5 ms·

Uber is afraid of Google. That's why the maps in Uber's driver app can't plan a route according to traffic, they don't use google maps.

tedmiston 11y ago
Uber is already integrated into Google Maps from the consumer side. From the VC side, Google Ventures invested ~$250M in Uber a few years ago. How is it they're afraid of Google?
- ams6110 11y ago
  Google has the map data. Google are working on autonomous vehicles. When they get the latter, what is the need for Uber? The $250M would be an irrelevant sunk cost at that point.
- zorpner 11y ago
  Because Google routinely undermines their partners through internal productizing (see e.g. Flintstone/OnHub), and Google has a large self-driving car program. There's a clear path from there to a Google(/Alphabet)-owned ride provider regardless of investment in Uber.
- jorts 11y ago
  Uber is building out their own map system so that they are no longer dependent upon a third party. It's already in production on a limited basis. Isn't Google Ventures pretty isolated from Google?
  - meddlepal 11y ago
    Uber bought Bing Maps for $1.
    - vadym909 11y ago
      you mean $1B surely?
      - meddlepal 11y ago
        No. I can't name a source though. Basically Microsoft was hemmoraghing money on this unit and Uber took a chunk of staff, the tech, AND the operating expenses.
        emcq 11y ago
        $1 doesn't make any sense. Perhaps you're leaving out some form of equity swap. Bankrupt companies get purchased all the time for millions of dollars and I can't imagine Microsoft's business team would allow such a shitty deal.
        fullshark 11y ago
        It only makes sense if the unit was hemorrhaging money and had near iron clad contracts/termination penalties.
        morgante 11y ago
        Bankrupt companies also routinely get purchased for $1, with the old owners just glad to get rid of outstanding liabilities.
    - Elepsis 11y ago
      This just isn't true in any way. Uber once upon a time was a bidder on Here Maps, which provided most of Bing's mapping data, but they lost to a consortium of German car makers (BMW, Daimler, Audi): http://www.wsj.com/articles/bmw-daimler-audi-agree-to-buy-nokias-here-maps-business-1438580698 http://www.wsj.com/articles/bmw-daimler-audi-agree-to-buy-no...
      - itsprofitbaron 11y ago
        They acquired part of Bing's Mapping Assets alongside ~100 employees - http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/uber-acquires-part-of-bings-mapping-assets-will-absorb-around-100-microsoft-employees/ http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/uber-acquires-part-of-bings... and http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB11064341213388534269604581078352707853460 http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB110643412133885342696045810783...

tedmiston 11y ago

Uber is already integrated into Google Maps from the consumer side. From the VC side, Google Ventures invested ~$250M in Uber a few years ago. How is it they're afraid of Google?

ams6110 11y ago
Google has the map data. Google are working on autonomous vehicles. When they get the latter, what is the need for Uber? The $250M would be an irrelevant sunk cost at that point.
zorpner 11y ago
Because Google routinely undermines their partners through internal productizing (see e.g. Flintstone/OnHub), and Google has a large self-driving car program. There's a clear path from there to a Google(/Alphabet)-owned ride provider regardless of investment in Uber.
jorts 11y ago
Uber is building out their own map system so that they are no longer dependent upon a third party. It's already in production on a limited basis. Isn't Google Ventures pretty isolated from Google?
- meddlepal 11y ago
  Uber bought Bing Maps for $1.
  - vadym909 11y ago
    you mean $1B surely?
    - meddlepal 11y ago
      No. I can't name a source though. Basically Microsoft was hemmoraghing money on this unit and Uber took a chunk of staff, the tech, AND the operating expenses.
      - emcq 11y ago
        $1 doesn't make any sense. Perhaps you're leaving out some form of equity swap. Bankrupt companies get purchased all the time for millions of dollars and I can't imagine Microsoft's business team would allow such a shitty deal.
        fullshark 11y ago
        It only makes sense if the unit was hemorrhaging money and had near iron clad contracts/termination penalties.
        morgante 11y ago
        Bankrupt companies also routinely get purchased for $1, with the old owners just glad to get rid of outstanding liabilities.
  - Elepsis 11y ago
    This just isn't true in any way. Uber once upon a time was a bidder on Here Maps, which provided most of Bing's mapping data, but they lost to a consortium of German car makers (BMW, Daimler, Audi): http://www.wsj.com/articles/bmw-daimler-audi-agree-to-buy-nokias-here-maps-business-1438580698 http://www.wsj.com/articles/bmw-daimler-audi-agree-to-buy-no...
    - itsprofitbaron 11y ago
      They acquired part of Bing's Mapping Assets alongside ~100 employees - http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/uber-acquires-part-of-bings-mapping-assets-will-absorb-around-100-microsoft-employees/ http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/29/uber-acquires-part-of-bings... and http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB11064341213388534269604581078352707853460 http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB110643412133885342696045810783...