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Uber taxi vandalized in France despite new law favoring regular cab drivers
Though a new French law gives cabs there a 15-minute head start against private companies like Uber and LeCab, taxi drivers are far from done protesting. Things may have just taken a violent turn, as an Uber car with a pair of Eventbrite execs aboard was just attacked on its way from a Paris airport. The culprits slashed two tires, dumped glue on the car and broke windows, which cut the hands of CTO Kat Borlongan, according to her tweet. She added that the Uber driver managed to maneuver out of harm's way before the attackers could enter the vehicle. There's no proof that taxi drivers were behind the attack, but Uber believes they're responsible, and there have been vehement protests in France by traditional cabbies who have paid enormous sums for their official permits and now feel that their livelihoods are being threatened by new car services. Meanwhile, there's a good chance the new "15-minute" law will be struck down anyway, according to Rude Baguette. That's because the legislation was passed by presidential decree, meaning it's held to a higher anti-competition standard -- which it seems unlikely to meet. Update: Uber has confirmed and "strongly condemned" the attack in a statement to Venture Beat (after the break). [Image credit: Rude Baguette]
French Uber users face 15-minute delay starting next year
To the surprise of virtually everyone in France, the government has just passed a law requiring car services like Uber to wait 15 minutes before picking up passengers. The bill is designed to help regular taxi drivers, who feel threatened by recently introduced companies like Uber, SnapCar and LeCab. Cabbies in the Gallic nation require formidable time and expense to get their permits and see the new services -- which lack such onerous requirements -- as direct competitors. The legislation managed to pass through parliament despite reservations from the French competition authority, which deemed it ill-thought-out. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the private services called the new law "absurd, unjust and incomprehensible" and vowed to attack it. One SnapCar rep even told TechCrunch it would never leave a customer on a rainy street, and pointing to the French Minister responsible, said "what would Manuel Valls want for his mother?"
Nordic Games partners with Uber for release of Planetary Annihilation
Publisher Nordic Games will team up with Planetary Annihilation developer Uber Entertainment to bring the real-time-strategy game to Earthly retail shops, a press release announced this week. Nordic will also be involved in a "non-exclusive partnership" regarding PA's digital release. When said partnership will result in finished copies for everyone is currently up in the air though, as Uber's "when it's done" mentality is focused on launching PA when the developer feels "confident about its level of polish." Nordic purchased the Darksiders, Titan Quest, Red Faction and MX vs ATV properties from THQ's auction earlier this year. It also bought the rights to Costume Quest and Stacking, but Nordic gave those licenses back to their developer, Double Fine, in a heist-free transaction that totally wasn't in Vienna.
Any.DO's Cal app scores Uber, Waze and Google Maps integration (updated)
The stock iOS calendar works just fine for basic scheduling, but if you religiously use Uber, Waze or Google Maps, Any.DO's Cal could be worth checking out. An update to the popular productivity outfit's brainchild brings integration with the three aforementioned services, which means you can now call a cab via Uber without leaving Cal, so long as you're in an area where the town cars roam. You'll also be able to navigate your way using Waze and Google Maps without having to launch them. As a nice bonus, Any.DO is introducing a new gifting feature that lets you buy straight from Amazon or Gifts.com from within the app itself. Cal is still nowhere to be seen on Google Play, but iOS users can score the refreshed application at the source. Update (10/08/13): The folks at Any.DO have informed us that you can't access Uber without leaving Cal after all. There's actually an Uber link within the calendar that launches the request-a-ride app. The amended press release is attached after the break if you'd like to know more.
California regulator sets rules for ridesharing companies
The California Public Utilities Commission approved ridesharing companies early this year, but it offered only a few temporary guidelines while it worked on a formal rule set. Today, the regulator has published those definitive rules. Companies like Lyft, SideCar and Uber now have to get a CPUC license to operate under a new Transportation Network Company category. To maintain that license, they'll have to run background checks, train drivers, hold a minimum level of insurance, inspect cars and drop employees who abuse alcohol or drugs. The requirements won't necessarily eliminate tension with Los Angeles and other cities that believe they have jurisdiction over taxi-like services. However, the CPUC's move gives California ridesharing companies a degree of comfort -- they can keep operating in many cities without fear of being shut down.
Uber embraces impatience with ETA feature for iOS and Android
Uber's latest update tackles that age old question: are we there yet? The company's offering up an ETA feature that'll let you share your estimated arrival time with friends and family via text message. Enable the feature in the app, enter your destination and once your driver starts his or her trip, you can text your real-time ETA along with map link to concerned parties. The latest version of the app is available now for iOS and Android. No word on how time traveling DeLorean rides are expected to impact the app's estimates.
Uber to offer DeLorean rides in SF this weekend only, time travel not included
If you're a Back to the Future fanatic who wasn't able to snag a DeLorean on eBay or hitch a ride in a time-traveling taxi cab, then you might want to head to the City by the Bay this weekend. Uber has partnered with GE as part of the latter's Brilliant Machines campaign to offer rides in, yes, a DeLorean, but only in San Francisco and only for the following three days. They'll be operational some time between 12 to 9pm on Friday and between 12 to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday -- you'll know a DeLorean is available if you see an option pop up on the app (as seen in the screenshot after the break). However, Uber told us there'll only be four of them on the road. Due to the limited availability, you're restricted to just 15 minutes per trip and only one passenger per vehicle. The company's pulled publicity ploys like this before -- remember the ice cream trucks and those $3,000 helicopter rides? -- but we have to admit this one makes our inner Marty McFly smile. So if you're feeling lucky, take a trip to SF and try your hand at hailing one of these 1.21-gigawatt-powered beauties. Be sure to ask the driver if he can reach 88MPH. [Image credit: Maile Kraus, Twitter]
NFL Players Association contracts with Uber to curb drunk driving
In a commendable move, the NFL Players Association is contracting with Uber for the 2013-2014 season in an attempt to keep intoxicated athletes from getting behind the wheel. Each player will receive a personalized keychain card that contains $200 credit for the on-demand ridesharing service, which will complement an existing telephone-based service that's offered by the union. Uber currently operates in 17 of the NFL's 31 cities, which isn't ideal, but the service is expanding at a respectable pace. The agreement stands as Uber's biggest deal with major league sports to date, which previously provided a trial service to the San Francisco Giants. Naturally, we'd like to see other players' organizations and teams get on board with similar programs, which could help prevent tragedies such as the one that took the life of a Dallas Cowboys player last year.
Uber takes its car service to Dubai, enters first Middle Eastern locale
The folks at Uber have had a busy, globe-trotting summer. After plans to ride into China, India and other parts of Asian crept out in June, the private car service has taken its expertise to Dubai. Arrival near the world's tallest building marks the outfit's first entry into the Middle East. Interested customers can use the iPhone app to request a ride in vehicles like the BMW 7-Series with more cars being added on the daily. No word on plans to expand into desert-bound dessert delivery just yet, though.
Uber Ice Cream returns July 19th, takes on-demand dessert worldwide (video)
Veteran Uber members will remember last year's Uber Ice Cream: for one day only, they could use the company's mobile app to hail an ice cream truck and beat the heat. The program is thankfully coming back on July 19th, and this time on a much larger scale. Customers in 18 US cities and 16 international cities can order group-sized batches of ice cream that should arrive within minutes; the most common US pricing offers five desserts for $25. You'll need to both sign up and download Uber's Android or iOS apps if you want to take part, but those small hassles could lead to some big relief from the summer swelter.
Uber intros fare splitting for cost-conscious ridesharers
Few party-goers look forward to the math involved with paying for a shared cab ride home. Now that Uber supports fare splitting, they won't have to: the company's updated Android and iOS apps let passengers divide the cost equally. While friends must be Uber members to chip in, they only have to give their permission if someone has already hailed a car. The new apps won't necessarily get cheapskate friends to pay up, but they could avoid a few headaches at the end of a long night.
For one day only, Uber will offer $3,000 helicopter rides to the Hamptons
Too good for the Jitney? Uber has a special one-time offer that might be up your diamond-strewn alley. From 12PM to 8PM this Wednesday, Uber will be providing $3,000 helicopter rides to the Hamptons to promote its new summertime service in the exclusive Long Island enclave. If you're located in New York City, an SUV will whisk you to the most conveniently located helipad, where your flying chariot will await. Once you land, another SUV will be at the ready to complete your journey. If you miss out on the extremely limited-time offer, fear not. Uber's new service, also launching on Wednesday, will provide $300 one way trips between NYC and the Hamptons. And when you get there, don't forget to send Jay Gatsby our regards.
Los Angeles puts ridesharing companies on notice, demands local permits
Someone didn't get the memo, apparently. Despite California's Public Utilities Commission giving ridesharing services the all clear on a statewide level, Los Angeles' Department of Transportation has sent cease-and-desist warnings to Lyft, Sidecar and Uber, claiming that all three are breaking local laws by operating without city permits. Drivers could face arrests and lose their cars if they keep serving customers, according to the notices. Not surprisingly, the ridesharing firms have a very different opinion. Uber tells Engadget that it's operating a limousine-like service which only needs PUC permission to operate, and Lyft says it's talking with the Mayor's office to resolve what it believes is a "state issue." For now, we're at an impasse -- let's just hope that Los Angeles follows in New York's footsteps and tries to reach a happy medium.
Uber plans expansion into China, India and other Asian countries
Folks in cities like Singapore and Sydney are already enjoying Uber's online private car hire service, but the company doesn't intend to just stop its expansion in that corner of the globe. According to job postings and newly minted Twitter accounts, Uber is planning to extend its coverage to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Seoul, Taipei and Auckland. We haven't heard any official details on availability, but it appears that at least one city (Taipei) should be ready to go in just a few weeks. This wouldn't be the first time these municipalities have enjoyed similar services, but Uber certainly has a lot of weight and momentum behind its growth; besides, who doesn't love a little competition?
NY court lifts temporary ban on cab-hailing apps, pilot program to continue
The on-again-off-again status of NYC's e-hail pilot program is now, well, back on. A New York state court has just lifted a temporary restraining order brought on by the city's livery cab companies that halted the year-long trial of taxi-hailing apps like Uber, Hailo and Taxi Magic. They argued that using the apps to book cabs counts as pre-arranging a service, which is strictly their territory. After weeks of deliberation, judges sided with the city, which contended the software is just another way to hail a cab.
Temporary restraining order blocks Uber and others from New York City operations
In a move which should surprise no one who's been following along, New York City livery car groups successfully won a bid yesterday afternoon for a temporary restraining order against New York City's smartphone-based hail pilot program ("e-hails," if you will). This effectively shuts down any (limited) plans UberTAXI and others had for getting back in business in Gotham -- both Uber and Hailo are being stopped from operating in NYC as a result. Under the pilot program -- approved earlier this year but mired in legal drama ever since -- services like Uber and Hailo could be used in NYC's approximately 13K yellow cabs. Livery cab businesses in NYC have sought to stop the program's implementation via legal means. Its latest effort, the "application for interim relief," was admitted via lawyer Randy Mastro of Gibson Dunn, and cites the following as its reason for the temporary restraining order: "Absent emergency relief, petitioners and the public will suffer irreparable injury to their livelihoods, businesses and industry, fundamental rights and environmental interests, all of which will be impossible to remedy after this case is resolved in petitioner's favor."
UberTAXI returns to NYC in a limited capacity
Just a few days after receiving the nod from New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), UberTAXI has officially returned to the Big Apple -- with some limitations. For starters, automatic fare billing is not yet available, so passengers will have to pay drivers directly via cash or credit card. Uber warns that ride availability will be limited as the company is working on adding more cabbies to its system. Also, while New Yorkers can use a mobile app to call for a ride, drivers cannot be requested by SMS. Finally, the TLC's e-hail pilot program prohibits UberTAXIs from making trips to both JFK and LaGuardia airports along with accepting fares going outside of New York's five boroughs. Restrictive? Yes, but at least it's a start.
Daily Update for April 29, 2013
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Uber gets go-ahead for New York City e-hail service
Talk about magical and revolutionary: the manual and unpredictable task of hailing a taxi is being completely overturned by mobile devices. In many American cities, app vendors like Uber are disrupting the livery and taxi business by providing quick and predictable service at the tap of a button. The roster of cities with e-hailing service is missing a major entry, however; the Big Apple. With the largest US fleet of yellow taxis plus some arcane service regulations, New York's market is a huge prize for the app vendor that establishes early dominance. Several rounds of testing and potential rule changes later, the city is ready to start piloting e-hail services at last. Valleywag reports that the legal challenges to NYC e-hails have been cleared, and Uber is the first out of the gate. The popular service is now approved to provide e-hail service during the 12-month pilot program on New York streets. Unlike some other cities where Uber provides coverage, payment to taxi drivers is not yet included in the service; you have to pay the driver directly. (Uber's other classes of service, covering livery cars, "black cars" and SUVs, all include integrated payment.) Of course, Uber's not the only app vendor aiming at the country's biggest taxi fleet. Competitors like iTaxi, Taxi Magic and Hailo all would like a piece of the pie. Competing service Hailo actually sent out a beta e-hail announcement to potential users of its service in New York, but there's a slight hitch: the TLC's pilot has no provision for beta or soft launches. Either you're approved or you're not, and right now Uber is; Hailo is not.
Uber's back in Gotham: NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission approves cab-hailing app
Car service Uber and New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) have had a rocky relationship, as the Commission banned Uber from Gotham's taxicabs last year. Susequently, the TLC greenlit a trial to test cab hailing apps and after a brief legal delay, the pilot program is back in action, and Valleywag reports that Uber is the first app approved to participate in it. Uber's co-founder Travis Kalanick is, quite naturally, excited to be back in NYC taxis with the commission's tacit explicit approval, and stated that the app will be ready for use across the city "monetarily." So, it's official, good people of Gotham, you can now legally go forth and get your Uber on.
