UpStart Mobile Set to Launch San Francisco Closed Beta “Cabulous” Phone App

Oct. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- In a move that will change the way taxi drivers and passengers find each other, UpStart Mobile is launching the San Francisco closed beta of its newest Application, Cabulous, in November 2009, starting with the iPhone.

The App helps passengers and drivers find each other and converge on a meeting place.  It allows passengers to see the exact location of actual drivers available nearby and then to hail them.  John Wolpert, CEO of UpStart Mobile, says, “It’s like having a gigantic taxi whistle and a bird’s eye view of all those out-of-sight, out-of-mind cabs.”  The driver, in turn, is able to see exactly where the passenger is at all times – even if that passenger decides to walk down the block and/or around the corner.  And because the system works on the driver’s personal smartphone, the passenger is hailing a specific driver who can be added to a favorites list and spotted the next time he is driving nearby, a plus for drivers who want to build customer loyalty.

The App was borne of frustration at waiting for a cab and not knowing whether it was a block away, ten blocks away or not coming at all.  But the real problem isn’t about the passenger, says Wolpert.  “It is about drivers not knowing whether the passenger will be there when they arrive.  No-shows and downtime cost cab drivers over $5 billion a year.”

Elijah Windsor, lead developer for UpStart Mobile, explains, “If Cabulous can reduce the anxiety of finding and waiting for a ride, then maybe more people will use cabs. And maybe when someone has had too many drinks at a party – especially out in the suburbs or away from known taxi stands – they might think to use a taxi, because now they can see on their map how close a cab might be.”

Cabulous will be available in the iTunes store for the iPhone and iPod Touch during the 2009 holiday season.  A demo of the App is at http://cabulous.com, where you can also sign up to be a part of the beta launch or learn when Cabulous is available in your area.  

The App will be a free download for both riders and drivers.

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About Upstart Mobile

UpStart Mobile develops location-based mobile solutions for business–to–consumer applications. Cabulous was conceived and developed in a Best Buy entrepreneurship program in 2008 and spun-out in 2009 to UpStart Mobile. UpStart Mobile’s leadership team has personal experience driving cabs for a living, a long history of working with governments in the US, Asia and Europe, and 20 years experience leading startups and creative development teams.