their UberHEALTH campaign. If marijuana is legalized under Federal Law, could Uber start delivering medical marijuana to riders in the future?

Legalizing Medical Marijuana and Recreational: Could it Happen in 2016?

Legalizing Medical Marijuana and Recreational: Could it Happen in 2016?

With the presidential debates drawing to a close and candidates being officially chosen soon, one of the most asked questions concerns the legalization of marijuana in the United States. Recreational and medical marijuana is already legal in countries like Spain, Uruguay, Colombia and the Netherlands, and in the US it is legal for personal and commercial use in Colorado, Washington and Alaska. Could the next step be nationwide legalization?

If it is, an upcoming celebration of UberHEALTH could be delivering a couple grams of medical marijuana as part of the campaign, which looks to spread good health to all riders.

A Nod to Good Health from Uber

A Nod to Good Health from Uber

Uber has been wanting to extend their services beyond on-demand transportation, and we could see the day that they deliver less conventional drugs. This is an interesting angle, by celebrating campaigns such as UberHEALTH, because it means that the company has many other ambulant services to offer, like food delivery and kitten delivery. Medical marijuana would surely make an interesting addition to the mix.

Uber Could Deliver Medical Marijuana

Lyft is Cheap and Drivers are Paid Cheaply, Too - http://clapway.com/2015/11/16/lyft-is-cheap-and-drivers-are-paid-cheaply-too123/

In the argument of which is cheaper among all taxi app services, it’s no secret that Lyft beats all others out, with rates incomparable to Uber and Sidecar.

The Phenomena of Lyft And Uber Bring A Different Kind of Freelancing to the Plate

Services like Lyft have brought freelance working into the mainstream, but are they really the future employment? The truth is, Lyft and Uber are not platforms that can serve as full time jobs; even Uber’s president himself stated that most Uber drivers use the service to make some extra cash on the side or as a part time job to supplement their income.

Freelancing Remains Only a Supplemental Gig, Not A Full-Time One

It’s obvious that platforms like Lyft didn’t start as full time positions, as the service is controlled by the drivers themselves. The number of drivers for Lyft and Uber are collectively nearly a million people who make a few trips per month at least, but fact remains that most of these drivers use the service as a part time job to juggle with school or at nights to have some extra money.

In other Words, Freelancing is Still not As Profitable as It Should Be

While the idea that Lyft and Uber bring to the table is attractive: freelancing offers employment at the drivers’ schedule and in widely populated cities like Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco, being a driver can be proliferous. However, the rate at which these drivers are actually paid resonate exactly with the work of any freelancer, and the limitations are starting to escalate.

In other words, Lyft and Uber are cheaper options to cabs, but their drivers are cheaply paid, too.

Lyft is Cheap and Drivers are Paid Cheaply, Too

Uber to Launch Uber TomTom Navigation - http://clapway.com/2015/11/12/uber-to-launch-uber-tomtom-navigation123/

Uber’s long search for an exclusive navigation system might start to come to a close as it welcomes Uber TomTom navigation. After losing out to BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi on the purchase of Nokia’s HERE Maps, TomTom has stepped up to the plate to offer the taxi service its services, thus giving life to Uber TomTom.

Uber TomTom Adds to Google, iOS Maps Options

As one of the firm’s investors, Google has been a go-to for Uber navigation, along with other services like Waze and iOS Maps. Now, Uber TomTom will offer exclusive maps and traffic data through the 300 worldwide cities that Uber currently services. Uber TomTom may not bring much of a difference to riders, but there is a possibility that Uber TomTom brings the truly fastest route available.

Uber drivers often have a preferred navigation system, and in some cases riders have their own as well, but the option of Uber TomTom may bring comfort to customers who know a thing or two about hardware navigation systems.

Uber has been acquiring mapping tech and staff from Microsoft

In addition to acquiring Uber TomTom, Uber has been acquiring mapping tech and staff from Microsoft, even using Microsoft’s Bing cars to gather street-level footage. Uber is also in the works to develop self-driving cars, as this past May the company acquired robotics talent from Carnegie Mellon University. It’s also leased a 53,000 sq foot facility in Pittsburg for research and development.

 

Uber to Launch Uber TomTom Navigation

Apple Car Could Beat Out Google Self-Driving Car - http://clapway.com/2015/11/05/apple-car-could-beat-out-google-self-driving-car123/

Steve Jobs considered the concept of an Apple Car as early as 2008, and just because it couldn’t happen in his lifetime, it doesn’t mean it won’t. With the release of Google’s self driving car, and rumors of Apple rolling out an electric car as early as 2019, it’s fair to pose the question: If Jobs had started working on the Apple Car project, would it be better than Google’s Self Driving Car, the Tesla, or even Uber today?

flickr.com

Jobs apparently planned the design of an iCar’s dashboard and seats after the release of the first iPhone. The project would make it a fueled car, since electric cars were neither attainable nor a trend, much less self-driving ones. Today, however, Apple is rumored to be working on a secret project at a place called “SG5” in Sunnyvale, CA, under the guise of the shell company SixtyEight Research to develop the very first Apple Car. Apparently, Jobs’s dreams lay in building TV sets and cameras long before his focus rested on the iPhone.

The secret project is rumored to have a ship date of 2019 for its first electric car project, though it’s not expected to be a self-driving vehicle, courtesy of a team of up to 1,800 people. The project is kept strictly under wraps, and only whispers slip out onto the public, but it’s certain that Apple is working on something to compete against Google’s Self Driving Cars and Tesla at least, if not all related competitors.

Apple Car Could Beat Out Google Self-Driving Car

Uber Surge Pricing: Less Riders and Less Drivers - http://clapway.com/2015/10/29/uber-surge-pricing-less-riders-and-less-drivers123/

For people who use Uber regularly of have need for it, the app is pretty much a lifesaver. It takes you where you want directly from wherever you are, and as opposed to the danger of a smelly car or an uncomfortable ride, all you have to worry about with Uber is whether or not the driver has gum and water.

One thing that bugs regular Uber users, and usually Friday or Saturday night crowds, is Uber’s surge pricing, where it’s fares can go up to 13x the base estimated fare. A team at Northeastern University proposes an argument that because customers are less inclined to order cabs during those times, there are actually less drivers on the road. So technically, surge pricing causes both supply and demand to drop.

The Study Declares: Surge Pricing is a Tool to Maximize Profit, but It Doesn’t Entice Drivers

The team created 43 Uber accounts and operated them between San Francisco and Manhattan. Their research resulted in the conclusion that drivers actually leave areas where surge pricing is active because people are less inclined to order rides. A representative of the team commented that surge kills demand, so drivers actually get away from it.

According to Gizmodo, Uber has a contrary assessment. A representative added that there is much more data that should be analyzed than what is available to the public, and that since the results come from such limited research, it is not accurate.

As a tip to current Uber users, the researchers also fished out a few ways that surge pricing can be avoided. If a rider changes their location, sometimes by even as much as 100 feet, the minimum fare changes, and by waiting as little as five minutes, fares may return to normal. They conclude that the Uber business model is designed to maximize profit but doesn’t really give good results.

The market between Manhattan and San Francisco are obviously vastly different, and this too was observed in the study. Prices surge in Manhattan about 14% of the time, while San Francisco surges 57% of the time. There is naturally a significant difference in demand between these two cities. The availability of public transportation, time and convenience are varying factors, but the study concludes that in terms of surge pricing, the company is way in over its head.

Despite the Findings, Uber is Still the Most Reliable Cab Service

Uber is different from most online services. There is a first party controlling the service, Uber itself, a secondary party that carries out the service, the drivers, and a third party that receives the service. There isn’t much information that is shared among all three parties; phone numbers are available only to the company and the Uber car’s phone so as to protect client privacy, and drivers have little to no access to what happens after they have dropped off a rider and leave to pick up another one: all of that information remains with the company.

This model seems safest, and it is why Uber and its competitors have become prominent and popular services for people in need of a sober driver or any kind of trip while incapacitated.  Despite this study, Uber will remain a special and convenient tool in every city where it is available, especially for people who don’t drive, are unable to, or don’t have a car in the city they’re currently in.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvFIozLuAg

 

Uber Surge Pricing: Less Riders and Less Drivers

Uber: The New Taxi Trend? - http://clapway.com/2015/10/17/uber-new-taxi-trend-gear-review123/

During my time in Canada over the past four months, I managed to fit in a fair bit of traveling. But with the fun of traveling came the downside of having to pay hefty taxi fares to and from airports, as well as around some cities.

Before my friend and I embarked on our four-day adventure to Los Angeles in November, where we had planned day trips to the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios and places like Huntington Beach, we discovered a mobile taxi company called Uber. We signed up, and because we were new to using it, we got a discount on our first ride by simply entering in a code. From then on, we were hooked.

So, how else is Uber different from regular rendaxis?

1. To start off with, the fares are cheaper in comparison to regular taxis – so just by using Uber, you’re already getting cheaper fares, which makes a big difference when you’re riding a lot of taxis to get around. Every penny saved counts!

2. If a cheaper fare doesn’t already entice you into using Uber, maybe the swanky cars they use will. We probably used Uber about 10 times during our travels in LA and Toronto – each time we were picked up in a swanky looking car where we got free bottles of water, and if we were really lucky, free sweets as well (um, yes please!).

3. With Uber, you don’t need to worry about not having enough cash on you to pay for a taxi when and where you need it. When you sign up with Uber, you input your card details into the app and then any Uber you order gets billed straight to your card. So, there’s no faffing about with cash or tips! You just get in and enjoy the ride.

4. You can also track your taxi and I can guarantee that it’s never further than about five minutes away (each time we used them, they were there within about two minutes!).

5. You are also able to go on to your app on your phone or head to their website to do a quick fare estimate where you enter your pickup and drop off locations, so that you know exactly what price to expect.

6. Whilst ordering your Uber, you can choose from five different cars that go up in price and style: Uber X, Taxi, Black, SUV, and Lux. We always went with the cheapest, which is Uber X, and were totally satisfied with the comfort it offered (and the free water and sweets didn’t go unnoticed either!)

Uber is an expanding company and at the moment they only run in the bigger cities, but are set to run in more locations worldwide soon. If you’re interested in signing up then just download the Uber app or head on over to their website.

Overall, I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with Uber’s services and I know my friend feels the same way. Our drivers were always on hand to help and were full of travel advice and tips. Not having to worry about paying upfront with cash made such a difference, as well, along with traveling in style in the Uber cars that made us feel a bit better about our penniless student status! Simply, a must try for anyone.

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Take SHOWME laser keyboard with you on your next trip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5cxM-g_b9w

Uber: The New Taxi Trend?

In technology news today, #Uber hires #hackers who may help in the development of Uber"s #selfdriving cars. - http://clapway.com/2015/08/31/uber-hackers123/

Two hackers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek, will now be getting a job with the Uber Advanced Technologies Center that is headquartered in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The duo, hired as security researchers, made headlines earlier this year when they successfully hacked and turned off a car engine while it was still in motion. They also managed to hack into the entertainment system of a Jeep Cherokee that they had purchased together.

SPOKESPERSON SAYS PAIR WILL BE WORKING WITH TOP SECURITY OFFICERS AT UBER

A spokesperson for Uber stated that Valasek and Miller will be working with the company’s top security officers to continue to build a high class safety program at Uber. Valasek and Miller are the same security researchers behind some of the most notorious car-hacking studies to date, and working at Uber is their next automotive challenge. Charlie Miller, who has developed a reputation for hacking Apple devices, tweeted that he was looking forward to starting his new job.

At the moment, robotic experts from Carnegie Mellon University work on automation technology and maps in the Uber center in San Francisco. Uber’s chief executive officer has stated that he hopes that Uber will be a self driving fleet one day. If this does happen, it’s very likely that Valasek and Miller will assist in the development of Uber’s autonomous cars.

EFFORTS WITH JEEP PROMPTED THE FIRST RECALL OF OVER 1.4 MILLION VEHICLES

Their efforts with Jeep, coordinated with manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, promoted the first vehicle recall to protect drivers from potentially malicious hacking. The event led to the recall of over 1.4 million Chrysler vehicles.

NEW UBER HIRES COME DAYS AFTER UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PARTNERSHIP

This news comes only a few days after Uber announced a partnership with the University of Arizona, one that will further develop the technology of autonomous vehicles. This is something that Uber has been working on for a number of months now.

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Interested in more technology related news and product reviews? Check out Clapway Trends for the latest updates:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh73AjBjCN0

Uber Hires Hackers to Secure Employee Vehicles

Uber and Xiaomi Team up to Deliver Smartphones... and Ice Cream? - http://clapway.com/2015/07/24/uber-and-xiaomi-team-up-to-deliver-smartphones-and-ice-cream567/

Robots that can fly aren’t traditionally a part of Uber’s modus operandi, but on Friday, the famous ride-sharing company is changing that. Uber is going to start using these drones in order to deliver things that their cars cannot. On Friday, Uber started using drones in order to deliver ice cream to customers in Singapore.

Uber has been doing its ice cream delivery promotions for almost four years. With the day long even coming out soon in 252 cities and in 57 countries around the world, Uber is doing something very different in south east Asia by using these flying drones as a more futuristic delivery mechanism.

UBER’S BEEN DELIVERING ICE CREAM FOR HOW LONG?

Uber customers usually received their cool ice cream treats by an Uber driver, or by a runner who has a backpack. It is mainly a matter of requesting an ice cream delivery through the Uber app, with the delivery of your frozen treat in a matter of minutes. In some places, including eight cities in the UK, ice cream is free. However, in other places, there is a fee that is automatically billed to whatever credit card is associated with your Uber account.

Uber has received criticism from their ice cream delivery promotions last year from Australian users. They complained about hidden charges made for every ice cream request. The company called this a “temporary verification” charge.

DRONES WILL BE USED IN PARTS OF SINGAPORE

However, if you are in Singapore, the drones will become more available near certain areas. There are strict licenses and permits that are required for operating drones in and around Singapore. Drones will be restricted to certain areas around the marina. These statements were made by Uber’s communication manager for South Asia and India.

Uber’s value is estimated to be around $40 billion and has been on a marketing race to build up its customer base despite the tight regulations and crackdowns from authorities around the world. Increased competition is also something that is becoming a problem for Uber.

UBER TEAMING UP WITH XIAOMI TO DELIVER SMART PHONES

Aside from its ice cream delivery promotions, the company is now teaming up with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi in Malaysia and Singapore to deliver the new Mi Note Pro phone within an hour of the customer ordering it.

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Uber and Xiaomi Team up to Deliver Smartphones... and Ice Cream?

Many consider Uber a disruptive force working against the entrenched taxi industry that, according to the startup, fails to serve consumers. - http://clapway.com/2015/06/17/warning-ubers-business-model-in-jeopardy-244/

Could Uber’s entire business model be at risk? Uber drivers are employees of the company not contractors, a US court has ruled, in a move that has the potential to hurt the soul of the app-based ‘cab’ service.

Uber allows consumers to use a user-friendly smartphone app to find a driver and instantly book a ride. The company motto vows to be “everyone’s private driver”, making more than 200 cities “more accessible” in 54 countries around the world. Hated by some, loved by many, Uber’s business model seems to be bringing a strong sense of positivity among customers and independent contractors alike.

UBER’S DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION

Many consider Uber a disruptive force working against the entrenched taxi industry that, according to the startup, fails to serve consumers. The brainchild of two tech entrepreneurs who could not find a taxi on a cold night in Paris, this rapidly growing car-dispatching service currently faces virtually no expenses for the more than one million drivers who facilitate rides through the app – riding the wave of the so-called “shared economy”. But with Uber’s business model under the guillotine, everything could change.

CRITICS OF UBER’S BUSINESS MODEL

Critics argue that Uber has fallen short on safety measures, with cities such as New Delhi banning the service from operating in the Indian capital after a passenger accused one of its drivers of rape.

Yet, as a woman passenger, I must say that most of my negative experiences were with taxi drivers. I often found myself having to reject sexual advances. This is not to generalize against the profession, but there is little accountability in the taxi industry, as drivers as not customer-reviewed.

UBER’S BUSINESS MODEL IS A CHALLENGE TO REGULATORS

Besides being a ‘pain in the ass’ for taxi drivers, Uber has always posed challenges to regulators. The recent decision by the California Labor Commission, which was filed in a state court, disputes Uber’s claims that its drivers are simply contractors. Uber holds itself out as nothing more than a “neutral technological platform”, designed to enable drivers and passengers to transact the business of transportation. The court, however, claims that Uber is actually involved in “every aspect of the operation”.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

If the ruling, which was sparked by a San Francisco-based Uber driver holds, Uber will have to face a number of legal obstacles and cash in significant extra costs, such as Social Security, worker’s compensation and unemployment insurance. Beside the expenses, what worries is how the ruling could drastically affect Uber’s business model and the founders’ vision.

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An alternative travel option comes in the form of smaller wheels:

Warning: Uber’s Business Model in Jeopardy