We've asked both Google and Uber regarding the timing and the reasoning behind the move. There are a number of potential explanations, although they're not always clear cut. Alphabet did recently led a $1 billion investment in Lyft and may have a conflict of interest in offering direct Uber access, but the ridesharing company is also open to using Waymo cars. There's also a chance that Uber might prefer users to rely on its own app (Maps can still point you in Uber's direction), but it was still going to make money either way -- it's losing an avenue for some customers. Whatever the rationale, hailing a car just became slightly more complicated.