Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Mobile app
open-in-new
<p>A mobile application or app is a <a href="/facts/Computer_program/e38jH9N9">computer program</a> or <a href="/facts/Software_application/YQuj7Kog">software application</a> designed to run on a <a href="/facts/Mobile_device/cNS1Rhvg">mobile device</a> such as a <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">phone</a>, <a href="/facts/Tablet_computer/6pGX2I7b">tablet</a>, or <a href="/facts/Smartwatch/Aq3dKhwb">watch</a>. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to <a href="/facts/Desktop_application/YQuj7Kog">desktop applications</a> which are designed to run on <a href="/facts/Desktop_computer/edFPINdK">desktop computers</a>, and <a href="/facts/Web_application/BLkF3BIN">web applications</a> which run in <a href="/facts/Mobile_web_browser/tKvf0bfJ">mobile web browsers</a> rather than directly on the mobile device. </p><p>Apps were originally intended for productivity assistance such as email, calendar, and contact databases, but the public demand for apps caused rapid expansion into other areas such as <a href="/facts/Mobile_game/H3e7p0K7">mobile games</a>, <a href="/facts/Factory_automation/3YlF2K5q">factory automation</a>, GPS and <a href="/facts/Location-based_services/BXzwkD4d">location-based services</a>, order-tracking, and ticket purchases, so that there are now millions of apps available. Many apps require <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a> access. Apps are generally downloaded from <a href="/facts/App_store/czIkzyv9">app stores</a>, which are a type of <a href="/facts/Digital_distribution/9gbe83sK">digital distribution</a> platforms. </p><p>The term "app", short for "<a href="/facts/Application_software/YQuj7Kog">application</a>", has since become very popular; in 2010, it was listed as "<a href="/facts/Word_of_the_Year/S9CaSbI4">Word of the Year</a>" by the <a href="/facts/American_Dialect_Society/0FmXAlN0">American Dialect Society</a>. </p><p>Apps are broadly classified into three types: native apps, hybrid and web apps. Native applications are designed specifically for a mobile operating system, typically iOS or Android. Web apps are written in <a href="/facts/HTML5/HBAxEAr6">HTML5</a> or <a href="/facts/CSS/tA90XBQo">CSS</a> and typically run through a browser. Hybrid apps are built using web technologies such as <a href="/facts/JavaScript/XhhIIEsl">JavaScript</a>, CSS, and HTML5 and function like web apps disguised in a native container. </p>