THE APPLE REVOLUTION

Izzi Millar (OHS)

The iPhone was first launched in January 2007 and was marketed as a phone which combined three features, a revolutionary mobile phone, a wide screen iPod and internet communications device. The original iPhone consisted of a limited number of apps developed by Apple, but with the release of the app store in July 2008, users were able to download an additional 500 apps created by third party developers. Today the app store boasts nearly 2 million apps and gives developers all over the world the ability to create and distribute apps easily to 1 billion app store users.

The app store has created a pathway for any developer with an idea to easily create and release their app. Through the app store, Apple has supported the creation of 1.57 million jobs for European developers. From its release in 2008, these European developers have earned over €20 billion. As well as jobs for developers, many multi-billion dollar companies such as Uber, Instagram and Calm have been formed from apps beginning on the app store, therefore employing many more workers. This has changed the way entrepreneurs and software developers can bring their ideas to life, revolutionising both their lives and ours. It also creates a new way for already established companies, such as Amazon or Twitter, to reach their customers.

Apple created its own programming language called Swift, which is specifically used for developing iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS apps. This gives developers the ability to create beautifully functioning apps that work seamlessly on all Apple devices. Apple also has two programs which help to encourage children to learn to code. This helps bridge the gap between school and work, and is especially important for future generations, as more and more jobs are becoming technology based. One of these programs is Swift Playgrounds, which is an app to teach children the basics of programming using Swift.

Apple also holds an annual World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) which gives developers a chance to speak with Apple experts to improve their apps, as well as getting exclusive access to Apple’s new features both on their devices and in Swift. It is usually held in California, but due to the recent pandemic has been held online with free access to anyone with an Apple Developer account. WWDC also has a scholarship program for students, further encouraging children and young people to start programming. This has helped many developers get the best out of Swift and their apps, allowing developers to create a user-friendly experience in their apps and keep them up to date with the latest software, as well as inspiring a new generation of programmers. The app store also gives developers an opportunity to take full advantage of the high quality iPhone features without creating their own hardware. For example, social media apps like Instagram and TikTok make use of the iPhone’s high quality camera to allow users to share photos and videos. This allows users a new way of communication and creative expression, as well as giving birth a completely new type of celebrity. Users can see and create content to share with others with the hope of becoming an Instagram influencer or TikTok star such as Charli D’Amelio.

Uber is another example of a start-up that was first launched on the app store. It takes advantage of the iPhone’s inbuilt GPS and location services, giving users the ability to get a lift wherever they want to go in a matter of minutes. As well as creating a new mode of transportation, Uber employs 22,000 people and 3.9 million drivers as of December 2018. Fourteen million journeys are made each day by some ninety-one million active users.

Apple has completely revolutionised the way we live and interact with others through the invention of iPhones and the App Store, changing the way we travel to work, communicate with friends and spend our time as well as creating millions of new jobs. Apple has made programming more accessible for young entrepreneurs and developers, who can now learn to code and release their own apps to the world much more easily. It has not only revolutionised the way developers can create their apps but is changing the way the world works for them, creating a new pathway for the general population to buy their software.

Bibliography

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