I'd say that the biggest change is that you now can use that same app to effortlessly hail a car in New York, Hong Kong and Sao Paulo.

The fact that I don't have to stress and figure out a new taxi system every new city I visit is a big plus. On the flip-side, the taxi system quirks of new cities could also be charming in a way. Double edged sword I guess.

I've never taken an uber from a place with hailable cabs. I would never have left a night haunt in Tottenham or a friends house in Denmark Hill and expect to find a taxi. Like, ever.

Sure, some cabs would be finishing jobs taking people home from Shoreditch and soho, but you'd just have to walk to a main road and hope you bumped in to one. Along with anyone else doing the same thing...