Brief history

It seems incredible to think that there was a time when there were no apps, and the fact that they have only been around for a relatively short period is even more astonishing when considering their current prominence in society.

Although computers have apps, people primarily use them on mobile devices and tablets. Nowadays, even basic phone functions like sending a text message or making a call are done through apps. Moreover, many apps now allow people to earn money from home with just a few taps.

In the 1980s, Psion, a company based in London, introduced the Psion Organiser, which is widely regarded as the first personal digital assistant (PDA) device. The Organiser had limited functionality, but it included features such as a calculator, text editor, agenda, and contacts. This set the stage for future advancements in mobile app development.

It was Steve Jobs, the visionary, who first proposed the idea of an «App Store» back in 1983. He envisioned a platform where software could be purchased over the phone. With the launch of the revolutionary iPod by Apple, the iTunes store was introduced, paving the way for Apple's future App Store. In 2007, the first iPhone was introduced to the world, and a year later, the App Store was launched.

When the App Store was first launched, there were only around 500 apps available, making it difficult to identify the first official app released. However, as more smartphones were introduced, various app stores were also launched. These include Google Play for Android, BlackBerry's App World, and Amazon's Appstore.

With app downloads reaching over 175 billion in 2017, C.J. Thompson, the founder of the mobile marketing agency Platinum Edge Media, created National App Day. This day is celebrated on December 11 and promotes the collective culture of apps and innovation.

How It’s Celebrated

Find new apps!

• Look at the app store and find new games, tools, and learning apps. Maybe you will find something you like.
• Leave good reviews for the apps you like. The developers will be happy and other people will know the good apps.
• Organize your apps. Delete the ones you don't use and put the ones you use in folders. This will help you find things faster.
• Share your favorite apps with your friends. Tell them about the apps that you love. Maybe they will like them too.
• Learn how apps are made. There are many ways to learn about coding. Maybe one day you will make your own app.
• Have an app party! Invite your friends and play games together. You can even have a contest to see who can use the apps the best.
• Support independent developers. They make cool apps that are different from big companies.
• Create a wishlist of apps that you want. This way you will always know what to look for when you are browsing the app store.

National App Day

Interesting facts

• There are over 4 million apps available on the App Store and Google Play.
• The most downloaded app in the world is WhatsApp, with over 2 billion users.
• The average person installs around 15 new apps per month.
• App developers earn an average of $150,000 per year.
• The most popular categories of apps include games, social media, and productivity tools.