Apple launched the first major mobile app store in 2008 with the App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. It opened on July 10, 2008, giving users an official way to browse, purchase, and download third-party applications.
The launch followed a major change in Apple’s software strategy. When the iPhone debuted in 2007, Steve Jobs initially promoted web apps rather than native third-party software. Developer pressure helped change that position: Apple released the iPhone software development kit on March 6, 2008, allowing developers to build applications distributed through Apple’s curated store.
The App Store began with 500 applications and recorded 10 million downloads during its first weekend. Android Market followed in September 2008, alongside the first Android phone, while BlackBerry App World and several other competing stores arrived in 2009. Earlier phones could receive downloadable software through less standardized channels, but Apple made the app-store model mainstream and highly visible.