Beyond the Browser: eBay Desktop Changes User Experience

"Applications built on Adobe AIR, like eBay Desktop, take Rich Internet Applications out of the browser and put them on the desktop," said Ron Rogowski, principal analyst, Forrester Research. "These desktop applications enable occasionally connected use, customized content view, and a branded experience that can act as a platform for closer relationships with customers."

Because eBay Desktop utilizes real-time data while connected, eBay buyers can more closely manage multiple listings and search queries with continuously updated information. By storing searches and bid histories locally on eBay Desktop, users can locate and move between the items and listings they are most interested in more quickly.

"Improving the buyer experience is the top priority for eBay and a promise that we've made to our entire community," said John Donahoe, president of eBay Marketplaces. "eBay Desktop, a new homepage, and some exciting new social commerce tools are a few of the announcements we'll be making over the coming weeks and are part of a long-term strategy to again set the standard for what it means to have a great online shopping experience."

Formerly code-named "San Dimas," eBay Desktop began as a prototype out of the eBay Disruptive Innovation program, and was launched into private beta on June 11, 2007. The public beta is initially available in the U.S. and the company plans to expand its presence into additional markets in Q4 2007. eBay Desktop uses eBay's APIs to deliver eBay data dynamically without having to visit eBay.com, and can be downloaded for free at desktop.ebay.com. Built on Adobe® AIR(TM), eBay Desktop runs on Windows XP and Vista as well as Mac OS X 10.4 and higher.