Have to transition taxis from meter to set-pricing first. The uncertainty of getting into a cab and agreeing to pay an unknown price is a big part of why I avoid them.

I’ve been hit with a ridiculous price at the end of a ride enough to distrust the whole concept of giving them a blank check.

Some cities are better at this. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/2012_pa...

That's a pretty standard taxi price structure. Open, but not clear. I have no idea based on that how much a trip will cost, even if somehow I managed to keep that whole table memorized.

It seems like it could easily be combined with or even integrated into a maps API like Google Maps. Plot the route and plug the length into the formula. I guarantee it's simpler than Uber's formula.

Been hit by that with Uber as well, due to traffic. 'You were so late you missed the first act of the show AND we charged you twice as much as we said we would!' was a fun night.

Uber has used fixed up front pricing for years.

Since I already use Maps for so many things I would definitely use it for taxis if the rates were comparable. As long as Uber is somewhat cheaper it's not that hard to open their app.

What happened if another search engine comes out, what happened another online shop opens, would Google and Amazon face extinction?

That other search engine/shop has no eyeballs aimed at them yet, so is no threat.

So you essentially saying Google can do anything successfully since they already attract lots of traffic

That actually happened. I booked Ubers and lyft from inside Maps a couple years ago.

Seems like that feature is just gone now...

If you search for directions, and select the mode of transport icon that looks like someone hailing a taxi, Uber and Lyft options are still displayed; the option hasn't been removed.

But now that just opens the Uber app. It used to book it entirely within maps.

I have booked Ubers through Google Maps.

Uber would not have a problem with that. Rather the entire future of Uber relies on invention of self-driving cars. If they get that, they can stop relying on drivers which are currently 80% of cost and reason they are not profitable.