Having a publicly available API instantly turns any service into a platform, allowing developers to utilize its functionality and data in their own projects. Whether this platform turns out to be a strong one is depending on how good the original service is. In TaskRabbit’s case, the service is really good and the announcement of its own API should spark ideas for said developers.
TaskRabbit allows you to outsource any number of tasks, including shopping for you, delivering things, and even putting furniture together.
The company has also announced three launch partners who have already integrated TaskRabbit into their app. While this might not sound exciting, the company pointed out a really killer use case for why an app would want to utilize the TaskRabbit data and community:
Imagine a world where you can log on to your favorite productivity or to-do list app, and with a click of a button, you could instantly outsource your to-dos to a fully-vetted and background-checked individual. Well, that’s now a reality with our API’s per user integration.
Astrid, the personal assistant app that helps people manage their to-dos, has integrated the TaskRabbit API into its Android, Web, and iPhone apps. Astrid has taken steps to ensure that users can manage the entire Task posting experience within the Astrid app, and the UX is very consistent with TaskRabbit’s. Astrid is the first to bring the TaskRabbit experience to the Android. Producteev, the task management app, has also integrated the TaskRabbit’s API into its Web app. As our friends at Producteev announced last month, they were the first to use our API to allow users to outsource any Task directly from Producteev to our community of TaskRabbits – in just one click.
How cool would it be to have something like “build ikea desks” on your to-do list and then automatically find people to do it for you on TaskRabbit? Well apparently, now you can.
Just this week we’ve seen some amazing integrations between sites and services thanks to a publicly available API and stream of data. For example, the Trapit and Pinterest integration is absolutely brilliant, and it’s only a matter of time before someone builds a killer app based off of Gilt Groupe deals.
As a person who owns their own concierge service and has lots of experience running errands I would have to say their terms and conditions would not hold up in court. Task Rabbit is the one responsible for linking independent contractors to the customer. They are providing a tool for contractors to make money and as we all should know contractors must provide their own tools and equipment. They do provide a hiring process that involves a potential task rabbit to provide a short video biography. From this video they determine if this independent contractor is suitable for hire or not. What the video doesn't cover is if this person is licensed or insured to do business in residential and commercial properties. Their website shows task rabbits who are not employees wearing Task Rabbit shirts. Independent contractors and sub contractors have to use their own work clothes and equipment. Using any equipment or wearing a shirt that clearly makes the assumption that you are an employee rather than a contractor makes you an employee. I see some of the services they are providing from home improvement to mechanical repair requires licensing in the state of PA. Not sure about other states. If you do home improvement as a contractor you have to be insured, have a PA contractor license number and a business and sales tax license. If you were a small business, how would you like it if task rabbit came to your neighborhood and started under bidding your jobs because they didn't have all these expenses? I've already written my congressman and will do so many more times. I do not want them in my state. Their process is immoral and when you have people bidding online to clean someone's bathroom or walk a dog, it's just down right degrading. As a customer or business, you should never let someone in your home or office who is not insured, bonded and is an actual legitimate business. If they get hurt on your property then you are liable. That's why you always ask for a certificate of insurance. These things are for your protection and for the protection of the service provider and are required by law. Even if you want to pick up merchandise at a store and deliver it to someone for a fee you are required to have a PUC and cargo insurance in PA. There is no way that what they are doing is legal and once the word gets out to the right people this business will expire. There are a lot of unforeseen things that can happen in this business and all it will take to bring down this company is one rape, murder or serious accident. Investors beware!
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