Apple Special Event 2008 — App Store introduction

While originally developing iPhone prior to its unveiling in 2007, Apple’s then-CEO Steve Jobs did not intend to let third-party developers build native apps for iOS, instead directing them to make web applications for the Safari web browser. However, backlash from developers prompted the company to reconsider, with Jobs announcing in October 2007 that Apple would have a software development kit available for developers by February 2008. The SDK was released on March 6, 2008. The iPhone App Store opened on July 10, 2008. On July 11, the iPhone 3G was released and came pre-loaded with support for App Store. Initially apps could be free or paid, in 2009 Apple added the ability to add in-app purchases which quickly became the dominant way to monetize apps, especially games. While Apple touts the role of the App Store in creating new jobs in the “app economy“ and claims to have paid over $155 billion to developers, the App Store has also attracted criticism from developers and government regulators that it operates a monopoly and that Apple’s 30% cut of revenues from the store is excessive.