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Welcome to the week in ridesharing news. More specifically, we have compiled the most pertinent news from the realm of Uber.
If it's crucial to the app or just plain silly, we have you covered.
Uber Trouble
This week we discovered that Hungary isn't as fond of the Uber app as some parts of the world. Joining with those countries and protestors that take umbrage with the innovation, Hungary officials are cracking down on unlicensed drivers.
Getting popped without a license could warrant as much as a three-year suspension of driving privileges.
That's not the only place cracking down, because Queensland is also taking their respective Uber drivers to task.
Much closer to home, Austin voters may pass a bill that would require fingerprint data from drivers. Bot Uber and Lyft have vowed to leave if the bill passes.
UberFC:
MMA fighters Joseph Benavidez and Cody Garbrandt proved that there are other things you can do in an Uber aside from checking your phone and carrying awkward conversations with the driver.
Both surprised Las Vegas visitors with one heck of an Uber ride, complete with video game theatrics.
Uber Is Hot
Mashable discovered that there is a new hip-hop hat tip taking over the likes of "Cadillac" and "Escalade."
The article illustrates that rappers are going gaga over Uber and often mention the rideshare solution in songs.
Uber Dating Pool
If all else fails, just start dating your Uber driver.
That's what "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'" Brandi Glanville did, and she divulged the details to Page Six this week.
Glanville relays that the chance encounter happened after the model/driver took up an offer to hang with Glanville and pals at her house.
She states: "I was watching him at first, thinking he might steal something, but then we started talking and I found out that we had the same modeling agency in Europe, and we just totally hit it off. We exchanged numbers, and he obviously had my information from Uber, but we went out a few other times."
Uber: It makes a great wingman.
Tipping Ain't Easy
As Harvard Business Review spells out, Uber's new policy makes for some possibly confusing and awkward encounters at the end of rides.
Essentially, feel free to tip, but there is no way to do so in-app. That means many will continue to ride without tipping, unaware of a possibly unspoken expectation from drivers. Uber needs to make up its mind. Either make tipping transparent or forbid the practice completely.
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