My first Smartphone was a Motorola MPX 220. That was followed a short time later by an iMate Jam. In both cases, I was impressed with the functionality of the device. The goal was clearly to have the devices run mobile versions of their desktop equivalents. Hence the names Windows Mobile and Word Mobile. As the devices gained power and functionality the applications they ran also became increasingly powerful. In the process the gap between mobile versions and desktop versions has closed.

Well, we’ve come a long way. My iPhone is as or more powerful than the computer I use just a few years ago. Sure there are limits to what a device with a small screen can do, but the power is nothing short of amazing. In fact, we’ve actually come to a point where some iPhone apps ARE the desktop app. Case in point Pangea’s Nanosaur 2. It IS the same game as the desktop.

Since you can now control the laser-toting, flying dinosaur by moving the phone itself, you are drawn into the game more than ever.

It goes further, though. We’ve actually arrived at a point where there are times when the mobile version of an application is not only fantastic, but it’s even better and more user-friendly than the desktop version. Case in point, the new mobile application for eBay.

The iPhone application for eBay was updated recently. It was good before, but it’s even better now. For someone like me who is a casual eBay seller and buyer, there is no longer a reason to go to the full website on my on my iMac or MacBook. The iPhone version does everything I want, and it is faster, has a cleaner interface and is easier to use…

Want to search for an item? You can do that. Want to place it on your watch list? You can do that.

Want to put in a bid? You can do that as well.

You can also sell items, see the messages that you’ve received from other ebay members and, if you so desire, you can respond to the message right from the app. It’s fast, it’s light, it’s simple and it actually is more straight forward than looking at eBay in a full browser. There may be functions missing, but as a casual eBayer, I don’t see them.

I’ve found that after using the iPhone application for a while, going back to the full browser version is a lesson in frustration.

The website is just has too much information. It feels cluttered, whereas the iPhone app has nice linear, simple, clear way to get to everything you want to do.

Are there iPhone apps that you now prefer OVER the desktop or browser version? I’d love to hear about them.