No one can deny the fact that mobile apps have come a long way. From the early era of brick phones to early feature phones and now smartphones, they have experienced great growth. The evolution had been remarkable right from the start. They have transformed the way we entertain, work and communicate. Read on to learn more about how they have evolved:
Mobile Phones – The Birth
Some decades ago, we were using landline phones. We never imagined having a phone that we could carry. Then came cordless phones. They permitted us to walk for some distance when we talked. Then came mobile phones that took off in the 1980s. During this era, they were big enough and were called brick phones. They were bulky and had restricted functionality. Their primary purpose was to make calls. Mobile apps never existed in this era. Then, the idea of carrying a device that we can carry in our pockets and can do more than just calls was seen as science fiction.
The Growth of Feature Phones
During the late 90s and early 2000s, feature phones got into the market. They came with more advanced capabilities. By then, some brands like BlackBerry and Nokia were dominating the market. These phones came with more features than just making calls. Yes, they came with games, calendars and calculators. Then, came the concept of an app store.
App Store – The Birth
In 2008, Apple launched the App Store. This was a milestone in the mobile app domain. The iPhone, with its touchscreen interface and sleek design, set the stage for a fresh era of smartphones. The App Store permitted users to browse, download and even install many third-party applications. This is where the app-centric culture started.
The Android Proliferation
Following Apple, Google also launched the Android Operating System. This is where the vibrant ecosystem of smartphones was created. The Android Market was then renamed as Google Play. It turned out to be the go-to destination for Android users to find and download applications.
Rapid Technological Advancements
Then, smartphones became more powerful. So, app developers started to leverage the capabilities of modern-day phones. Smartphones started to come with accelerometers, cameras and GPS. These integrations started to open up new possibilities for app developers. Apps like Google Maps undoubtedly transformed how we navigate and explore unknown places. Similarly, photo editing tools helped amateur photographers to become professionals. Now, with the evolution, we have apps under different categories like:
- Lifestyle and productivity apps
- Mobile gaming apps
- Communication and social media apps
Now, we are in the era of virtual reality and augmented reality. So, we can expect mobile apps to come with more advanced features very soon.
What Does the Future Hold?
When you look ahead, you will accept one thing. It is that the evolution of mobile apps shows no sign of slowing down. With the launch of 5G technology, artificial intelligence and IoT, the capabilities of mobile applications will continue to grow. You can expect more seamless integration of applications in your daily life.
