I spent the entire day on the sofa using only my smartphone to feed, clean, entertain, wash and supply me. Here is my story. April 7, 2016 There’s never been a better time to have an aversion to effort. Fuelled by a heady mix of collective laziness and a perceived lack of free time, a new breed of smartphone app has rocketed to popularity: the convenience app; the concierge app; the can’t be bothered doing it myself app. All of them developed [...]
US economy is about to be “swept away by a tidal wave of corporate default”, roars Societe Generale uber bear April 7, 2016 A Societe Generale analyst has predicted the US economy is about to be “swept away by a tidal wave of corporate default”. Albert Edwards has not shied away from bearish comments in the past and has been dubbed an "uber bear". In February 2014, amid turmoil in emerging markets, he described the unravelling as "the final tweet of [...]
Uber adds another ex-government adviser to its team April 6, 2016 Ride-hailing app Uber has added another former government adviser to its staff, with a new addition to its policy team. Guy Levin, who was a government adviser between 2010 and 2014, has joined the company's policy research team, based in Amsterdam. Levin, who is moving from his role as executive director at startup policy group [...]
Competition works as cabbies up their game in the long-running battle with Uber April 6, 2016 The long-running battle between Uber and black cabs may be drawing to a civilised conclusion, and we can thank the beneficial forces of market competition for calming this mighty feud. Faced with the realisation that Uber isn’t going anywhere, the black cab industry has taken the sensible and welcome step of deciding to compete with [...]
Cab Wars: Research shows Uber is growing despite negative headlines April 6, 2016 As the London mayoral election approaches, it seems like a good time to consider Uber, a company that has divided opinion in the capital. The black cab industry has suffered since the emergence of Uber and its online app. Rows have arisen over regulation, metres and customer safety. City streets have seen several gridlock-causing protests. [...]
Sharing economy data just came a step closer to being officially counted in ONS statistics April 5, 2016 How much is the ever-growing so-called sharing economy really contributing to Britain's growth? That's the question the country's top statisticians are grappling with as the likes of upstart businesses such as Uber, Airbnb, Task Rabbit and many more redefine the way we work. Now, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the details of its first assessment of [...]
Card fees for paying for London taxis removed for all passengers April 5, 2016 Those using cards to pay for their London taxis will no longer have to pay a surcharge, in a move that will help keep the industry competitive against the likes of Uber. The move means passengers should never pay more than the amount shown on the meter due to the method of payment that is used. [...]
Why the future of London’s black cabs is green April 4, 2016 London stands out as a beacon for cities all over the world. It is a city built on the strength of the diversity of its peoples, businesses, architecture and infrastructure in a process of reinvention and renewal that almost uniquely, successfully melds the old and the new. With just over a month until voting day for London’s [...]
London black taxis vs Uber: This is cabbies’ big plan to save the industry – and they want the new Mayor of London on board April 4, 2016 London's black cab drivers want to offer superfast WiFi to passengers travelling across the capital and have taxi ranks outside every Night Tube stop as part of new efforts to keep the taxi industry competitive. Under increasing pressure from upstart Uber, a new group has been formed bringing together cab drivers, the company manufacturing black cabs – the London Taxi [...]
Crowdfunding website used by mobile challenger bank Mondo to raise £1m in 96 seconds celebrates £150m milestone April 1, 2016 It has helped mobile banks, car parking apps, artisan food markets, Uber challengers and cocktail companies along their way. And now Crowdcube is celebrating a milestone: since launching in 2011, companies have raised £150m on its platform. The crowdfunding website estimates that its 381 successful raises – 34 of which have totalled more than £1m – will create 7,000 new jobs. Read more: Numis leads [...]