eBay Mobile iPhone Application Review

Developer's Notes

The eBay application for the iPhone is specially designed to run natively on the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch. Using a streamlined interface that is as elegant as it is practical, eBay members can search, bid, and check their activity on the go. Buyers can sneak in that last-minute bid on a hard-to-find item, sellers can check on their sales, and act on time-sensitive information on the spot without a computer eBay is open for business anytime, anywhere on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch.

Features

Leave feedback for sellers and buyers
Search seller's other items
My eBay won items now indicate paid and feedback status
Improved compatibility with future iPhone OS releases
Link to eBay support
Home page hot list now includes details and special deals
Turn off home page hot list photos
View hundreds of search results
Available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish

Shop 'til You Drop with eBay Mobile!

The eBay Mobile iPhone application allows users to shop on demand from anywhere the Apple device can connect to the internet. This free application offers full access to all traditional eBay website features. Users can bid, track sells, pay, and share item descriptions and photos with the click of a button.

After clicking on the eBay Mobile application, users are immediately prompted to sign in. Users can browse as guests if desired, or sign in and have review the "My eBay" section of the user account features. Everything the user has on file through the eBay website can be viewed through the eBay Mobile application.

Once a user has logged in, the shopping fun can begin. A screen pops up to display the items the user is watching, winning, selling, won, and sold during the past month. The tabs are all clickable, so photos and descriptions of the transactions can be seen. Photos load quickly, and appear as small thumbnails on the screen. Users can tap on the images to enlarge, save, and email if desired.

A search tab is always visible at the top of the eBay Mobile screen, making searches for that special antique lamp, or rare baseball "rookie" card a breeze. After searching for an item, users can review the auction highlights all on one concise screen. Separate screen tabs allow users to view the photo images only on screen, or read the item description in a full screen view.

Bidding functions mirror the tabs and process of the eBay website, with last minute bids as the auction clock ticks away. Auction winners can pay via Paypal, just as they do on the regular eBay website. Setting up an item to sell isn't currently available with the mobile application, but may be added in the future. Users can check their eBay messages, and respond to comments by clicking and typing on the iPhone or iTouch keyboard.

Checking feedback and sharing an intriguing auction with friends is as simple as tapping on the iPhone or iTouch screen. It does take a few minutes to adapt to the smaller screen features, after being accustomed to the full size eBay website. The eBay Mobile screen can be enlarged to enhance the specific feature a user wants to view the same way all iPhone and iTouch screens are zoomed. Put two fingers onto the screen, and "pull" the section to be enlarged as big as the Apple device screen allows.

This application is simply fantastic for eBay shopping addicts. The features are easy to use, and even with the smaller screen, viewing and searching are just as fun and uncomplicated as if you were sitting down at a home computer.