Definition: Defining the Meaning of Application Software
The term "app" is a shortening of the term "application software". It has become very popular, and in 2010 was listed as "Word of the Year" by the American Dialect Society.
- Mobile App - A computer program designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. Apps are usually available through application distribution platforms, which began appearing in 2008 and are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store, and BlackBerry App World.
- Application software - A set of one or more programs designed to carry out operations for a specific application. Application software cannot run on itself but is dependent on system software to execute. Examples of application software include MS Word, MS Excel, a console game, a library management system, a spreadsheet system etc.
What is an App
An "app", also known as Application software or simply application, is defined as computer software designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related specific tasks. Mobile applications run on hand-held devices such as mobile phones (cell phones), personal digital assistants, and enterprise digital assistants.
Handy Health and Disability Apps:
The use of the iPhone, iPod, iPad and other mobile devices has been a revolutionary new platform for assistive technology. Today you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of apps relating to disabilities and health. These tools simplify many calculations as well as provide valuable information on topics concerning disability and/or health issues. Generally apps cost a couple of dollars to purchase, however there are also a number of handy apps available that can be downloaded to your mobile device such as iPhone or iPad for free.
List of Health and Disability Apps:
- Apps for Windows Phone can be found at - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/apps/default.aspx
- Apps for Apple devices such as iPod, iPad and iPhone can be found at the Apple App Store for:
- iPhone - http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone/
- iPad - http://www.apple.com/ipad/apps-for-ipad/
- iPod Touch - http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/app-store.html
- Apps for Android Devices can be obtained from - https://market.android.com/
- Apps for BlackBerry at BlackBerry's App World - http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/
- List of handy and accessible VoiceOver Compatible Apps for iPhone and Mac
The U.S. FDA Proposes Health App Guideline:
The variety and availability of smartphone applications, or apps, have exploded in recent years as multi-tasking consumers increasingly use their phones to keep up with the latest on news, finance, and health. Apple says its iPhone App Store has more than 350,000 apps, and Android, BlackBerry, Windows, and other smartphones account for tens of thousands more. With so many apps on the market, it's no wonder the number of health care related apps has also spiraled.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now proposing guidelines that outline the small number of mobile apps the agency plans to oversee medical apps that could present a risk to patients if the apps don't work as intended.
FDA is proposing to oversee mobile medical apps that:
- Are used as an accessory to an FDA-regulated medical device. For example, an app could enable a health care professional to view medical images on an iPad and make a diagnosis;
- Transform a mobile platform into a regulated medical device. For example, an app that turns a smartphone into an electrocardiography, or ECG, machine to detect abnormal heart rhythms or determine if a patient is experiencing a heart attack.
Further information on the FDA and health/medical apps can be found at www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm263332.htm
Our list below covers handy health and medical related apps available through Apple's AppStore and BlackBerry's App World as well as apps available for Google's Android operating system platform.
Quick Facts: Apple App Store
Apple's App Store for iOS was the first app distribution service, which set the standard for app distribution services and continues to do so, opened on July 10, 2008, and as of January 2011, reported over 10 billion downloads. As of June 6, 2011, there were 425,000 apps available, which had been downloaded by 200 million iOS users. During Apple's 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the App Store has 650,000 available apps to download as well as "an astounding 30 billion apps" downloaded from the app store until that date. From an alternative perspective, figures seen in July 2013 by the BBC from tracking service Adeven indicate over two-thirds of apps in the store are "zombies", barely ever installed by consumers.