Uber tracked iPhone users even after they uninstalled the app and Tim Cook wasn't happy
Uber broke Apple's rules by tagging and tracking iPhones even after users had uninstalled the taxi-hailing app. The New York Times reports that Tim Cook met with CEO Travis Kalanick and warned that the Uber app could be kicked out of the App Store for violating privacy guidelines.
It is said that Uber has been found "secretly identifying and tagging iPhones" not only after the app was uninstalled, but even after phones had been wiped. The "fingerprinting" technique was used -- it is alleged -- to identify individual iPhones, and measures were taken to hide the offending code from Apple.
#DeleteUber campaign forces Uber to automate and speed up account removal process
After failing to participate in a taxi ban around John F Kennedy airport while protests against President Trump's travel ban went on, Uber found itself on the receiving end of a good deal of flak. The hashtag #DeleteUber spent a lengthy period trending on Twitter as people voiced their disapproval of what they see as a Trump-supporting company.
Irked Uber users who did not like the idea of the company seeming to profit from the refugee and immigration ban were not just flashing the #DeleteUber hashtag around, they were acting on it. But attempts to delete accounts led to frustration, with some people suggesting that Uber was blocking them from killing their account; this was not the case, and the company is speeding up the deletion process.
Google Maps adds Lyft and Gett ride-sharing options -- should Uber be worried?
Uber is considered the king of ride-sharing in the USA by many. Why is this? There are many likely factors, but ultimately, its brand got an early boost. There is definite name recognition, and the company's marketing keeps the brand on consumers' minds. In other words, "Uber" is to ride-sharing, as "Band-Aid" is to bandages. Many people do not consider alternatives.
But what if consumers did not need to be aware of the alternatives? What if they were instead shown multiple brand options -- including pricing -- next to Uber? This would not be good for Uber. There would be very visible alternatives -- with potentially lower prices -- which could take business from the aforementioned leader. Today, Google Maps is slowly enabling this very thing by expanding on its initial ride-share options, adding some significant choices when searching for a ride -- Lyft nationwide, and Gett in NYC. While Uber should be worried, consumers should be absolutely thrilled.
Android Pay now supports Google Chrome, Chase cards, and Uber Payment Rewards
Cash is dumb. No, I do not necessarily mean stupid; I mean it is not "smart" from a technology standpoint. Understandably, some folks like the idea of paper money as it allows their honest transactions to occur below the radar, and for a privacy standpoint, I understand that. However, cash also assists people that commit crimes, such as drug dealers -- and that is not cool. Once all monetary transactions are digital, and cash no longer exists, law enforcement will have an easier time tracking illegal transactions, while honest folks can more easily track and budget their finances.
Digital payment systems, such as Samsung Pay and Apple Pay are paving the way for a cashless society. Google's Android pay is also part of the push, and today, it is getting even better. Not only is it adding many new banks to the program, such as Chase, but it is also adding support for mobile Google Chrome and Uber's Payment Rewards program.
Google to take on Uber and Lyft, using Waze to offer ride-sharing
Google's seemingly relentless expansion into just about every field of business looks set to continue as the company prepares to enter the ride-sharing arena. The likes of Lyft and Uber have already proved that there is a strong demand for such car-pooling services.
Following on from a pilot program in San Francisco, Google is set to make use of its Waze app to put commuters in touch with each other. Come the end of 2016, the program will be opened up to anyone in the Bay Area, with the possibility of a wider expansion later.
Lyft adding 'extra stops'
Ride-sharing apps are all the rage nowadays. It is not hard to see why traditional taxi drivers despise the services -- it is extremely convenient and satisfying to reserve a car with a smartphone app. Standing in the street with your arms flailing in an effort to get a driver's attention is archaic and uncouth.
While Uber is undoubtedly the king of ride-sharing in the USA, its competitor, Lyft, is no slouch. Today, Lyft announces an upcoming new feature that looks rather useful -- 'extra stops'.
Why 'Uber of' startups fail
Uber is the latest poster child for technological disruption. The company found an industry stagnated by anti-competitive regulations and, with the simple addition of a mobile app that enabled its users to provide what only taxis and limousines could do before, it stood that industry on its ear. And ever since, we have faced a litany of startups that call themselves the "Uber of" something or other.
There’s just one problem: not everyone can be an Uber.
Uber China will merge with Digi Chuxing
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick announced via a blog post that Uber China -- a subsidiary of the taxi-hailing app -- will merge with its biggest competitor in the region -- Didi Chuxing -- in a whopping $35 billion deal.
The blog post has recently been doing the rounds on Chinese social media, with the deal effectively signalling the end of a hard-fought market share battle in China in which both companies have invested huge amounts of money without really getting anywhere.
Security researchers find major vulnerabilities in Uber
A group of hackers from a security company in Portugal managed to hack into Uber and get their hands on a bunch of data that should remain hidden.
The team of three experts, Vitor Oliveira, Fábio Pires and Filipe Reis from Integrity, found a total of six flaws: they managed to use promotion codes, found private emails using UUID, found users’ phone numbers, created driver accounts, validated them, found where you went, who your driver was, and who you are and, ultimately, date of the trip, driver name and picture, the ID and the cost of the trip. The route map was also disclosed.
Toyota bets on Uber
Ahh, the battle in the car industry is heating up. Quick, everyone, grab your popcorn!
After both Lyft and Gett found investors in the form of General Motors and Volkswagen, respectively, it is Uber’s turn to get funded, and the car making company with the pleasure is none other than Toyota.
Five dollar uberPOOL ridesharing comes to NYC
Carpooling is apparently good for the environment, as less fossil fuels are used by having multiple people take one car. While I love the environment, I also love the freedom of having my own car while at work; being able to come and go as I want. Sorry, Mother Earth, but for the most part, ridesharing just isn't for me.
Where I don't mind sharing a ride, however, is for less frequent occasions, such as going to the airport or taking a taxi. Today, Uber announces a $5 uberPOOL ridesharing program in NYC. Regardless of your feelings for the environment, you can't deny the greatness of saving some money, right? Well, as long as the other riders don't smell bad.
Win tickets to the Beyoncé Formation World Tour with this Uber promo code
Whenever I go to NYC, I have an internal struggle over transportation. Once I arrive in Penn Station by way of the Long Island Railroad, do I choose a yellow cab, or an Uber ride? Many things weigh on my choice, such as the weather, or a very long wait at the cab line in front of Madison Square Garden.
Now it seems I have yet another factor in my decision -- Beyoncé. How is the superstar singing sensation impacting my choice between yellow cab and Uber? Well, American Express is now offering a chance to win tickets to her sold-out tour. By using a specific promo code when paying for your Uber ride, you could win two tickets to the Formation World Tour. If you win, you will also get round-trip Uber transportation to and from the concert.
Jaguar Land Rover is building an Uber competitor
Jaguar Land Rover has announced the launch of a new business, which is basically an Uber competitor. According to the company’s press release, the new technology start-up called InMotion will "build apps and on-demand services to overcome modern travel and transport challenges".
The start-up will soon start testing a couple of different services related to car sharing and car ownership. The testing will take place in North America, Europe and Asia "in the coming months".
Google Maps for iOS adds taxi services to route options
Less than a month after its last update, Google has rolled out Google Maps for iOS 4.17. The big news here is the addition of taxi services when comparing route options for six countries, including the US, UK and India.
Supported taxi services include Uber, plus 99Taxis (Brazil), Ola Cabs (India), Hailo (UK and Spain), mytaxi (Germany and Spain), and Gett (UK).
Uber announces bug bounty program
Uber is calling on independent computer researchers and experts to find weaknesses in its system as the transportation firm is set to release its technical map.
As Uber jumps into the bug bounty bandwagon -- a philosophy that has long been advocated by the open-source software movement -- it details its software infrastructure to the public, identifies what sorts of data might be exposed inadvertently and suggests what types of flaws are the most likely to be found.
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