First Smartphone (1996) and feature (app) in display

Before iPhone and Android came, IBM’s Simon introduced the first ever smartphone. Launched in 1994 which had 10 inbuilt apps like Address Book, Calculator, Calendar, Mail, Note Pad, and Sketch Pad. Back then, apps were known as ‘feature’.

We will circle back on this at the end and compare it with dApp growth and development. For now, it’s good enough to give you the flavor where we are heading with this story.

As of 24th Jan 2019, approx. more than 2000+ dApps exist which has combined users of close to 175k+ daily average users. ETH obviously leading the chart with 1300+ dApps followed by EOS and TRON who has 250+ and 150+ respectively.

Currently, usage of decentralized applications (or dApps) is mostly limited to the reach of gaming or gambling lovers. Today, nearly 80% of the dApp users either use gaming or gambling based decentralized applications.

Are dApps days out numbered:

Apple iPhone in its first year of launch had 500 apps. Nearly 70% of the revenue generated from iOS came from gaming applications – Candy Crush, Temple Run, and Angry Birds apps all raking it in.

Nokia Snake Game in 1997

But did you know, when was the first mobile app launched? The answer is in the Year 1983 ‘Phone book’ allowing to save 30 numbers. The first mobile game ‘Tetris’ in the year 1994 and in the following 3 years, Nokia’s ‘Snake Game’.

It took 25 years to achieve 1000+ mobile apps. The journey took mobile technology from telephony to gaming and utilities, to apps that dominate your experience today.

ETH launched in 2015 with its first dApp which only mentions ” Hello World”. Those powerful words “Hello World” paved the way for dApps growth. Today in just 3.5 years, 1300+ dApps are using ETH network in a dozen other platforms, additional 700+ dApps .

The use of dApps continues to grow. Soon to be launched BitTorrent dApp in TRON platform. A protocol which will create a token-based economy around the usage of network, bandwidth, and storage. Its existing user base of 100 Million+ will soon experience and adopt blockchain.

ETH, the pioneer in this area has been widely tested and used. It continues to attract the attention of enterprises who want to solve business challenges and have already started testing it.

The upcoming ETH based dapp game ‘Plague Hunters’ built by Arcade Distillery will be soon launched in PlayStation4. It will provide a market place for gamers to trade game collectibles, will have multiple folds of users and a real showcase of blockchain power to the mass majority.

Also, 2019 will witness increased focus in asset digitalization and developers will turn to smart contracts for building required infrastructure (like fund-raising platforms & trading platforms).

The blockchain technology which was said to be slow, today can process thousands of transactions per second. Currently explored in areas like supply chain, financial services, healthcare, IoT, government, and many other sectors.

Innovators are exploring ways to use blockchain to transform traditional business models to bring greater transparency, enhanced security, improved traceability, and reduced costs.

Given the above perspective, blockchain / dApps will continue to grow.

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