We explain what mobile applications are, their uses and how they are obtained. In addition, what types of applications exist and various examples.
What is an application?
In the technological jargon of the beginning of the 21st century, it is called a mobile application or simply an application (or even more abbreviated, app, from the English application) to those computer programs created to be installed and executed on a mobile device (such as a smartphone or a tablet). These applications are intended to carry out specific operations in matters ranging from management and connectivity, to education and entertainment.
Mobile applications or apps are a type of app software, that is, they consist of programs that are added to the system to be able to carry out different operations. However, the two terms should not be confused, since they are also pieces of application software. programs installed in a computer desktop (like word processors and design programs, for example).
On the other hand, we should not confuse the apps with the Web applications, which are computer programs available for execution through connection to a server using Internet, namely, software available to run directly through a web browser.
Although the first apps came pre-installed on the smartphones of yesteryear, today it is common to choose them and download them to the device from the internet. This can be done freely or through distribution platforms (called marketplace, store or similar) where you can choose between free or paid programs.
The range of apps available on these sites often depends on the device used (and its operating system), the country of residence of the Username and the distribution service used.
Since the end of the 21st century, the market for available apps has experienced an exponential increase, so much so that the word apps was chosen by the American Dialect Society as the word of the year in 2010. The possibility of downloading pieces of software of various kinds directly to phones and tablets turned these devices into tools that, in addition to communicating with others, also allow us to work, study , play and trade.
Types of mobile applications
Mobile applications can be classified according to their specific functions in:
- Device management apps. They are those that allow the user to have greater control over the resources of the device, such as free space and RAM, or allow protection against hackers, viruses and other possible threats.
- Communications apps. They are those that allow the user to communicate with other users through the Internet, either through text messages, video calls, sending and receiving files, among others.
- Leisure apps. They are those that offer the user varied entertainment options, from video games and hobbies, to music, video clips, comics, digital books, among others.
- Productivity apps. They are those that the user can use to work, such as word processors, spreadsheets, group management software or presentation design. Others allow you to request or offer professional services or even search for a job.
- Educational apps. They are those that allow the user to learn new knowledge, read digital materials or teach classes.Some allow you to search for scholarships and study opportunities, or even apply directly to international universities, and others are used to learn new languages.
- Design apps. They are those that provide the user with certain graphic design and web design tools, which allow him to create images, take and retouch photographs, and program, among other similar tasks.
- Shopping apps. They are those that are used to buy and sell goods and services, hire remote employees or services, acquire and use discount coupons and even make purchases at the supermarket and receive them at home.
- Financial apps. They are those that allow the user to carry out banking transactions and investment operations, such as bank transfers, purchase of foreign currency (or cryptocurrencies), pay for services and even manage their finance more orderly and efficiently.
- Health and training apps. They are those that help the user to meet a goal related to their body and their health, such as losing weight, monitoring their exercise dynamics, dieting, controlling their menstrual cycle, among others.
- Social apps. They are those that allow the user to integrate online communities, What social networks, dating applications and to make new friends, discussion and debate forums, among others.
- Culinary and gastronomic apps. They are those that allow the user to discover new restaurants, order food from a distance or find new culinary recipes.
- Service apps. They are those that the user requires to be able to access a specific real service, such as requesting appointments in medical offices, requesting a visit from a technician, managing their internet connection, among others.
Mobile Application Examples
Some examples of mobile applications are:
- Gmail. It is an app that allows you to manage one or more accounts from your device. email open with the gmail service, belonging to Google.
- Youtube. It is an app that operates jointly with the YouTube video social network, allowing the user to search and view videos on the screen of their cell phone or tablet.
- Twitter. It is an app belonging to the social network of the same name, which allows its users to read and send short messages in a digital community for the exchange of opinions.
- brave. It is an app to surf the internet, that is, a Web navigator independent, which provides the user with a personalized and secure experience, through a system of tabs similar to that of Google Chrome.
- Slack. It is a workgroup management app that allows, through thematic channels, group communication in writing, the exchange of audio, links, images and text, and the centralization of work, replacing a real office for the company.
- Free market. It is an app for buying and selling goods and services, which acts as an intermediary between those who sell something and those who could buy it, operating in the manner of an online catalog.
- WhatsApp. It is a telecommunications app that connects two or more users through direct text and audio messages, or through calls and video calls made through the Internet.
- Head space. It is an app that provides the user with a guided meditation and mindfulness training experience, inspired by the learning of a former Buddhist monk, Andy Puddicombe.
- Duolingo. It is an app of learning of languages, which provides the user with an orderly and gradual experience of exposure to the language, with theory and practice included.
- Orders NOW. It is an app to place orders at restaurants, supermarkets and request courier and parcel services on a short scale, through a network of motorized couriers or by bicycle.
- Argentine trains. It is an app of the Argentine government designed to track the schedules of the national train network, plan urban trips and have news about the status of the service.
- Canvas. It is a design app that, through a very simplified interface, allows you to make compositions, montages, and visual editions directly on your phone or tablet.
- Spotify. It is a highly customizable music and podcast app that, through a learning algorithm, gives the user the opportunity to listen to their favorite bands and discover new music according to their preferences.
- Tinder. It is a dating app that allows users to meet people in their city for romantic purposes.
- Yoho Sports. It is a training app that connects different devices such as pulse bracelets or tachometers, to track calories lost and daily training time.
- Google Maps. It is a navigation app that uses the connectivity of the device with GPS services (Global Positioning System, that is, Global Positioning Systems) to determine the user's location on a gigantic set of maps and plans on a world scale.
- Instagram. It is an app belonging to the homonymous social network that allows you to share photos and videos as part of a large community of users at a national and international level.
- Netflix. It is an app belonging to this subscription audiovisual content service, which allows its members to watch series, movies and short films on their tablet or cell phone.
- Adobe Scan. It is an app designed to scan documents using the camera of the cell phone or tablet, and compose with them a document in PDF format.
- Coursera. It is an app designed to bring to the phone or tablet the contents of the Web page of courses and self-taught Coursera.
- Hello Chinese! It is an app that allows the user to take their first steps in learning the Chinese language (Mandarin), testing their pronunciation and their ability to listen and read.
- Microsoft ToDo.It is an app that allows the user to create to-do lists in an efficient and organized way.
- Microsoft OneDrive. It is an app that allows the user to synchronize the contents of their phone or tablet with an online server that acts as a backup for their information, so that they can always have it safe in the event of loss or damage to their device.
- Booking. It is an app that allows the user to enter the Booking database from their phone or tablet, an intermediary company that allows them to find accommodation in other cities and rent cars or request taxis for their trip.
- Binance. It is an app designed to make financial investments in digital assets, that is, buy and sell cryptocurrencies from the phone or tablet.