Websites as desktop applications are becoming and increasingly popular trend as WiFi and mobile internet increase their reach and user base. Rather than connect to the internet and direct the browser to a specific website, the user can experience the website as a regular computer program. Many times desktop versions allow users to broaden their experience through increased or new features. I have chosen 5 websites of the tens of millions out there that I believe to be better experienced as a desktop application rather than through their actual website. Feel free to add your favorites in the comment section.
eBay. The popular auction website’s desktop app allows for more targeted searches so that shoppers can find what they really want. eBay’s desktop app also performs the up-sell flawlessly by seamlessly integrating related items that the shopper may enjoy in addition to the item up for bids. Paying for items with the eBay desktop app also occurs with ease. If you are on a tight budget though, the eBay desktop may not be for you. My first month with it I went on a shopping spree…I am still paying for that one.
Twitter. There are endless desktop applications for the popular micro-blogging service – and we certainly haven’t seen the end of them. The most notable are Seesmic Desktop, Twhirl, and TweetDeck. Each one allows the user to have a more holistic experience with twitter by adding quicker and more exact search and reply features. Many twitter applications now come with a FaceBook counterpart for those who prefer to cross-up their social networking activities.
Hulu. Released just two days ago, Hulu’s desktop app makes the Hulu experience an almost real TV experience. The Hulu desktop app gets right down to business – less discussion, less distraction, more TV. Could we ask for anything more? (Actually, international viewing would be nice but we’ll save that one for another day…)
Craigslist. Craigslist is probably the worst looking website currently in the Alexa Top 50 trafficked websites, and navigating the beast is sometimes difficult. Luckily a few developers took a notion to clean things up and so the Craigslist desktop app was born. CLdesktop serves up sleeker and more dynamic looking bostings by organizing the pictures, prices, and description in a more aesthetic format. CLdesktop’s search abilites are excellent, and the service even provides up-to-the-minute updates for saved search terms and new listings.
YouTube. Like any user-generated content community that allows anyone to create a video on any subject YouTube is a “loud” place. There is constant action from videos, suggested videos, related videos, mean and heartless commentators, and our favorite advertisers. DeskTube cuts a little bit of the loudness out, along with the advertisements, and encourages the user to just focus on the clips – instead of the latest derogatory joke, snotty remark, or namecalling fad any commentator can come up with.
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