eBay is launching its new desktop tool this week that was code-named Project San Dimas during its development stage. eBay has been working with Adobe on the Rich Interaction Application based on the Adobe AIR platform that places an enriched eBay experience on the desktop. The project was announced in June at the eBay Developers Conference, and eBay is announcing the public beta version of eBay Desktop available today at the Adobe MAX 2007 North America conference.
eBay Desktop is still in beta so may have some kinks - precisely the reason eBay wants users to test it and provide feedback. eBay's Alan Lewis said the application provides a smoother navigation for users. eBay Desktop does not access eBay through a web browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox. Instead, it users eBay's Web Services. Lewis said as a result, eBay was not limited by browser constraints in developing the application, giving developers more freedom in creating a better user interface.
eBay Desktop actually provides more information to users when they are searching for items than on the eBay website. When you place your cursor in the eBay Desktop search box, a list of most popular searches appears. As you begin typing your search term, the list changes to those popular searches beginning with the letters you type.
Once you hit the search button, eBay Desktop brings back results along with a list of keywords included in the listing titles of search results that shoppers can use to refine their search. For example, a search for "Depression Glass" brings back results along with a list of words with plus and minus buttons next to each word. Clicking on the minus button next to the word "Hocking" will bring back refreshed search results for "Depression Glass" minus any listings that include the word Hocking. Clicking on the plus button next to the word "Hocking" would bring back only results for Depression Glass that included the word Hocking in the title.
In addition to helping shoppers refine their searches, the keyword list can be useful for sellers who wish to know which keywords other sellers use in their listings to help them create better auction titles.
You can also see a list of categories to help you refine your search, and you can filter by various conditions, such as type of listing or by seller. Users can also set up alerts to let them know when listings are ended. Clicking on a "Feeds" tab brings back listings from your favorite searches.
Lewis said third-party developers can use Adobe Air to build their own versions of eBay Desktop with additional functionality.
http://desktop.ebay.com
