Pocket Auctions for eBay review

Although Android users have recently been given an official Facebook app and have thereby gained some kind of parity with their iPhone-owning chums, the sad fact remains that Apple’s device is getting the lion’s share of love when it comes to famous names.

eBay is one such online brand which has decided to plant its flag firmly in the iPhone’s territory. An official app exists on the iPhone and it’s neat enough, although it should be noted that it doesn’t offer users the full functionality of the main site.

While Android fans can’t brag that they have a similarly sanctioned eBay client, they can nevertheless be pretty smug about the fact that the one that is currently available blows the iPhone variant out of the water.

Pocket Auctions for eBay is a third-party app created by Bonfire Media. It’s been available previously on other mobile devices, but this Android interpretation is arguably the best yet; so much of eBay’s functionality is carried over that you never really feel like you’re getting a second-rate experience when you use it – something that can often be said for eBay’s self-created iPhone version.

Browsing for items is blissfully simple, and the app is cleverly structured so that you only have to download large images and data when you want to learn a little more about the item in question.

Another neat feature is the ability to set up alerts which will automatically trigger when certain auctions are about to close. You can configure these for things you’ve already placed a bid on or items that you have on your watch list and are about to end.

It doesn’t stop there, though; Pocket Auctions for eBay also boasts a live chat feature where you can converse with other users and highlight areas that require improvement or hand out hints and tips about how to best use the app.

There’s also a barcode scanner which allows you to automatically search for an item on eBay. So if you’re in a store and you want to see if a DVD is cheaper online, you simply snap the barcode with your phone and Pocket Auctions for eBay will attempt to locate a copy. Sadly this feature is a little inconsistent – we tried several different things and none actually showed up on eBay itself - but it’s a neat little bonus.

The biggest issue with the app is that you can’t list items – but then we’re not sure that is something you’d want to do from your mobile phone anyway. Regardless, if you’re keen to sell items then you might find this effort to be something of a disappointment.

Still, the fact that Pocket Auctions for eBay puts eBay’s own iPhone app to shame speaks volumes about its overall quality. It’s also a free download, so there really is no excuse not to try it out.