On: Uber Opens Its API

[smackfu]

Uber provides the drivers with a locked-down iPhone to get the ride requests, so it's not that simple.

[JoeAltmaier → smackfu]

Surprised; I thought Uber was some sort of public-access ridesharing thing. If they vet drivers and license them, how is it different from any other cab service?

[smackfu → JoeAltmaier]

Mainly because they don't actually license them unless the local authorities force them to. They do vet them, in theory.

And to follow-on, the practical difference is that they are a lot less terrible than most existing cab / car services.

[iancarroll → smackfu]

People have been selling/giving away their Uber accounts too, IIRC.