Five years ago today, July 10, 2008, Apple launched the App Store. To celebrate, the tech-behemoth is giving away five games (Badland, Infinity Blade II, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, Tiny Wings, and Where's My Water ) and five apps (Barefoot World Atlas, Day One (journal/Diary), How to Cook Everything, Over and Traktor DJ) for a limited time.
In the five years since the launch of the App Store, personal computing and smartphone usage has evolved significantly. App developer Phill Ryu told Wired magazine: “Software distribution was absolutely primitive before the App Store...It deserves just as much credit as the original iPhone hardware and iOS in defining our modern smartphone experience.”
The App Store has trained us to treat our smartphones as convenience tools for our everyday lives. Purchases require nothing more than a mindless tap on the phone rather than a hunt for a credit card followed by the typing in of the whole card number.
Mac and iOS developer Steve Streza also told Wired: “Today, people are paying for apps without trials, just on faith that it’ll solve a problem for them or entertain them.”
There is no doubt the App Store was a cultural phenomenon and software game changer.
Top apps of all time
The App Store's most popular paid-for iPhone apps ever are:
- Angry Birds
- Fruit Ninja
- Doodle Jump
- Cut the Rope
- Angry Birds Seasons
- WhatsApp Messenger
- Camera+
- Words with Friends
- Tiny Wings
- Angry Birds Space
The most popular free iPhone apps are:
- Pandora Radio
- YouTube
- Skype
- Words With Friends Free
- The Weather Channel
- Temple Run
- Google Search
Source: Apple