In its early years, the iPhone boasted only a handful of Apple's unchangeable applications, and users were only able to download applications that are already available on the browser on their devices.
But that changed on July 10, 2008, when the App Store was launched.
Almost no one remembers today how this sector was before the iPhone era, when mobile companies determined which applications to download on the phone. Even though software could be downloaded, it was an exhausting process.
But Apple's application platform has broken through this awkward situation. Everyone is now able to download software on to their iPhone as long as these apps pass the security test, do not contain inappropriate material and do not attempt to steal user data.
The idea behind Apple's applications is: Apple acquires 30 percent of the cost of apps to fund the store, explained Apple's Steve Jobs when the store was announced.
Apple has so far provided the developers of software sold through Apple with more than $100 billion, which means Apple has earned more than $40 billion.
The biggest share of applications went to games, which helped Apple make the first leap. For example, there were apps that made sounds of a fart and others producing air bubbles or turning the screen into a foamy beer cup.
Today, the store includes almost everything. Yet, this large number of apps - 2 million – is causing new problems, with many programs being neglected somewhere in the store, according to the German news agency.
Apple is trying to counter this issue by redesigning the store. The game rating has also been adjusted to allow more space for all other applications.
In addition, Apple’s acquisition of 30 percent of the applications’ costs has long been subject to dispute and controversy, especially since these fees apply to internal applications. In other words, when a music company offers its premium product within an Apple application, it is forced to share revenues with Apple.
Spotify, a leading company in this field, deemed this as unfair competition, especially since the music offered through Apple's music service costs 9.99 euros a month. The company has since filed a complaint with the European Commission.
The company expects Apple's revenue in the App Store to exceed $75 billion in 2022 alone.
As large tech companies are now accused of paying too little taxes, Apple is keen to highlight the good impact of the application economy on jobs. The company estimates that the App Store supports 262,000 jobs in Germany and 1.57 million in all of Europe.
