You’ve probably heard this term a lot over the last year or so in relation to devices such as iPhones and the popular Apple marketing phrase, “There’s an app for that.” The word app is an abbreviation of application. An application is essentially any program running on a computer-like device that helps to complete a task. This can be anything from using Adobe Reader on your computer to adding a tip calculator to your iPhone. The abbreviated term, app, has been popularized by the Apple iPhone/iPod/iPad movement and refers to a smaller program that is assigned to complete one specific job (think connecting to email or social networking utilities, getting directions, creating a to-do list, etc.). These apps can be created by anyone but are accepted into the App Store and distributed by Apple. Other phones such as the Palm, Blackberry, and Droid also use apps that are available, respectively, through the App Catolog, App World, and Android Market.
