What year did the Apple App Store launch?

The Apple App Store launched in 2008, opening on July 10 with 500 applications.

Before the App Store, the original iPhone had no official way to install native third-party applications. Apple changed that model with the iPhone OS 2.0 software update, which introduced the store for both iPhone and iPod touch users. The iPhone 3G, released one day later, arrived with App Store support built in.

The launch quickly demonstrated the scale of mobile software: Apple recorded 10 million downloads during the first weekend, and the catalog grew to 3,000 apps by September 2008. Early apps ranged from games and utilities to novelty software such as iBeer.

A common mix-up is confusing the App Store with the iPhone itself, which launched in 2007. The store came a year later, and Apple added in-app purchases in 2009, transforming how many mobile apps and games made money.