Apps? What's that?

Having a mobile phone, tablet or computer is only of benefit if you get some value from using it.
Most of the value comes from choosing and using particular programs or apps.

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Pertinent Points

  • Applications are computer programs that are designed for a specific task
  • On mobile devices (mobile phones or tablets) applications are usually called Apps
  • Mobile devices have mostly Apps that have limited features
  • Mobile device apps are on an App Store and are quick to install
  • Desktop and Laptop computers have applications with a range of features
  • Computer applications are on vendor websites and are a little more complex to install
  • Laptop and Desktop computers can run many applications at the same time; mobile devices run one app at a time

What exactly is an app?

What is an app?
What is a program or software?
These ideas are explained below.

Computer Programs

There are lots of terms that are confusing in ICT but this area may be one of the most confusing.
Originally computers used computer programs to do useful things.
A program is just a list of instructions for the computer to follow.
Most people that used computers in the early years; scientists, engineers, businesses, all created their own programs.

Because computer programs are easy to change compared to changing parts on a computer, programs are also called 'software'.
Computer parts are usually called 'hardware' - because they are harder to change.
[You might also hear the term 'firmware'. This is software that is not changed often and usually a very specific program to control device functions.]

Computer Applications

As computers developed, computer businesses found that making computer programs for general use could be profitable.

These programs saved the computer users a lot of time as they could get on with their work rather than spending time writing their own programs.
This new type of program (or software) was called an 'application'.

Applications also provide a range of new and useful features that made them even more appealing to computer users.

Mobile Device Apps

When applications were created for mobile devices, the same name was shortened to 'Apps'.
An App is still software developed for many users as was the original case of computers.

In many ways though, a mobile app is usually a simpler, more targeted program with a very specific purpose.
But, just to be confusing, the term App is sometimes used to refer to computer applications as well as mobile apps.

App or Web?

With a mobile device it is easy to install an app but many businesses that have apps also have websites.
Should I use the app or the website?
What is the best choice?
Please click here for more information about this choice.

Ways of Using Applications for Any Device

Below is a list of things that you might want to do on any of your devices.
Click on an item on the list to get more detail of programs or apps for that purpose and how they might be used.
While this list covers mobile devices and PCs, more detail on computer based applications is available here

Where to Get Mobile Device Apps

For mobile phones and tablet/iPads, Apps are available through the App Store for the device. Click here for more information
The app store will be a button on the screen of the device

In Android devices the store is called Google Play Store.

For Apple devices, the store is called App Store.

The value of the App Stores is that all Apps are checked for security and performance before being allowed in the store.
This mostly prevents poor quality, poor security and malicious products from being available to users.

Where To Get Computer Applications

Computer applications have been provided mostly direct from the application designer's website.

Microsoft App Store

In recent years, Microsoft has developed an 'App store' for Windows that has a limited range of Apps.
Unfortunately many are simplified versions of more sophisticated applications.
Microsoft has begun moving some of the more sophisticated applications, such as One Note into the App Store.

Applications for Computers

While it may be that some of these MS Store Apps are satisfactory for some uses, the importance of a desktop or laptop computer is that it is able to accommodate very complex, flexible and high performing applications that take advantage of the computer's higher performance.

However these applications need to be selected carefully to ensure that they are from reputable sources.
Apple PCs like Microsoft Windows PCs have software provided this way.

The installation, setup and learning curve for these applications is much more complex than the simpler 'Apps' from an app store.
Computers are also able to run multiple applications at the same time and display on multiple screens.
This provides greater speed and productivity over mobile devices which are limited to one app at a time.

Application switching is faster on a computer and there can be much greater integration across applications.

(Switching just means moving from one active application to another on one or more monitors.
Integration is the ability to connect and share data between multiple applications which is especially important in business applications.)

For more on computer apps

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