App Store

:For the version specifically for Mac OS X and macOS, see Mac App Store.
The App Store is an application developed by Apple for iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS to allow users to browse and download applications that were developed with the iPhone or related SDK. The version specifically for macOS is known as the Mac App Store. The apps sold on the App Store are either free or must be purchased, depending on the application; the store places restrictions on free-to-try software. The applications are downloaded directly to the iOS device it was purchased/installed on that device/Mac, or it will be transferred to all devices under the Apple ID through iCloud. Whilst Apple has stated that they do not expect to profit from the store, it has been predicted by Piper Jaffray that the App Store could create a profitable marketplace with revenue exceeding 1 billion dollars annually (USD) for the company."Analyst: There’s a great future in iPhone apps", VentureBeat. June 11, 2008. The App Store opened early in the morning on July 10, 2008 via an update to iTunes. Applications were immediately available for download at that time.
==Introduction==
===SDK===
The Software Development Kit for iPhone and iPod touch was announced at the iPhone Software Roadmap event on March 6, 2008. The SDK will allow developers (running Mac OS X 10.5 or higher) to create applications, using Xcode, which will natively run on both the iPhone and iPod touch. A beta version was released after the event and the final version was included with the iPhone 3G, which was released on July 11. Applications that developers create will be sold exclusively through the iTunes Store on Mac and Windows, or on the App Store on the iPhone and iPod touch.Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta Developers will get 70% of sales and will not have to pay any distribution costs for their application other than a 99 fee to use the SDK on the iPhone and upload applications to the store.
===Demonstrated applications===
Several applications were demonstrated at the iPhone Software Roadmap event on March 6, 2008. These included:
Title/type/description 	Developer 	Price
Hello World 	 	
Touch FX, a photo manipulation application 	 	
Touch Fighter, a game where the user steers a spacecraft by tilting the iPhone	 	
Spore 	Electronic Arts	$9.99
Salesforce Mobile 	Salesforce.com 	Free
AIM 	America Online 	Free
Epocrates RX 	Epocrates 	Free
Super Monkey Ball 	SEGA 	$9.99
Several other applications were demonstrated at WWDC 2008 in the keynote presentation. These included:
Title/type/description 	Developer 	Price
eBay Mobile 	eBay Inc. 	Free
Social network map ping 	Loopt 	Free
Blogging 	TypePad 	Free
Mobile News Network 	Associated Press 	Free
Enigmo 	Pangea Software 	$9.99
Cro-Mag Rally 	Pangea Software 	$9.99
Band 	Mark Terry, MooCowMusic 	$9.99
At-Bat 	MLB.com 	$4.99
An educational anatomy quiz	Modality 	$39.99
Medical imaging 	Mimvista 	Free
Kroll 	Digital Legends Entertainment	N/A
==Number of launched applications==
The App Store launched with 500 applications on July 10, 2008. On the following day, the iPhone OS 2 software update was released, allowing iPod touch and iPhone users to buy and directly download apps. Support for Macs was added on January 6, 2011 with the release of Mac OS X 10.6.6.
By 2012, there were more than 500,000 apps available for download. By 2017 there were over 2.2 million apps.
==App removal controversies==
In November 2019, Apple removed all applications related to , citing warnings from health experts.
In August 2020, submitted an update for their game that was rejected by the Apple App Store and the store for violating their respective policies. Epic retaliated by filing s against both companies and releasing a parody of Apple's 1984 ad.Apple stumbled into a war with the gaming industry and the future of iOS is at stake by Nick Statt, The Verge. 2020-08-15.Fortnite vs Apple vs Google: a brief and very incomplete timeline by Dieter Bohn, The Verge. 2020-08-14. The first legal ruling was in Apple's favor, though Judge found that Apple "over-retaliated" by also blocking Epic's developer tools, known as Unreal Engine, which is used by other parties. Apple then invited Epic to bring back Fortnite under the App Store's existing terms.New Fortnite Season Will Not Be Available On iPhones, As Judge Sides With Apple by Bobby Allyn, NPR. 2020-08-27. After Epic declined to resubmit Fortnite those terms, Apple suspended Epic's developer account, causing its other games to become unavailable through the App Store. Users who already paid for Fortnite are allowed to keep their purchase. Apple kept Unreal Engine available through Epic's separate account, in line with the judge's ruling.Apple suspends Fortnite maker Epic Games’ App Store account by Todd Haselton, CNBC. 2020-08-28. Apple then promoted , another game with similar gameplay, as an alternative for users in Fortnite's absence.Apple highlights PUBG Mobile on same day it's set to close 'Fortnite' account by Mike Peterson, AppleInsider. 2020-08-28. In September 2020, Apple filed a countersuit against Epic Games for breach of contract and damages.‘Willful, brazen, and unlawful’: Apple files breach-of-contract countersuit against Epic by Devin Coldewey, TechCrunch. 2020-09-08. Judge Rogers stated that the earliest the case could go to trial is around July 2021.Judge in Apple 'Fortnite' case slams Epic's tactics, hints at July trial date by Brian Fung, CNN. 2020-09-28. The case against Google is still pending.
Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite - FreeFortnite|Epic Games' parody of Apple's 1984 ad.
Fortnite vs Apple App Store Royale|Explanation of the Epic-Apple-Google feud.
==Game streaming policy==
Apple's online store policy was previously criticized for not allowing game streaming services such as and Microsoft's .Apple confirms cloud gaming services like xCloud and Stadia violate App Store guidelines by Nick Statt, The Verge. 2020-08-06. In September 2020, Apple modified its App Store rules to allow such streaming services, but under its terms which require games to be individually submitted to Apple and directly downloadable from the App Store. Microsoft complained that the user experience would still be "bad."Apple loosens some in-app restrictions after friction with developers by Julia Musto, Fox Business. 2020-09-13.
==References==
==External links==
*App Store (iOS) at Apple
**Discovery on the App Store and Mac App Store at Apple Developer
*App Store at Logopedia
* and at Wikipedia
Category:Apple services
Category:Apple software
Category:iOS apps
Category:iPadOS apps
Category:tvOS apps
Category:watchOS apps
Category:2008 introductions