They're everywhere, even in our Top 50 Mobile Innovators list, but not many people are clued up to taxi apps yet.
Applications like Hailo, Kabbee and ZabCab are winning legions of followers, but very few people are using apps to find and book taxis.
At least, not in London, where only 1.5 per cent of people book via smartphone app.
Research from Wheely shows that 74 per cent of Londoners still favour phoning up a taxi firm and giving their details verbally despite the speed and convenience offered via apps.
Wheely co-founder Anton Chirkunov, said: "London likes to think of itself as a modern city but some of the habits of Londoners belong in the last century. Like their grandparents before them, 74% of Londoners will book a minicab over the phone, rather than use an app."
While the usage figures are relatively low, the numbers of people using cab and taxi apps is rising fast, especially as the companies behind them take advantage of location and mobile payment technology: just look at our 2012 Top 50 Mobile Innovators list.
And with companies like Wheely offering free wifi in all its vehicles, there is a reduced need to roll out the staple taxi driver conversation starters like: "Wow it's hot/cold/rainy", "Been busy?" and the perennial favourite "What time are you on until?"
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