just used Android Device Manager

[rudeguy]

I left my phone in an Uber and I figured it was gone. I didn't get home for over an hour after I left it, so I thought there was zero chance of getting it back. I went to the site, located my phone, locked it with a message to call my son's phone, then rang it. Within a minute someone called back and they are on their way to drop it off.

Worked perfect!

 

[lopri]

I tested Android Device Manager in the house, but it is still nice to know that it works in a situation where it is designed to work. I only turn it on when I travel outside of my usual territory and thankfully I have not had to use it yet.

How is the Uber experience? Most of news I hear about it have been on the negative side.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I tested Android Device Manager in the house, but it is still nice to know that it works in a situation where it is designed to work. I only turn it on when I travel outside of my usual territory and thankfully I have not had to use it yet.

How is the Uber experience? Most of news I hear about it have been on the negative side.

It should work unless you're dealing with a professional phone thief. It worked when I left my phone in a cab.

As for the Uber part, I take an Uber or Lyft at least twice a week. It's just very convenient. I think the experience varies, but all of the experiences are better than any cabbie I've ever met. They're courteous as they know they're bound by their ratings. I believe if they're anything below like 4.5 or something, they get kicked off.

On Lyfts, I get offered food and drinks. It's pretty weird sometimes, but cool. I've also been asked if i want to play my music and if the temperature is right. Many SF Lyft drivers also drive for Uber; some have multiple phones--one with each app.

Edit: I'll add that you hear a lot of negatives about Uber on the press, but that might be more geared towards management or maybe the overall impression Uber makes. Every little tiny mistake they make gets scrutinized. It's similar to OnePlus One. The company might not be great, but the devices are, and every single OPO owner swears by it. I'm pretty sure every regular Uber/Lyft/Sidecar user is pretty darn satisfied.

 

[rudeguy]

I tested Android Device Manager in the house, but it is still nice to know that it works in a situation where it is designed to work. I only turn it on when I travel outside of my usual territory and thankfully I have not had to use it yet.

How is the Uber experience? Most of news I hear about it have been on the negative side.

Uber is great. They show up in under 10 minutes and cost half of what a cab does. Being able to see exactly where the car is when they are on the way is the best.

 

[RossMAN]

In addition to Android Device Manager, I have Prey and Cerberus installed on our cell phones.

 

[vshah]

Cerberus is awesome. Of course my sister wouldn't let me install it on her brand new oneplus, and hen got her handbag swiped 2 months later.

 

[lopri]

It is surprising to hear that Uber is cheaper than regular cabs.

 

[Oyeve]

In addition to Android Device Manager, I have Prey and Cerberus installed on our cell phones.

Cerberus banned my account. I was using my spare android as a cheap home monitor and they said I abused the account. Bastards.

 

[gorcorps]

It is surprising to hear that Uber is cheaper than regular cabs.

That was the whole point. I'm really concerned about where you're getting your information about Uber, because you said you've heard nothing but bad things (I've heard nothing but good) and that you're surprised they're less expensive (when being cheap is the whole reason behind the popularity).

 

[lopri]

I thought it was marketed as a higher quality service, not necessarily cheaper.

 

[dawheat]

Uber is great. They show up in under 10 minutes and cost half of what a cab does. Being able to see exactly where the car is when they are on the way is the best.

For short to even medium rides in Manhattan, I find yellow cabs much cheaper. Living in the Upper East side, there's also no problems getting a cab any time of day.

So Uber is much nicer, but price wise I've never seen it be much cheaper and most of the time, actually more expensive.

 

[ControlD]

In addition to Android Device Manager, I have Prey and Cerberus installed on our cell phones.

Thanks for the links. I hadn't heard of those before.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

That was the whole point. I'm really concerned about where you're getting your information about Uber, because you said you've heard nothing but bad things (I've heard nothing but good) and that you're surprised they're less expensive (when being cheap is the whole reason behind the popularity).

Ok, given that Uber started out in San Francisco, I'll tell you what Uber means for a San Franciscan.

Back in the day, when you got out of the bars at 2am, you had to fight for a cab. People run upstream of traffic to hunt down the next cab. Sometimes you'd have to stand 20 minutes just to get a ride home. And when a cab did stop, you'd tell them that you live in the Sunset or even somewhere not as far like Pac Heights and they'd tell you conveniently that their shift is ending... or the credit card machine is broken all of a sudden. With luck you might be able to ride a puke smelling car that speeds through the hills of SF and you're holding on to your dear life. All while the driver doesn't speak a lick of English.

Compare this to NYC where its very easy to find a cab. Sure Friday evenings can be tough during rush hour and when people are headed out, but at least you see hundreds of cabs whizzing by. In SF, the number of cabs is just limited. You don't just put your hand up and a cab shows up in 5 seconds. It's easily a 10 minute ordeal even during the day. I've driven around looking for parking once at midnight and these girls paid me to drop them off 3 blocks away since they were in heels. That was seriously random. I thought I was gonna get mugged at first.

A ride across SF is anywhere from $15-$20 easily. Uber came about to offer not only cheaper service but higher quality service and most important of all... availability.

Uber drivers also have to watch their rating. Any rating below 4.6 means they're kicked off the system. As a result they're super courteous now. They ask you about the temperature in the car, if you want water, etc.

In cities where Uber, Lyft and Sidecar are locked in huge battles like SF, where Lyfts are actually quite plenty too, there's a LOT of promotions going on. Lyft had a MATCHMUNI promo code that offered $2.25 shared rides anywhere in the city. Half the time, when calling a Lyft Line with my gf, we get no one else in the car. So it ends up being $4.50 (same as Muni for 2 people). I'd rather take a car than a pee smelling old POS bus with a bunch of crazies. Uberpool had some similar offer with a $5 offer anywhere in the city.

Just beware of surge pricing (Uber) or prime time (Lyft). Lyft tends to be cheaper for me, but only by a bit. I don't think I've taken a taxi since my last trip to NYC or somewhere I'm unfamiliar with.