Next Generation Shopping

Shopping.com had a big announcement at the eBay Developers Conference. A complete revamp of the API is in place (version 3). The new API will support REST and SOAP protocol formats. Phase I is to be released in mid-August, with a feature set focused on search type integrations. The product specs and reviews will not be included in the initial phase. The rest of the functionality for the API will be released in Q1 ’08. The current API will remain available for at least one year after the new API is fully released (estimated Q1 ’09). Documentation for the new API is slated to be released in Mid-to-Late July.

They’ve added a new part of their site dedicated to their partner developer network. For starters they’ve launched a blog and application gallery located at http://developer.shopping.com. Planned for Q3 are several enhancements including Forums, Documentation, Sample Code and a Knowledge Base.

With the added protocol support and documentation, this should continue to give Shopping.com the edge as the strongest API overall in comparison shopping industry.

I’ll be sure to continue coverage as they roll it out. More on the eBay Developers blog.

Today wraps up the final day of a fantastic eBay Developers conference.  The conference was a great success (with the exception of a lunch-time skit that went ary), and if you can believe it a better time than Vegas!  Ok, now I’m probably just lying.  Anyhow, Boston was a great time.  Below are a few of the most interesting highlights from the conference. 

• Adobe demoed their Air and Flex technologies.  Flex Beta 3 was unveiled for users to begin developing with.  Some really fun apps and aesthetically-pleasing  components have already been created.  Check out this one called DisplayShelf.
• eBay’s Project “San Dimas” was demoed by Alan Lewis. They’ve opened up beta-testing availability to all those at the conference.  I hope to be checking it out first hand shortly.  For those who have never heard of it, the project showcases an enhanced user interface experience.  Where eBay lacks Web 2.0-AJAXY-MacOSX GUI fun, this picks it up and more.  The backend technology is Adobe’s Air and Flex so tons of cool effects are used. More details can be found at the Project Sand Dimas blog or there is another writeup here.
• eBay launched a Shopping Web Services API which is a lightweight version of their current API that drops out all the bidding and user interaction.  This is for those looking to build shopping portals, etc.  Rob Cross put up a blog entry here.  As Borat would say, “That’s niice, I like.”
• Came a cross a web-based on-demand development environment called Bungee Connect.  It promises to make coding, from anywhere, much easier.  We’ll see if that holds true as I’ll be beta testing this shortly (thanks Brad)!  Curtis Gavin has a post here. 
• A session on Building Shopping Portals gave a good overview on how to utilize eBay’s API to create niche shopping websites and earn revenue.  The session broke down the online shopper into six groups: Enthusiast Shopper, Power Shopper, Surgical Shopper “New to Net” Shopper, Bargain Shopper, Reluctant Shopper.  The ones listed in bold were said to be the most important.  Bargain shopper was left out because of their low loyalty rate.
• Shopping.com had some great news about enhancements to their API, which I’ll be posting about later today.

There is tons more coverage over at the eBay Dev Blog. so check it out, and be sure to come out to the conference next year if you missed it.