Using the mobile app store is a convenient and fast way to download programs for your phone. The process of downloading and installing programs from such a store is fully automated.
The very name "app store" is not entirely correct. It is hard to imagine a point of sale where 30 to 70 percent of the items are distributed free of charge. And mobile "shops" are just that, except that the "goods" in them are intangible. Of course, you still have to pay for Internet access to download programs, so it's better to choose an unlimited tariff.
From a technical point of view, a mobile app store is a program that is part of a smartphone's firmware. Before using it, the client must go through a simple registration procedure in the application itself or in the browser of the phone or computer. After that, a username and password are assigned to log into your account.
By launching the store and entering the account information, the user is able to view the list of available applications. He can select different categories in it, and sometimes subcategories. You can also search for apps by keywords and phrases.
Having chosen the program they like, the user immediately receives data on its cost. If it is paid, he is offered to pay for it via SMS, credit card or virtual account, which can be replenished through a payment machine. The list of available payment methods depends on the phone manufacturer. It is not recommended to pay for a purchase from a card, as its data can be intercepted by hackers. If the program is free, you can start the process of downloading and installing it with just one click. Sometimes, however, after that you need to enter a password.
Programs for some mobile operating systems can only be downloaded in this way. These are, for example, iOS (the store for it is called the App Store) and Windows Phone 7 (Windows Phone Marketplace). Other platforms allow you to install applications from third-party sources, but using the store is still much more convenient and safer. Examples of such operating systems are Symbian 9 (Nokia Store, formerly Ovi Store) and Android (Google Play, formerly Android Market).
