Uber-heated battle as mobile apps rattle Asia's taxis

Uber and other taxi booking apps are giving traditional taxis in Southeast Asia a run for their money - but it's also invoking a turf war. - Uber.com

Southeast Asia's notorious taxi market is undergoing a shake-up as booking apps gain popularity in a region that has long endured inefficient cartels and price-gouging drivers.

San Francisco-based Uber, which allows customers to hail taxis or private vehicles via smartphones and pay with a credit card, is expanding rapidly in the region while fending off legal and regulatory challenges in various markets across the world.