Beginning later this year, Telefonica O2 smart phones sold in the U.K. will come pre-loaded with an eBay app, the companies announced today.
Telefonica, one of the largest telecommunications operators in Europe, will include the pre-loaded eBay app on its Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry, Symbian, RIM and Bada devices. Initially, the app will only be pre-loaded on phones sold in the U.K., but Telefonica says it plans to add the app to devices sold in other countries soon.
"Deals like this are great for customers and great for brands," says Glyn Povah, head of Content at Telefonica 02 Europe. "They allow us to bring our customers the best of breed content and services from the brands they know and love, while also helping brands… stand out in the increasingly cluttered app marketplace."
With smart phones now outselling PCs, the future of shopping for our customers is mobile
This is the first pre-loaded eBay app ever, and the first app Telefonica has included on its phones, according to news reports.
eBayers have shown a big affection for mobile shopping. In 2010, eBay shoppers bought more than $2 billion worth of merchandise using mobile devices. On eBay U.K., mobile sales during the month of December accounted for 10 percent of all purchases.
"With smart phones now outselling PCs, the future of shopping for our customers is mobile," says Steve Yankovich, eBay's vice president of Mobile. "Today's deal means that 02's 22 million customers will find it even easier to access the world's largest marketplace wherever they are. We will continue to invest in mobile technology and work with partners to extend our market-leading position in m-commerce and to give customers the shopping experience they demand."
eBay hopes to increase mobile sales totals to $4 billion this year.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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