That's how a taxi works, yes.

The only potentially new thing here (though not necessary invented by Uber) was "shows me cab's ___location", but the remaining three? All of them were supported since people invented telephones and portable radio transmitters.

Uber's primary innovation is, and always has been, their operations playbook, which allowed - and still allows - them to grow a billion-dollar business while routinely breaking the laws in front of everybody and not even trying to hide it much.

But I have no interest in talking to anyone or have essays worth of conversations where to meet and at what time and for what price. Or, like for instance a London competition app and many cab services outside London demand; to book n (even 24 for some) hours in advance.

> I may need you to provide the definition of innovation. Uber enables me to call a cab even before I leave the building, it suggests a price for me, it shows me cab's ___location, it sends my request to more than one cab.

If there are regulations that would prevent taxi companies from doing that, then that's the problem.

If there is a monopoly so they don't have incentive to do that then that's a problem.

I can use an app to pre-book, pre-pay and track a taxi using any of the local taxi companies (of which none has a monopoly). The problem is solvable...

I have been using taxis a lot -- even as primary city transport service. Early 2000: pretty much I used to go to work and back by taxi.

I could call, they'd know the calling phone ___location (land lines, so that was fixed). Alternatively I'd have to tell where I was and where I'd like to go to. Either they would tell how much time it'd take, plus the car number picking me... or call back with the same info, if no immediate taxi was available.

The meters were a must - both distance and time and you got a receipt at the end. That's like 17-18y ago.

That's exactly what taxi companies in germany do as well. myTaxi.com being one provider of such services, for example.

So in comparison, suddenly the only advantage uber has left is being unregulated.

Well, for what it's worth, Uber was founded in March 2009, while MyTaxi was founded in June 2009.

AFAIR Uber didn't start with taking over the regular taxi market with shiny apps and illegal behaviour; that only came later.

Not to mention not mess around with cards or cash. No cash is a distant dream for me using non Uber rides. Innovation I do not know but all things you mention work conveniently well in Uber and badly or not at all in most half baked attempts by (for instance the city of Barcelona) taxi service apps.

I think where innovation is poor it's typically because there is a monopoly that simply removes incentives of operators to innovate, and a lack of good regulation, such as what the service must provide (payment options, safety, insurance, apps, ...).

If the regulation says "there can only be one company and they can charge cash only if they want" then the regulation is poor. The regulation should say "Anyone who fulfills the criteria on safety/insurance/skill can operate a taxi business. And oh, they must accept credit cards".

My local taxi place does all of this too, and has done for a few years.

It's like saying Apple Map does the same thing Google Maps does. I don't think it's a good argument if you try to convince me Uber is not innovative.

My point is Uber did not invent them. This was happening before Uber existed.