eBay will extend its reach to mobile users thanks to a new deal with Verizon. Owners of Android smartphones will have automatic access to the eBay app when they buy or upgrade to a new device.
Throughout the year, new Android smartphones powered by Verizon will be equipped with the eBay app right out-of-the-box, eBay explained.
A reader who saw the news wondered if the deal would result in new and return users, or if Verizon customers would see it as bloatware (the name for pre-installed apps that users find annoying).
eBay also announced it had struck a deal with hardware maker Acer last week which will preinstall eBay homepage shortcuts on its new laptops.
See the full announcement on the eBay corporate blog.
Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). She is a member of the Online News Association (Sep 2005 - present) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (Mar 2006 - present). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com. See disclosure at EcommerceBytes.com/disclosure/.