Any online seller or buyer who uses eBay knows that every second of an auction counts, meaning bidders need a rapid system when listings start heating up.
eBay understands this necessity, which is why they have always focused on providing mobile apps that make the shopping experience convenient and efficient. But what if laptops and mobile apps are no longer the most convenient way to stay up-to-the-minute on your eBay auctions?
On the heels of Apple’s latest product announcement, eBay has revealed its first-ever Apple Watch app, in the hopes it will boost ecommerce activity and give buyers and sellers an easier way to keep track of buying, selling and bidding, all at lightning speed.
The new eBay app allows users to view the status of products they are bidding on and/or selling just by glancing at their wrist – so there’s no need to reach into one’s pocket for a phone. The app also provides the option to set up auction alerts to make it easier for buyers and sellers to keep tabs on their activities.
“We see the internet expanding out to all different platforms, so of course as a marketplace we want to best suit the needs of our customers,” said John Tapley, senior product manager of mobile and wearables at eBay.
The goal of the Apple Watch app is to provide a 10 to 15-second long “glanceable” interaction, which will allow the user to either move on with their day or take an action. It’s worth noting that the app is not designed for browsing listings or initiating purchases – but it will provide users with a convenient way to raise their bids at the touch of a button.
“We’re just at the start of it, so we’ll continue to evolve the feature set over time,” said Tapley. “As online consumers continue to migrate away from computers and move everything towards mobile, it’s critical for eBay to remain relevant to its users and the company is doing everything in its power to stay this way.”
Other ecommerce businesses are also following suit by launching Apple Watch apps, including Zulily, Target, Amazon and Fandango.
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