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Is Uber the Most Elegant Use of Mobile to Date?

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This post is for 2 audiences:

People who travel to or live in Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle or San Francisco.

Startups looking for inspiration.

 

If you are a startup and you are looking for another to model yourself after, you might consider Über. Über is Travis Kalanak’s ~new ride (limo) service that I think of as the Trader Joes of transportation.

Why is Uber a great startup?

  • Uber understands its audience.
  • Uber solves a problem for its audience.
  • Uber optimally uses the technology available, but is still very simple.
  • Uber has a staff of people who are dedicated to ensuring that your experience is positive.
  • Uber does a great job activating passionate riders and drivers.
  • Uber is easy to explain to anyone.
  • It started with a sound business model.

They solve a supply chain problem elegantly. Cabs are unpredictable and often dirty and smelly. Black cars are often trying to convince people to ride with them. You will see drivers standing outside of conference centers, hotels and stadiums hustling. Riders do not always understand the terms and it feels shady. Uber unites people who want a high quality ride with black car drivers who can give them one. Uber brings a bit of on-demand luxury to everyone (in its markets) at an affordable price and a uniform experience. When you use Uber there’s no question about how you will pay or when you will pay. Uber values their community and actively interacts with people.

 

What makes Uber an uber use of mobile?

Uber incorporates multiple features and channels into the experience to make it simple. Assuming you have an iPhone or Android phone (it also works on feature phones using text messages), the GPS use is excellent for both riders and drivers because you can always see where each other is and how soon they will get to you.  You get a text message when your Uber driver is arriving just in case you are not still looking directly into the app to watch the driver. The app tells you the name of the driver and gives you the option to call them if you want to give them special instructions or ask them any questions before they arrive. The rate is predetermined and because you hook your credit card up during the signup process, payment happens in the background – all in. You do not need to tip. It’s included. You rate your driver on a 5 star scale. Every driver I have had (about 20) has been 5 star. When I ask them why they are only 4.8 or 4.9 stars, they say that someone was drunk or that they were just a hard grader.

 

If you want to tell someone about Uber, you can use these expressions:

  • It is simple.
  • It is fun.
  • It is visual.
  • The experience is predictable.
  • It solves real (first) world problems.
  • It has a solid business model.
  • It takes advantage of and maximizes features of smart phones
  • It makes a high quality service accessible to anyone (in their markets)

Download Uber and tell me if you agree that it is one of the most elegant uses of mobile yet.

 


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