National App Day

National App Day is the perfect day to celebrate the many amazing apps out there. From apps that help us stay connected to friends and family, to those that let us order groceries from home, stay healthy and fit, and even build successful businesses, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t use apps in some way.

History

National App Day was created by CJ Thompson, director of Platinum Edge Media, and is dedicated to app developers and users alike. Since 2017, apps have been downloaded over 175 million times! It’s likely that this number is even higher now due to the advances in technology and functionality in 2020.

The mid-80s saw the release of the Psion organizer, a primitive yet useful device that included a calculator, text editor, diary, and other functionalities. It is believed that this device helped pave the way for the development of mobile apps. Apple’s App Store, which saw downloads of 10 million apps within the first week of its launch in 2008, initially offered close to 500 different apps.

Interesting facts

• Steve Jobs had a negative initial reaction to the idea of third-party apps on the iPhone, believing it was not needed to improve the user experience. However, a member of the Apple board of directors, Art Levinson, was able to convince Jobs to change his mind.
• The word “app” was the most commonly used word in the United States in 2010.
• The highest download activity is seen in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Entertainment apps, particularly games, remain the most popular type of app, with 77% of apps being games.

How to take part

Discover new apps on National App Day and share your opinions with your friends. Delete any apps you don’t use to make room for new ones. Don’t forget to leave ratings and praise the developers – it’s the least you can do to show your appreciation!

When is National App Day celebrated in 2023?

National App Day is observed on December 11 each year.

Observations