A smartphone has an operating system (OS), also known as a ‘platform’. If you would like to download an app, you have to do so at an online store that is compatible with your phone (just as a Isuzu bakkie, for example, requires Isuzu spares.)
The five most popular app stores are:
- iTunes, the Apple store, which has apps compatible for iPhones and iPads;
- The Google store, which has android apps;
- The Microsoft store, which has Windows apps;
- The Blackberry store;
- The Ovi Store (Symbian OS) for Nokia.
Smartphones
Apple ranks as the top smartphone manufacturer, with a 41,6% share of US smartphone subscribers. Samsung is second with 26,7%. Android ranks as the top smartphone platform, with a 51,7% market share. Apple is second with a 41,6% share.
Due to copyright restrictions, some apps at iTunes will only be available in certain countries. In fact, iTunes has shops for specific countries.
Creating a new ID – limitations
In the previous issue, we discussed Pat Lafrieda’s ‘Big App for Meat’. This popular app is unfortunately only available for download on the US iTunes store. There are several forums, communities and discussion boards on the Internet hosted by Apple that offer advice to users experiencing problems with online stores and purchases. The following is a link to an Apple discussion forum online: http://bit.ly/altappstore.
Here someone asks: “How can I change my Apple store country or region?”
Members reply and solutions are proposed. Users may legally have multiple iTunes accounts. Visit http://bit.ly/multipleacounts for more. The Apple support website also has instructions on how to create an iTunes account without a credit card; visit http://bit.ly/storewithoutcreditcard.
However, it should be mentioned that Apple’s terms and conditions state that a user is not permitted to hold an iTunes account in a country if he or she does not reside there.
