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Re:Grab drivers in Southeast Asia are now convenience stores... by spbaar on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @10:15AM (#17237767)
Uber rides do seem underutilized. Someone posted a picture of them hooking up their switch so passengers would be able to play mario kart and the response was so positive it seems perplexing that nintendo or hbo doesn't put in samples for passengers to try.
Re:Grab drivers in Southeast Asia are now convenience stores... by mikepurvis on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @10:44AM (#17238085)
There is some irony in paying someone to drive you around and then sitting there in the back seat playing a racing game.
Re:Grab drivers in Southeast Asia are now convenience stores... by ihsw2 on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @10:31AM (#17237935)
Uber/Lyft drivers fall into multiple groups, the largest of which is bottom-budget drivers just trying to get by. They usually drive beaters (that barely get any non-routine maintenance) and they're driven until they fall apart.

Cost is a barrier to entry for these drivers to participate in these programs and there is likely an upfront cost to purchase initial inventory. It might catch on if inventory is (initially) provided at no cost to drivers.

Re:Grab drivers in Southeast Asia are now convenience stores... by ryanianian on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @10:48AM (#17238142)
Presumably extras would be advertising/"attention-economy"-driven and thus subsidized by another company rather than the drivers themselves. Or if Uber let drivers have mini vending machines there's a clear ROI on a relatively small investment (or the vending machines are rented etc). Perhaps the more expensive "black cars" would have freebies.
Re:Grab drivers in Southeast Asia are now convenience stores... by jylam on Tuesday June 05, 2018 @10:29AM (#17237915)
It seems to be a great recipe to get vomit on your car floor, though.