Waymo is probably parting ways with Uber

Waymo is reportedly considering a breakup with Uber. The deal has been an uneasy marriage — Waymo builds the self-driving cars, Uber brings the riders. But the relationship has frayed over how revenue is split and who sets the price. If Waymo goes it alone, it can keep more of the fare and set its own schedule. If it stays, it keeps volume but gives up margin.

The real question is timing. Waymo is expanding fast, adding cities and cars. Uber's app is a great distribution channel, but it's also a middleman. Breaking up lets Waymo control its brand, its pricing, and the customer experience end to end. It's the same calculus any independent business faces when deciding whether to stay on a marketplace or go direct.

Why this matters for us: la gente that rides Waymo through Uber doesn't always know the difference — and when Waymo goes direct, the pricing, the wait times, the customer service all shift. Whatever happens, it's a reminder that the big tech plays are reshaping how we move and who keeps the money.