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> Uber feels like the Kleenex of its industry. I agree but not, I think, in the way you intend. If someone asks for a Kleenex and they get passed a non-Kleenex
by untog 11y ago
> Uber feels like the Kleenex of its industry.
I agree but not, I think, in the way you intend. If someone asks for a Kleenex and they get passed a non-Kleenex brand tissue, they rarely object. "Uber" could just become the 21st Century "Hoover".
- Touche 11y agoTissue paper is bought at a grocery store with each brand sitting next to each other. If tissue paper brands each had their own store, like ride sharing apps do, then I think Kleenex wouldn't have the problem you describe. Uber still has to compete on price, for sure. But there's certainly friction to A) download non-Uber ride sharing apps and (even greater IMO) B) open multiple apps to compare prices. If Uber's price doesn't seem unreasonably high, what reason is there for people to compare?
- dagwaging 11y ago>open multiple apps to compare prices that gives me an idea...
- waitwhatwhoa 11y agohttp://www.whatsthefare.com http://www.whatsthefare.com
- Touche 11y agoThere was a similar app during the check-in app craze (where a half-dozen competing apps existed) but that didn't stop Foursquare from eventually winning the space (even though it was arguably not the best of the options).
- __derek__ 11y agoAw, poor Gowalla.
- Touche 11y agoAnd loopt, brightkite, whrrl (spelling?) and probably more. And that was just within the "check into a place" category. There were also other categories like checking-in to what you're watching on tv (GetGlue), checking-in to what you're eating (Foodspotting), checking in to what you're drinking (Untappd). Some of these are still around but most are not. Not sure if the ride-sharing space will turn out the same or not. I feel at least Uber and Lyft are probably safe.
- __derek__ 11y agoThis may be related to my provincial ignorance (I was in Ann Arbor during the check-in boom), but I remember Gowalla being the Lyft to Foursquare's Uber. Of course, there is an actual business model for the ride-sharing companies, so maybe there's room for multiple players.
- Touche 11y agoIt's not a great comparison because Gowalla had essentially no competitive advantage, whereas Lyft at least has the chance to have one. Gowalla competed on "better design" for a while but ultimately the network effect of Foursquare mattered far more. Lyft is making headway in some cities so I think they're doing fine.
- marssaxman 11y agoThey invented the concept, so far as I was aware, in the form of Dodgeball. Foursquare was just their relaunch of Dodgeball after the failed Google acquisition.
- Touche 11y agoIt's a fair point, honestly Lyft or whoever should be doing this themselves. If they just listed competing prices (heck, even link out to the other apps) that would be a strong reason to use their app as your default.
- goldbrick 11y agoTangential, but this is exactly what's happened in some parts of the adtech market, it's called "mediation".
- dragonwriter 11y ago> >open multiple apps to compare prices > that gives me an idea... ...for the ride service fare and time comparison feature in Google Maps?
- LanguageGamer 11y agoI wonder how difficult it would be to build an app that lists and estimates fares for different local car services.
- dragonwriter 11y ago> I wonder how difficult it would be to build an app that lists and estimates fares for different local car services. Google Maps (on Android, at least, but I assume generally, I just haven't checked elsewhere) has that feature already, though when I've checked what it showed it only listed Uber. Even if it is currently Uber-only, the feature's UI makes very clear that its intended to be a ride service time & cost estimate comparison feature, so...
- twinkletwinkle 11y agohttps://goswift.ly/ https://goswift.ly/ My friend wrote it. Includes other modes of transportation like buses and scooter-shares.