San Jose, Calif. - Online auction giant eBay on Wednesday announced the launch of a new social networking feature, eBay Neighborhoods, that allows eBay users to join one of some 600 online communities that feature message boards, product reviews, photos and social mapping.

"On eBay, people who are passionate about certain brands, trends, celebrities or products have been discovering and trading with one another for years," said eBay vice president Jamie Iannone.

"We hope that eBay Neighborhoods makes this even easier by combining commerce, communication, and community in a way that enhances traditional online buying and selling."

The 600 eBay-created communities available to join at launch cover interests ranging from Weddings to Beyonce and Battlestar Galactica.

Related Links:
http://investor.ebay.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=268122

http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/10/ebay-joins-the-.html

http://neighborhoods.ebay.com/