iphoneapplab.com

Even though eBay does not promote third party products on their site the eBay developers team has written a blog entry about the iPhoneMyeBay application. This is so exciting for us and for everyone in the iPhone community.

This is tremendous news about how we worked with eBay to create the application. If you do not know already the name of our company is SilkSystem Solutions (as seen on the bottom of the www.iphoneapplab.com front page).

Read the whole eBay Developer Program blog entry here.

Here is the first paragraph of the article.

“Mobile eBay shopping experience just got sexier. Thanks to SilkSystem Solutions’ recent launch of the first eBay shopping application for iPhone that is bidding (PlaceOffer API) enabled. iPhone users can now shop eBay in style.” Sunny Li, eBay

Needless to say when I answered Jason’s call this morning from ZD Net I was not in the best of shape after having just released version 2 of the application. But when Jason introduced himself to me, having no sleep did not matter much (after removing the ‘S’ key from cheek).

Jason and I discussed the great new functionality of 2.0 with the addition of searching. Working on a 3.0 version was mentioned but what will be included is still up in the air. Have any ideas? Let us know in the forums.

The biggest compliment in our feeling though is Jason’s first sentence -

“My favorite iPhone application to date is iPhoneMyeBay…” Jason O’Grady, ZD Net, The Apple Core

We couldn’t ask for anything more than a very happy user of the application.

As you will read in the article one of Jason’s key questions to me was about the future of the product and what we intended to do with the product. Jason thinks just like me. For us to make a great product and to keep it around there has to be viable business model behind it. It can’t be “donation” ware or some other such which gets old fast. So in Jason’s article you will learn how we support ourselves on this endeavor and have planned to continue future releases of new functionality. Here is a one sentence summary; eBay pays us a percentage of the seller listing fees, but only if a buyer wins an auction by bidding through the iPhoneMyeBay application. So this puts the burden in the right place. The buyer does not have to pay extra for the tool, the seller does not pay any extra and eBay shares their revenue because more auctions have taken place. A win for everyone.

Read Jason’s fantastic article, iPhoneMyeBay adds Searching, about version 2, its features and our efforts with IME (so named by Jason) - liking the name here:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=743

For those of you interested in the link to the application on eBay. It is listed under their solution directory

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SolutionsDirectory

Just search in the Solution Directory for either iPhone or iphonemyebay and it will pop up. The direct link to the application is below:

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SolutionsDirectory&page=details&solutionId=5451
This also verifies that the application has passed the Compatible Application Check which is a strict quality test eBay puts the application through prior to qualifying it as a Compatible eBay Application and allowing the application to perform placement of bids on auctions.

The only applications that can use the eBay Application Compatible logo are ones that have gone through this testing and passed. Thus you will see the logo here.

Version 2.0 has now been released into production. Immediately when you go to iPhoneMyeBay.com you will notice a difference. You will be greeted by a new main menu to quickly access the new features. I hope that you enjoy searching, watching and bidding. And may your bid be the winning one.

About Version 2.0

We have done quite a bit to iPhoneMyeBay when we took it from Version 1.5 to Version 2.0. There is a new look and feel to certain areas for easier navigation and quick access. Key features have been added which many of you have asked for and minor additions / improvements have been made throughout the application. We really feel now that this is a mini-eBay on your iPhone for quick searching, watching, and bidding.

New Features

• Open access - that’s right. Want to just search or check an item quickly? No need to log in. Just type in your search keyword or item number and away you go.
• Basic Search - Keywords and item number searching. Tip: Check out the new help section on searching for tips on how to filter your search with optional search operators.
• Advanced Search - Want to only see items in “Consumer Electronics” or some other category? No problem with the advanced search. Filter your search and sort it a number of ways.
• Add to your Watch List -Found that perfect item while searching? Well just with one click you can add it to your watch list.
• Remove from your Watch List - Already won those items? Clean out your watch list for faster access.
• Help section - Have a question as to what “Hits” means on the item details screen? Check out the new help system.

We really hope that you find iPhoneMyeBay useful for getting that eBay item. Being avid eBay buyers ourselves this version is exciting and we can’t wait to really use it from the road, train, airport, or even on the couch (ok done that one already). Don’t think we are stopping here though. Already the team has come up with some great suggestions and we hope you do too. <You may notice there is room on the main screen for new icons ;)> If you do please drop them in our Suggestion forum box in the forums area.

Search, Watch, Bid!

Some Screenshots

Can you believe it is already the end of the month? Well we are squeaking release 2.0 of iPhoneMyeBay out today.  It includes what many of you have mentioned in your blogs as the next natural addition - search.  But better yet it includes not only keyword and item number basic searching, but a new dashboard desktop for easy navigation, advanced search features, and the ability to add / remove items from your watch list - all from your iPhone!  Now you can search, watch, and bid.

Below is a screenshot as a small teaser:

 Have feedback or suggestions make sure to post them in our forum for suggestions.  This lets us know what you would like to see next. As well feel free to sign up for our email updates and be in the know of what is upcoming by adding your email to the front page. Your email is not released to any third party.

As we upgrade the system you may receive a temporary upgrade screen.  We will migrate the new code as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience.

Happy searching, watching and bidding.

Thanks to Chris Davies at myiTablet for putting a great quick blurb out about the iPhoneMyeBay application.

But Chris we will have to talk about this obsession with porcelain kitten figurines that apparently you have and bid on at eBay.

And Chris keep a close eye because search is just around the corner

Interesting in rating the iPhoneMyeBay application?  The application was just posted the guys over at everythingiphone.com (recommended for a nice application list experience).  You can click on the following link and write a review and / or rate the application (no account needed on the site although I am sure everythingiPhone would love for you to join).

Rate the iPhoneMyeBay.com application (Click on >Rating just below the description)

Good morning all.

Well we have caught up on a little sleep after launching with bidding two nights ago now. So I thought it might be a good time to let everyone know some of the things we have in the works for the application and give you a sneak preview.

But first let me explain why we chose to provide the watch list and bidding features first. The reason is two fold:

1. We believe that the biggest potential issues lay in the unknowns so we like to tackle those. In this case doing an eBay search is minimal compared to watch list and bidding.
2. The most compelling reason to me personally though was that the real key item I miss out on the road is being able to bid on my watch items. When someone outbids me I get this nice email on my mobile device but have trouble getting another bid in.

Ok now for the good stuff - what are we working on? Even while we were going through the Application Compatibility Check with eBay we were working on version 2.0 of the application (currently the production copy is version 1.5).

Chris Davies nailed it this morning in his article on my iTablet.

Version 2.0 will include the following:

• Search with out logging in.
• Add / Remove from your watch list.
• Bidding on any searched item.

And maybe there is some ;), but lets leave it at that. I hope everyone is enjoying using iPhoneMyeBay and we are anxiously working on version 2.0. If you have comments / feedback / suggestions we are all ears. Please let us know the good, the bad, and the ugly whether by leaving comments here in the blog or adding messages in the comments/suggestions forum.

Stay tuned here for more updates.

Good hunting and successful bidding!

For those of you interested here is the link to the application in the eBay Solutions Directory.

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SolutionsDirectory&page=details&solutionId=5451

You can also find this by searching for “eBay Solutions Directory ” in your favorite search engine.  Once you are on the page just type in “iPhone” in the ebay solutions search and our entry will appear.

The eBay Solutions Directory can also be found here - http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?SolutionsDirectory

Here are some more sightings of iPhoneMyeBay on various sites and blogs. Missing yours? Add a comment below.

Others:

• iPhone Widget List
• InnerMindMedia - iPhone Application List
• ModMyiPhone
• iPhone Phinds
• NewsVine