An app store refers to an online shop where customers can purchase and download various software applications. Generally speaking, the apps sold through app stores are intended for mobile devices. App stores are cloud-based in the sense that users access the content via free client software or a Web browser. Apps are extremely popular among smartphone users, and have been developed for thousands of uses, including budgeting, gaming, health and other applications. The mobile app market reached nearly $7 billion in 2010 and is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2015.
The term app store nearly ended up applying only to Apple's App Store for the iPhone. Apple filed an injunction against Amazon in 2011, claiming that calling its online store of apps for Android devices an app store infringed on Apple's branded App Store. The judge in the case found that the term app store was more descriptive than it was associated with Apple's branded app store, rendering the term a generic name for any online store that sells apps.
Read More ยป
Get Techopedia delivered to your inbox!