The Apple iOS app store is about to turn 10. First launched globally on July 10 2008, the now synonymous digital storefront for Apple users will soon pass the 10-year milestone, come next Tuesday.
Apple revolutionized how people consumed content by being one of the first global leaders in providing users with quality content through the use of a digital distribution platform, something that is commonplace today.
When it first launched in 2008 with the Apple iPhone, the App Store offered Apple enthusiasts with a humble 500 apps, today, that number is simply dwarfed by the sheer volume of content on offer, with over unique visitors from over 155 countries, downloading and purchasing apps on both the iPhone and iPad platforms.
To get a better look at the current metrics and landscape of the App Store, App Annie, an app analytics firm, who from 2010 onward, has measured traffic on Apple’s distribution platform, kindly put up a report, outlining the most downloaded and most profitable apps available.
Some of Apple’s top developers and brass commented on the momentous occasion, celebrating and reflecting on the past decade.
Phil Schiller, the Senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Apple stated,
“In its first decade, the App Store has surpassed all of our wildest expectations — from the innovative apps that developers have dreamed up, to the way customers have made apps part of their daily lives — and this is just the beginning. We could not be more proud of what developers have created and what the next 10 years have in store.”
Longtime iOS developer and creator of the popular app, Overcast, Marco Arment shared his thoughts on the App Store,
“Since day one, the App Store has been by far the easiest way for developers to reach the most people with our apps. It eliminated the friction and overhead of setting up our own distribution and payment systems, making development far more accessible to everyone and letting us focus on our true passion: making the best apps we can. Over its 10 years so far, the App Store has developed into the richest, most diverse, and most accessible software ecosystem the world has ever seen.”
”There was an incredible sense of anticipation and excitement the day the App Store launched”, said Chad Evans, the Senior vice president of Product Development for Major League Baseball. Evans continued, stating, “getting to see MLB At Bat listed among the first 500 apps, but we don’t think anyone realized then the immense impact these apps would have on the ways fans experience sports. We feel fortunate to be part of the historic growth of the App Store these last 10 years. It’s exciting to think what opportunities the next 10 will bring as we continue working with Apple to connect fans more closely to their favourite teams and the game of baseball.”
Gaming has been a big part of Apple’s success with the App sSore, with titles such as Temple Run and Angry Birds, showcasing to the world, the potential of gaming through touch-based input. Temple Run’s creators and founder of Imangi Studios, Keith Shepherd and Natalia Luckyanova shared their thoughts on the last decade:
“The App Store and iPhone changed our lives. Our first game, Imangi, launched the day the App Store opened. Fast forward 10 years, and we’ve created over 10 games, including Temple Run, which has been downloaded over a BILLION times. Our studio has grown from the two of us to a team of 35. None of this would have been possible without the App Store.”
Nintendo’s own Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario shared his thoughts on launching a Mario game on mobile platforms for the first time, stating:
“We are very happy that we are able to deliver Super Mario Run, a new Super Mario experience that could be played with just one hand on iPhone, to hundreds of millions of consumers because of the App Store. The App Store allows us to share the joy of Nintendo games with many new audiences, and we will continue striving to provide unique and new game experiences to App Store customers.”
It’s impossible not to mention the popular puzzle game, Candy Crush, which further helped elevate the success of the App Store. Riccardo Zacconi, the CEO of King, the developers of the popular title, stated:
“We launched Candy Crush Saga on the App Store over five years ago and it’s been hugely beneficial, allowing us to reach a brand new global audience. Our games have been played in all seven continents, including Antarctica! That shows just how influential and far-reaching the App Store has become.”
Apple’s App Store also innovated in terms of introducing to the world, the concept of in-app-purchases, something that was introduced in 2008. Horace Dediu, an Analyst for the company Asymco touched upon the matter, stating:
“The App Store completely changed the way people access and pay for software and services. Only through the power of a software ecosystem can subscriptions emerge and grow to such a level. The App Store created a means for others to become successful — many more than could possibly be imagined in ways that could not possibly be imagined — and freed people to be creative in unforeseen dimensions.”
Apple opened the gates of digital distribution on a global scale, ultimately not only changing the landscape of how people consume media but popularizing the smartphone and tablet industry altogether.
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