Yeah, but Google doesn't need Uber. Google has the self driving tech (clearly), has the reach (Google Maps on Android and iOS). Uber? Ain't nobody need Uber.
That's a really interesting point! Other complexity in this business is the operational nightmare of efficiently managing a fleet, but if there's one company that has the tech chops to make this happen fast, it's Google.
Not a bad point, but Uber has market share. If you brow beat them into a partnership on favorable terms it would be quite useful.
Ehh, just strike a deal with Apple to share revenue if they ban Uber from the app store. Where's Uber going if they're not on the Play or App store?
That would be amazing if Google just added in Uber's entire business as a feature into Maps.
Since Uber is already in there [1], Google just needs to push out an app update that swaps the copy to "Waymo". Boom. A string change, and Uber's business model goes poof.
Was mighty kind of Uber and its investors to prove out the business model for Google.