Suffice to say that Apple’s (AAPL) iPad has, at the very least met, the enormous expectations its build-up created prior to being released on the market earlier in the spring.
Current estimates indicate that about 2 million units have already been sold in the United States, with new applications rolling out on what seems like a daily basis. And we’ve seen quite a bit of news lately reporting how big an effect the iPad is having on the sales of competing devices like the Amazon (AMZN) Kindle and the Nook e-reader from Barnes and Noble (BKS).
Strangely, in the midst of iPad hysteria, we hadn’t heard much about any e-commerce specific tools for the new Apple toy. That is, until today, with the announcement that comparison shopping engine NexTag has released its new mobile shopping application for iPad
The application is free and incorporates the leading elements of NexTag’s online shopping services, giving iPad users “the tools they need to save while at home or on the go”, according to the NexTag press release.
Among the features available in the application, several mirror existing tools already well-known to NexTag web shoppers, including:
–Product and price comparison from thousands of retailers
–Easy navigation through popular product categories
–Product sorting via lowest prices, top brands, specifications, etc.
–The ability to find local store locations via Google Maps
–Wishlist and favorite product list building
–Pre-transaction tax and shipping cost estimates
Additionally, the application has been optimized specifically for the expanded viewing area on the iPad, providing greater clarity for images and text and giving shoppers more information to view on a single screen.
The application is available for download via the iTunes App Store is compatible with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
While retailers such as Amazon and Gap and even eBay have unveiled shopping applications since the iPad’s release, this is the first we’re hearing of a comparison site bringing its technology to the tablet computer. But it certainly won’t be the last.
The meteoric rise of the iPad’s popularity comes along at a time when mobile commerce is already gaining traction with many shoppers. As such, you can expect to see other shopping sites following in NexTag’s footsteps in the very near future as they begin competing with each other for mobile shopping and iPad customers.
We want to hear from you. If you’re an iPad user and/or you’ve tried out NexTag’s shopping application, let us know what you think in a comment below!
