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Uber Announces Closure of its Alcohol Delivery Service Drizly

Uber Announces Closure of its Alcohol Delivery Service Drizly

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In an unexpected turn of events, Uber has announced the shutdown of its alcohol delivery service, Drizly. This decision marks a significant shift in Uber’s business strategy and has implications for consumers and the alcohol delivery market at large. This article delves into the reasons behind this move, its impact, and what the future may hold for Uber and its competitors.

Uber's Acquisition of Drizly

Uber Announces Closure of its Alcohol Delivery Service Drizly

Image Source: vinepair.com

In 2021, Uber acquired Drizly, integrating it into its expansive portfolio of delivery services. This move was seen as a strategic step to diversify Uber’s offerings and tap into the growing market of on-demand alcohol delivery.

The Shocking News: Drizly's Service Closure

The announcement of Drizly’s shutdown came as a surprise to many. Customers who had become accustomed to the convenience of ordering their favorite drinks online were left wondering about the reasons behind this decision.

Behind the Decision: Why is Drizly Shutting Down?

The liquor delivery market is full of complex regulations and intense competition. These challenges may have played a significant role in Uber’s decision. With varying laws across states and countries, understanding the legal landscape of alcohol distribution is a difficult task. These regulatory challenges could create significant hurdles for companies like Drizly. Uber’s decision also reflects a strategic shift in its business model, potentially focusing more on its core services and other profitable areas.

How Will Drizly's Shutdown Affect Consumers?

Drizly’s closure will undoubtedly impact its regular users. However, there are many options in the market that consumers can turn to. With Drizly ending its service, customers may explore other alcohol delivery services that offer similar convenience and variety.

Also Read: Apple Era Overtakes Samsung to Become Global Smartphone Leader of 2023

The Broader Impact on the Alcohol Delivery Market

Drizly’s closure is not just an isolated incident but could have an impact on the entire liquor delivery industry. This creates an opportunity for other players in the market to fill the gap left by Drizly, potentially leading to new innovations and services.

Wrapping Up: The End of an Era for Drizly

The closure of Drizly marks the end of a significant chapter in the world of alcohol delivery services. As we bid farewell to Drizly, we look forward to seeing how the market adapts and evolves in response to this change.

Chatbot

Uber Is Developing an AI-Powered Chatbot to Integrate Into App

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Uber Technologies, an Uber subsidiary, is building a chatbot that will be driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and incorporated into the application, following the lengthy list of businesses that are using linguistic technology to enhance automated operations like customer service and marketing.

On Tuesday, in a discussion with Bloomberg Technology, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that they are working on it currently. He did not go into more detail about what the digital assistant will be able to perform but rather emphasized how Uber already employs artificial intelligence in its operations.

Chatbot
Image Source: hindustantimes.com

Uber has been using machine learning and artificial intelligence for a while, Khosrowshahi emphasized. The algorithms used by Uber to connect consumers with vehicles or couriers based upon numerous criteria like distance and time of day presently heavily rely on these kinds of technologies.

Also Read: Crypto stocks dip after bitcoin slumps to six-week low

“We have been working with machine learning, artificial intelligence systems for years and years,” he told Emily Chang. “Every time you get matched up with a car or a courier, there are algorithms making that happen, from the time of day, distance, all of that is driven by machine learning.”

Source: scmp.com

Both DoorDash Inc. as well as Instacart Inc., two of Uber’s delivery rivals, are developing chatbots.

Also Read: WhatsApp Launches Instant Video Messages

DashAI, a technology being developed by DoorDash, will expedite shopping and aid users in finding meal alternatives on the app. Consumers may utilize Instacart’s latest “Ask Instacart” function, backed by the application programming interface (API) of OpenAI Inc., to raise inquiries regarding the preparation of meals.

Despite just recording its first operational profit, the company’s sales dropped short of experts’ projections, which caused a six percent drop in its stock price. Regardless of this setback, Uber is still committed to improving its user experience and service to consumers by integrating AI-powered technology, such as the future chatbot.

In conclusion, Uber’s creation of a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence shows its dedication to using cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experience, streamline processes, and spur advancement in the cutthroat ride-hailing services and delivery sector.

minimum wage law

Uber, DoorDash sue New York City over minimum wage law

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A recent minimum wage law that Uber, DoorDash, along with Grubhub believe would harm the delivery business is being challenged in court by the city of New York.

A law approved by Eric Adams this past month mandates that delivery employees in New York City start receiving a minimum pay of around eighteen dollars per hour on July 12. Although several advocacy organizations welcomed the decision, the delivery services contend that the employees who are regarded as independent contractors are going to suffer.

minimum wage law
Image Source: barrons.com

At present, drivers receive a base wage plus a gratuity from every client for each journey. According to the new minimum wage law, delivery services have to pay drivers $17.96 every hour they are actively using the app or around fifty cents for each minute of each trip.

Also Read: Apple opens store on China’s WeChat platform

In a message to the Dept. of Consumer and Worker Protection, the organization in charge of determining the minimum salary, DoorDash warned that establishing this minimum might undermine the flexible nature of delivery employment, which serves as one of the primary reasons why numerous individuals depend on the gig economy.

And some motorists concur. Two decades of delivery experience have led Alberto Mendes to conclude that the legislation offers delivery businesses more freedom to choose the schedules of their employees.

“They shouldn’t have done this,” Mendes told Insider. “Now they’ll make us work whenever they want. Even though we’re not employees, they’re going to schedule us.”

Source: businessinsider.in

However, a lot of drivers, notably the labor union Los Deliveristas Unidos, fought for minimum pay and supported recent rules that let couriers use restaurant facilities and establish delivery boundaries. To pay for the expenses of gig employment, such as car repair, petrol, tolls, and injuries, they support greater remuneration. According to a city report from 2022, workplace injuries among delivery personnel are common.

Also Read: Google’s medical AI chatbot is reportedly being tested in hospitals

A DoorDash spokesperson gave Insider the following comment: “Bad policies cannot go unchallenged, and we will not stand by and let the harmful impacts of this earnings standard on New York City customers, merchants, and the delivery workers it was intended to support go unchecked.”

Source: businessinsider.in

From New York City, the press statement claims that the average hourly wage for food delivery employees is presently $7.09. The city employs over 60,000 individuals who transport food, as stated by the municipal administration.

uber

Uber’s Redesigned App Puts The Focus On Personalization

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Uber has unveiled an upgraded version of its application that focuses on simplifying and customizing the user experience.
The updated app has a simpler home screen, which eliminates the resistance of a few additional clicks when making reservations for a ride or placing orders for delivery.

Uber
Image Source: wired.com

It also simplifies the way consumers can view saved venues, as well as some iPhone users can monitor the advancement of a trip on their lock screen.

Also Read: Google tests blocking news content for some Canadians

With the redesign, Uber wants to make the user experience so effortless and intuitive that more customers see Uber as the “one-stop shop for going anywhere and getting anything,” according to Jen You, head of product for rides at Uber.


“The redesigned Uber app has increased awareness and consideration to a wider array of products, which has driven growth to several lines of business,” You told TechCrunch. “This redesign leans into our platform strategy by expanding the breadth and relevance of products that Uber customers can engage with every time they open the app, especially Uber One members who use more of our products more often and will now have easier access to all the offerings in their city.”


Reference is taken from: https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/22/uber-redesigns-app-for-simpler-more-personalized-experience/
As per Uber, the update will be distributed to “tens of millions” of consumers in 1,200 cities worldwide on Wednesday. Customers must ensure that their devices and the Uber application have been upgraded to access the new app.


A simpler Home Screen
Several Users have had a glimpse of the updated home screen for several weeks now. The latest home screen incorporates carousels that prompt users with “More ways of using Uber,” “Ways to prepare with Uber,” or “Ways to save with Uber,” which would offer choices for facilities such as introducing a stop across a route, linking with public transportation, riding a Lime e-scooter, or selecting an even smoother riding experience.


At the screen bottom, the latest “Services” tab lists all of the trips and delivery resources obtainable in that city, such as e-scooters, supper choices, rental cars, delivering packages, and bus charter facilities. A new “Activity” button at the bottom of the screen lets customers keep a record of past and forthcoming trips and Eats bookings.


Getting to know you better
“Saved Places” will show up as a recommendation of locations and travel types predicated on a user’s preferences, previous trips, and also most probable locations whenever a user presses “Where to?” on the latest app. The app will keep gathering information about the user to provide more personalized suggestions in the future.

Also Read: Amazon Web Services pairs with Hugging Face to target AI developers


Updates to live tracking
iPhone owners running iOS 16 or subsequent can monitor their trips without manually opening the Uber app by using a “dynamic island,” which is essentially a little sphere that shows content that’s operating in the background. Users now receive alerts on their lock screen whenever a driver seems to be on their way or near to pick-up.

The dynamic island would then consistently show information such as automobile details which includes the driver’s photo, license plate, model of vehicle, and image of the vehicle as well as the most recent ETA and ride status.

ads division

Uber Launches Ads Division to boost their Revenue

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Uber, a ride-hailing service, has started its own ads division to connect customers with companies by playing video ads while they are in their cabs.

ads division
Image Source: techgh24.com

By playing video ads during the ride, Uber’s ads division hopes to connect customers with companies. The business introduced “Uber Journey Ads,” a fun way for companies to connect with their customers. To operate Journey Ads, Uber has already partnered with more than 40 well-known companies.

At first, these advertisements will only be shown in a few markets. Though some experts warn it could cause issues with user privacy, the company believes the new ad-targeting service has enormous potential for revenue growth.

Uber’s General Manager for the ads division, Mark Grether noted: “We have a global audience of valuable, purchase-minded consumers who, as part of our core business, tell us where they want to go and what they want to get.

While consumers are making purchase decisions and waiting for their destination or delivery, we can engage them with messages from brands relevant to their purchase journeys.

And with 1.87 billion trips last quarter, that means we can connect advertisers to consumers on average five times per month across rides and delivery.”

Uber also provides thorough data and analysis, which aids businesses in creating marketing initiatives that have a bigger effect on their target audience. The ride-hailing platform provides “Sponsored Listings” across Uber Eats to help brands stand out from the crowd and attract customers.

Uber’s “Homepage Billboards” provide sponsors the option to put advertisements on the Uber Eats homepage, and “Sponsored Emails” allow brands to push offers to Uber and Uber Eats customers by mail to their inboxes.

As per Uber, the new ad-targeting tool would enable brands to use information about riders’ previous travel patterns as well as their specific geographic locations to position ads. For example, a company might purchase ads targeted at that place if a user requests an Uber to go to a particular store, movie theatre, or airport.

Additionally, Uber will now permit a single brand to sponsor the entire journey, beginning with the initial request for the cab. These so-called “journey ads,” will be sold on a trip-by-trip basis rather than the typical pricing for digital advertising by consumer impression

This will allow brands to display a user different ads in three parts in the user’s trip: while waiting for a car, while driving, and once the user has arrived at the destination.

According to Mr. Grether, the rider can make purchases by clicking an ad without exiting the Uber app. Advertising on in-car tablets will also be included in separate pilot initiatives in the United States and India, he said.

Tech giants like Google and Meta, have been known to record users’ web activity to target them with ads. Retailers like Walmart and Kroger can keep track of your shopping habits to the advantage of the businesses that partner with them for advertising.

Uber has been developing its advertising business for several years, but the majority of its development to date has come from ads placed on the food delivery app Uber Eats.

The new division of Uber will face competition from rivals like Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart Inc., all of which are fighting for an increasing share of the advertising budgets of companies looking to reach consumers online.

Uber, which joined the advertising market in 2019, has stated that it hopes to generate over $1 billion in revenue from ads by 2024.

Meanwhile, a recent U.S. proposal that could prevent gig workers from being classified as independent contractors will likely result in higher costs for businesses like Uber and Lyft.

Uber

Uber Sells 7.8 Percent Stake In Zomato In $373 Million Block Deal: Check Details.

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Uber Technologies Incorporated, an American Mobility service provider, is expected to sell a 7.8 % stake in the food delivery platform, Zomato on 3 August 2022, Wednesday, through a $373 million (approximately Rs. 2900 crores) block deal according to a familiar source and a document seen by the new agency. 

Zomato purchased Uber Eats’ India operation in a non-cash deal in January 2020. As a result, Uber received approximately a ten percent stake in the restaurant discovery platform. 

The proposal size of $373 million (approximately Rs 2,900 Crores) was on the basis of the lower end of a Rs 48- Rs 54 price range determined for the block deal with a discount of 2.8-13.6 percent to the closing price on the National Stock Exchange of Rs 55.55 on Tuesday, the document stated. 

The sole lead coordinator in the issuance of this block deal is BofA Securities, an American multinational investment banking division under Bank of America. 

Uber
Image source: c.ndtvimg.com

An inner firm memo viewed by the news agency disclosed that the Indian food Delivery Platform with backing from China’s Ant Group is taking reorganizing its management into account so that its discrete businesses would have its chief executive officer whereas the parent corporation would be renamed as “Eternal”. 

Deepinder Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of Zomato, in the memo specified that the corporation was currently not only operating the Zomato food delivery business but also other large businesses. Goyal said the businesses also include Blinkit, a proposed purchase of grocery-delivery startup, food Ingredients and kitchen supply business Hyperpure, and a non-profit organization whose purpose is to decrease hunger in poor Indian communities known as Feeding India. 

“We are transitioning from a company where I was the CEO to a place where we will have multiple CEOs running each of our businesses…all acting as peers to each other”, Goyal stated in the memo.

Source: gadgets360.com

Deepinder Goyal specified in the memo that the proposed name for the parent corporation, “Eternal” would stay as an “Internal name for now”. 

Zomato’s shares hit rock bottom last week as a one-year shares lock-in time duration for employees, advisors and other investors terminated and it posted a smaller quarterly loss, helped by some gain in orders for restaurant meals on its platform on 1 August 2022, Monday. The net loss of the firm was Rs. 1.86 Billion for the three months ended on 30 June, IN comparison with a loss of Rs. 3.56 Billion, which was recorded a year ago, the firm stated in a regulatory filing. On 27 July, Its shares changed by 37 per cent from a low of Rs 40.55 on the Bombay Stock Exchange. 

On Tuesday, Uber Stated in its earnings report that it had experienced an unexpected loss of $245 million in the second quarter and $707 million in the course of the first half of 2022 on its investment in Zomato. These unexpected losses are related to the reappraisal of its stakes in America-based self-driving technical firms Aurora, Indonesian mobility service provider firm, Grab and Zomato. 

“I would say that change is always slow and then it is actually fast. You don’t wake up one day and say now I want to change and then change happens overnight. So, I think over the last year, we have been really prepping and working hard to set up the infrastructure to make this change happen. This quarter is when all of those things actually started to happen,” cofounder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal specified, on whether the corporation had intentionally concentrated on profitability currently.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

The Ceo specified that their Food delivery platform, Zomato, had already invested approx. 150 million USD in BLinkit as a loan before they declared the acquisition in march.