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Uber Opens Its API

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Re: Uber Opens Its API

#31

Post by sbuccini »

chaghalibaghali wrote: post #2

This could potentially be great news - I've been working on an Uber client app for Firefox OS [1] using the reverse-engineering done by the Uber CLI project [2]. It's pretty a pretty basic implementation at the moment (you can currently book a ride based on an address, and not much else), but allowed me to move to FirefoxOS for my primary phone - Uber being the last 'must-have' app for me that didn't have a webapp ve…

You can also use http://m.uber.com if you can't download the app onto your smartphone.

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#32

Post by mcclavius »

chaghalibaghali wrote: post #20
mcclavius wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mike here, from the Uber API team. The Request A Ride endpoint is currently only available on a whitelist basis. We'd love to hear your ideas on the integration if you'd like to share them with us!

Hi Mike, thanks for replying - not sure of the best way to contact you, but my email address is in my profile if you'd like to get in touch.

Awesome. Might be user error on my part but I do not see your email address. Send a message to developer[at]uber.com and we can chat.

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#33

Post by aianus »

potatolicious wrote: post #18
aianus wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Of course it is. In many places (eg Toronto) I can only choose between Uber and Taxis so I'm going to go with Uber.

There is a third choice: neither. You're in Toronto for crying out loud - despite the kvetching of its residents the TTC is one of the best transit systems on the continent. Uber is shady as fuck, so is the cab industry. Pointing out the degrees to which they are shady is not particularly useful and serves only to rationalize supporting unethical actors.

That's not the same product. I do use the TTC whenever it's convenient.

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#34

Post by chaghalibaghali »

sbuccini wrote: post #31
chaghalibaghali wrote: post #2

This could potentially be great news - I've been working on an Uber client app for Firefox OS [1] using the reverse-engineering done by the Uber CLI project [2]. It's pretty a pretty basic implementation at the moment (you can currently book a ride based on an address, and not much else), but allowed me to move to FirefoxOS for my primary phone - Uber being the last 'must-have' app for me that didn't have a webapp ve…

You can also use http://m.uber.com if you can't download the app onto your smartphone.

Whoops, did not realise that existed! Fairly sure it didn't when I first started playing with FirefoxOS, but this is exactly what I need

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#36

Post by viraptor »

sergiotapia wrote: post #8

Uber is a dirty company, don't give them your business. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/13/uber-employees-a...

I find this problem really strange to be honest. Lyft guys are capable of solving dispatch issues, so why don't they introduce limits in their ToS? For example 5 cancellations in a row - ban. 25%+ cancellations over a period of time - ban. Or instead of a ban, start charging for cancellations over some threshold. If they set the threshold and the resulting action properly, they should be able to handle the bad behaviour with little loss.

I see this as one of the few social problems that can be solved with technology. Use the tech to make the incentives for this behaviour go away.

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#37

Post by jaredsohn »

chaghalibaghali wrote: post #20
mcclavius wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mike here, from the Uber API team. The Request A Ride endpoint is currently only available on a whitelist basis. We'd love to hear your ideas on the integration if you'd like to share them with us!

Hi Mike, thanks for replying - not sure of the best way to contact you, but my email address is in my profile if you'd like to get in touch.

FYI, the e-mail field on Hacker News is hidden (you should add it to the about text if you want people to see it.)

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#39

Post by Nagyman »

aianus wrote: post #17
potatolicious wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn't a contest.

Of course it is. In many places (eg Toronto) I can only choose between Uber and Taxis so I'm going to go with Uber.

I'm curious if you use Uber because of the convenience or vehicles? I use Hailo for the convenience, but I'm curious if Uber is more convenient or you just prefer their vehicles and/or driver service.

Re: Uber Opens Its API

#40

Post by downandout »

viraptor wrote: post #36
sergiotapia wrote: post #8

Uber is a dirty company, don't give them your business. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/08/13/uber-employees-a...

I find this problem really strange to be honest. Lyft guys are capable of solving dispatch issues, so why don't they introduce limits in their ToS? For example 5 cancellations in a row - ban. 25%+ cancellations over a period of time - ban. Or instead of a ban, start charging for cancellations over some threshold. If they set the threshold and the resulting action properly, they should be able to handle the bad behavi…

Agreed. This certainly doesn't excuse Uber's behavior, but as a startup you have to adapt and adjust to whatever issues you are confronted with. When abusive cancellations became a problem, they should have made it either impossible or expensive for the behavior to continue.
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