eBay to Launch on O2’s i-mode

O2 is set to announce it has signed up auction giant eBay to its i-mode mobile internet service. The service, which can already be accessed via i-mode enabled handsets, is thought to be receiving its official launch soon. The i-mode version of eBay provides most of the same functionality as the regular internet service, including the ability to bid, search the auction site and monitor the progress of auctions using the ‘my eBay’ function. eBay has already made its appearance on i-mode in a handful of geographies including Australia, France and Singapore. 

eBay users won’t be able to pay for purchases on their mobiles, however ? auction winners will have to return to their computers to use PayPal or pay offline. O2 is hoping the service will appeal most to auction addicts who want to register last-minute bids while away from their PCs.

eBay took its first steps into the mobile world in the UK when it launched eBay Anywhere last year. eBay Anywhere essentially works an SMS alert system, sending notifications to users of the auction site when they have won or lost an auction, or have been outbid. Both eBay Anywhere and eBay via i-mode were developed by mobile content company Volantis. Continue