Auto Trader revs up with new dedicated Apple iPad app
We like technology at PoloDriver.com, especially any technology aimed for use on Apple’s mobile iOS devices. Last week car-buying website Auto Trader launched its first dedicated iPad app, introducing a new way for potential car buyers to find the wheels that will transport them to the next stage of their motoring history. It looks good, is fiendishly simple to use, and utilises all the great functionality of the Apple tablet. Based on an image-led interface, the cost-free Auto Trader app makes browsing for cars visually appealing, and meticulous search options let users narrow down their finds to the exact specification they require. A particularly useful element is the ‘garage’ function, which stores saved cars and results, letting buyers compare up to four cars side-by-side.
A ‘browse bar’ also allows users to navigate and jump to a point in their search results based on essential car-buying criteria, such as mileage, location or price. There’s also the ability to share found cars with friends and family by email, seamlessly integrating with the iPad’s ‘Mail’ application. Web links to dealers, contact details, extensive swiping galleries and even active maps are all useful tools which add to the Auto Trader app experience. ‘Our iPad app is a new way to search Auto Trader for your perfect car,’ said Nick Gee, Director of Mobile at Auto Trader. ‘Our main objective was to retain the essential search element of Auto Trader and yet enhance and redefine the user experience for iPad users. We will continue to improve the experience based on the feedback we receive.’
Autotrader.co.uk is the UK’s no 1 motoring website, with over 10.3 million monthly unique users, who carry out over 106 million searches on new and used vehicles (source: Auto Trader audit, January 2009), and the new app complements the website perfectly. In the days since this author worked at an Auto Trader local office, much has changed, and the dated-looking, flat ads I used to design have now given way to swiping, interactive media, and the Auto Trader app is genuinely impressive. Trouble is, it’s so easy to use and understand, that it could lead to all sorts of trouble and no end of potential dream purchases. Let me see, 2007-2010 Polo GTI in black, red, silver or white…
