When comparing Google Hangouts vs Uber, the Slant community recommends Google Hangouts for most people. In the question“What are the most useful Android phone apps?” Google Hangouts is ranked 31st while Uber is ranked 40th. The most important reason people chose Google Hangouts is:
Hangouts offers both an Android and iOS app so users can participate from nearly any mobile device in addition to his Desktop.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Mobile support
Hangouts offers both an Android and iOS app so users can participate from nearly any mobile device in addition to his Desktop.
Pro Screen sharing
Any user can share his screen (or only a specific desktop or window) while still continuing an audio conversation.
Pro Free group video support
Hangouts works with up to 10 participants using video out of the box or up to 15 if you are a business, government or school. It determines who is the primary speaker at any given time, and the camera view automatically switches to that user.
Pro Useful for businesses
Hangouts can scale to become a videoconferencing solution for an entire company, since the software can run on nearly all platforms. In fact, Google itself uses Hangouts as its meeting room video conference software.
Pro Easy to start using
Hangouts is integrated with Gmail & Google+, does not require you to download desktop software, and all chats can take place directly in your browser, significantly reducing the barrier to entry for a new user.
Pro Completely free
Google offers all features of Hangouts completely free. There are business, education and government solutions that increase the participant count to for video calls to 15 and offers support.
Pro Cross platform
Hangouts work on Android, iOS, Chrome OS, web and as a Chrome extension.
Pro Live broadcasting and instant recording
With Google+ “Hangouts on Air”, you can broadcast any hangout to an unlimited audience via your Goolge+ Profile or simply a generic YouTube link. Moreover, any Hangout on Air (public or private) is automatically saved as YouTube video that you can keep for private reference or use in any way that you would normally share a YouTube video. This allows you to record conversations without additional obtrusive software.
Pro Google Voice integration
Allows for a fixed phone number, receiving and making calls. Calling US or Canada is free.
Pro Integrates with Google Maps for sharing locations
When chatting with people while trying to plan a meet up, the share map button can be extremely useful.
Pro Android app does both sms and hangouts messaging
Pro Choice of 5 basic services
UberX and UberXL are the cheapest services where driver's use their own cars. Can seat 4 or 6 people respectively.
UberBlack and UberSUV are premium services with licensed drivers and cars. Can seat 4 or 6 people respectively.
UberTaxi is a service that requests a taxi via the app.
Pro Good user interface
First time starting the app requires creating an account, confirming phone number, and adding billing info.
Each time the app is started a map is presented that allows setting a pickup location. Choice of service at the bottom. Estimated pickup time. Once that's done the app asks to confirm billing information.
Pro Carpooling service can save up to 40%
Pro Drivers are vetted rigorously
Pro Can play music in any music-enabled Uber via Spotify
Pro Insured under required commercial livery/taxi license
Pro Generally professional drivers
Uber drivers have excellent street knowledge and well dressed (there's suggested attire for drivers).
Cons
Con Poor video call quality
Only goes up to 720p30 + low bitrate.
Con Owned by Google
Con Lacking clients for older versions
Con High hardware usage
Con Not recommended for long sessions
Con Won't work on Windows 8-style UI
As Hangouts uses a browser plugin on the desktop and it doesn't work with Windows 8-style UI, it has to be used in desktop mode.
Con Highly questionable business practices
Uber often takes part in ethically questionable business practices such as purposefully sabotaging competitors by ordering and canceling rides in bulk, pushing questionable auto loans to drivers, selectively spying on customers and ignoring regulations.
Con High surge pricing
During busy hours, Uber raises prices drastically. On holidays, it isn't uncommon for 10 minute rides to cost around $150 USD. An increase of up to 800%. Also, Uber doesn't pro-actively notify users of surge pricing.