As we observed in our last journal, time is money, or more to the point, apps that save us time are worth a lot of money. The recent valuation of private driver app Uber set the business at an eye-watering $18 billion.

Uber co-founder Garrett Camp’s startup studio Expa has recently launched its first post-Uber offering, Reserve. The new ‘personal dining concierge’ app offers users a list of partner restaurants (currently only in New York, Boston and LA) where they can request a table. If there is a vacancy, the restaurant will receive a photo of you so the host can recognise you when you arrive, making you feel like a regular even if it’s your first visit.

After the your meal there's no need to pull out your wallet or phone, the bill is automatically debited from your card, including the tip and Reserve's small concierge fee, making payment effortless. The app also lets you leave feedback in order to improve both your dining and Reserve experience.

New levels of convenience are emerging and it's interesting to see different industries adopting new models to help them attract new customers.