The history of applications is long. In 1983, Steve Jobs talked about what is now called the Apps Store. At the time, users had to buy apps before trying them. In this sense, Steve Jobs explained how an application store would disrupt the current standard by using a record store analogy. People know what discs they want to buy because they get a free sample on the radio.
In Jobs' vision, the software industry needed a similar approach where the user could first view the application and then download it. A quarter of a century later, in 2008, the Apple App Store was launched
Known as a "moment of the user interface" critical, the creation of the App Store enabled developers to easily create and download their applications, generating revenue and reaching millions of people. At the same time, regular users could access a myriad of new programs just by downloading them and / or buying them on the App Store.
Apps
While the App Store was a revolutionary moment devices, evolution did not stop there. Since then, applications have evolved and evolved, going through the three steps described by Matthew Panzarino, co-publisher of TechCrunch: the "information appliance model," "the era of the 39; home screen ", and now," age of applications as service ".
There is however a fourth step for the evolution of applications: the perspective of decentralized applications or "dApps" was popularized by the Ethereum platform, the main focus of Ethereum being the deployment. intelligent contracts that can interact with each other to create these same dApps.
dApps
Simply put, dApps are just like regular applications, except that they are fully decentralized. The dsps do not depend on a central server or a third party to operate. Without central point of failure, the dsps must be pirated and censored while being able to operate in a manner that totally autonomous. fashion.
To access these dApps, a special Ethereum browser is required. Augur, a decentralized prediction market that communicates directly with the Ethereum network, without going through intermediate servers, is one of the popular examples of a dApp.
Two other examples are the Mist and MetaMask wallet. Being a dApp itself, the Mist Wallet is one of the oldest applications of the Ethereum network. It allows users to interact with their portfolio and with decentralized applications on the network. However, Mist asks users to download the Ethereum Blockchain. On the other hand, MetaMask provides a simple extension that can turn your web browser into an Ethereum browser
However, the path to decentralization is long and Ethereum is still young. Although hundreds of projects are leveraging its blockchain for crowdfunding, few fully decentralized applications have been launched and even fewer have been truly remarkable. Most Ethereum projects still use centralized components to deliver their product.
For example, one of the first game dams on Ethereum can be used simply by sending transactions to the respective smart contract addresses of the entire process. Although smart contracts are the main element of the project, they still rely on a centralized web page to display addresses and provide an interface to users.
Other projects are taking advantage of the Ethereum Blockchain's many components for their project and not for the deployment of dApps specifically. These components can range from trading and incentive levels to an issue mechanism for stocks and other token-backed securities. In most cases, Ethereum ends up being more than a platform ICO
In-between
Many semi-decentralized applications have capitalized on the dapp "hype", using the word "decentralized" in a rather liberal way. It is now clear that the path to complete decentralization of the application will take years. Until then, however, it seems that the market could be saturated with all the chips and application-specific parts that are issued daily.
With most developers leveraging new chips for in-app purchases, advertising, and rewards, a lack of interoperability between dApps is the inevitable result.
Not only is the monopoly put in place by companies like Google and Apple economically damaging developers and users, but it also presents a set of additional problems such as lack of transparency when it comes to app store approval and lack of privacy for users whose data is collected and sold, often without their knowledge.
To solve this problem and the problems inherent in the traditional application industry, one of the world's most popular application stores has designed a new protocol for applications and applications. application stores that can serve as a common ground for their complete decentralization.
The system put forward The store seeks to remove the power of intermediaries like Google and Apple who reap most of the benefits that come from the work of developers.
Path to Decentralization
This system allows applications and app stores to become more efficient for developers and users. Application developers also benefit from an immutable reputation system that extends to all app stores using the protocol.
Although apps and app stores are never completely decentralized, this path can be an important foundation for the decentralized economy. . Once the first step is taken, technical progress can be made to ensure that these applications are 100% resistant to hacking and censorship.