Outbid’s Latest App Update Lets Users Listen To Live Auctioneers On Their iDevices

Outbid’s real-time mobile auctions are neat enough as is, but the company has just pushed out an iOS app update that packs a much-needed feature to make the auction experience complete: users can now hear live auctioneers hawking their goods.

But let’s back up a bit first. In case you’re not yet familiar, Outbid allows users to create fee-free auctions through which they can sell their pointless junk. A familiar concept to be sure — I still can’t quite believe eBay has been around since 1995 — but Outbid’s big draw is that it turns that auction into an interactive spectacle that’s typically over in minutes as opposed to hours or days.

Every time a user places another bid, additional time is added to a big clock smack in the middle of the screen — it’s not entirely unlike QuiBid’s system, except (y’know) much less shady. As silly as it sounds, things get awfully tense whenever someone throws their hat into the ring at the last minute, too.

The ability for a seller (or a designated helper) to narrate the auction has been a hallmark of Outbid’s web app, and now iOS users can get in on the fun. That said, you can’t actually comment on an auction from your iOS device just yet, so those limber lips will need to wait until you’re ready to run an auction from your desktop.

The update also packs some visual enhancements for iPad users — bigger buttons for easier bidding, as well as the ability to swipe to bring up more information about the product you’re bidding on. Oh, and just in case you’re not very good at the whole process, there’s a new demo mode just to get you into the swing of things. Thoughtful, no?