Magento

In anticipation of Magento’s forthcoming mCommerce product announcement, this post is part of Magento’s mobile-commerce insight series, where we review emerging mCommerce developments & best practices.  We also invite you to follow us on twitter at @magentomobile.

Innovative and interactive applications for the iPhone are thriving, but the following five iPhone apps have set themselves apart from the rest.

eBay Mobile
eBay’s mobile application may be the most user-friendly and interactive app we have seen. From push notifications when you have been out-bid to answering customers’ questions, eBay’s app just about does it all.
PayPal’s integration into the app also allows buyers to pay within the application’s built-in browser- no longer needing to save and come back to the purchase from a computer.
There is also rumor, according to PC World, that eBay Mobile will soon allow users to create an auction using an image you’ve taken with your phone.

Amazon
Also exceeding mobile limitations is the Amazon application. See something in a window that you’d like to compare prices for or make a reminder for? Take a picture of it through the application and Amazon will search for similar items and store it in your wishlist.
The Amazon application also allows you to manage your wishlist, account settings, order history and 1-click settings. And when you’re ready to make a purchase, Amazon’s mobile app redirects your payment through their secure server.

Conde Nast’s Lucky Magazine
Another innovative application, the Lucky Magazine mobile application allows you to shop by particular item- for example, Jimmy Choo’s Aston stilettos- and tells you, based on your location, where you can find the item.
And if you want to take it a step further, you’re only one button away from calling of Lucky’s 200, staffed personal shoppers.

Ralph Lauren
For fashion aficionados, Ralph Lauren’s iPhone application offers features like video clips from 2010 runways shows, designer lookbooks, 360-degree item rotation views and, like the Lucky magazine app, access to your very own personal shopper at a store near you.

Best Buy
The Best Buy mobile application has utility many users have found extremely helpful. Best Buy’s iPhone application allows you to input your rewards account number and receive discounts on your 1-click purchases.
Best Buy also knows that shopping for a gift can be daunting. The mobile application gives you access to the IdeaGiftr Tool to generate ideas specifically for your friend. Generally a useful tool for all!

Overall, eBay’s and Amazon’s iPhone applications seem to be the market leaders in innovative mobile commerce but we suspect future application development to incorporate new technology and follow in their footsteps.