App Definition and 132 Threads

A mobile application, also referred to as a mobile app or simply an app, is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a phone, tablet, or watch. Apps were originally intended for productivity assistance such as email, calendar, and contact databases, but the public demand for apps caused rapid expansion into other areas such as mobile games, factory automation, GPS and location-based services, order-tracking, and ticket purchases, so that there are now millions of apps available. Apps are generally downloaded from application distribution platforms which are operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store. Some apps are free, and others have a price, with the profit being split between the application's creator and the distribution platform. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop applications which are designed to run on desktop computers, and web applications which run in mobile web browsers rather than directly on the mobile device.
In 2009, technology columnist David Pogue stated that smartphones could be nicknamed "app phones" to distinguish them from earlier less-sophisticated smartphones. The term "app", short for "software application", has since become very popular; in 2010, it was listed as "Word of the Year" by the American Dialect Society.

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  1. bcrowell

    Education app demonstrating 2nd law of thermodynamics

    I recently posted about a browser-based educational app that graphs the position, velocity, and acceleration of the mouse's vertical motion. In the same spirit, I've written an app that demonstrates the statistical basis of the second law of thermodynamics by simulating the free expansion of a...
  2. bcrowell

    Educational app for graphing position, velocity, and accel

    I thought other physics teachers here might be interested in this browser-based educational application I wrote: http://www.lightandmatter.com/velocity/ . As you move the mouse up and down, it graphs its position, velocity, and acceleration. In the past I've had some classroom exercises that...
  3. S

    Searching for a 3D Wind Tunnel App: PC-Compatible?

    I'm looking for a two element 3D wind tunnel app. Any out there that will run on a PC?
  4. Shreyas Shree

    Python Make an android app in eclipse using python

    How to make an android app using python on eclipse.
  5. L

    Is There an iPhone App for Using Your Phone as a Light Sensor?

    Hi! I'm searching for an application for iPhone, similar to the Android App "Physics Toolkit Light Sensor", so I can use my iPhone as a light sensor. Does anybody know if there's such an app in the App Store? I'm not able to find one. Best regards Lasse
  6. Redbelly98

    Have You Fallen Down the 2048 Rabbit Hole Yet?

    Has anyone else here gotten addicted to this game? I started playing a few weeks ago, and just came this close to getting a 4096! Just needed to get another freakin' 8, but ran out of space.
  7. M

    What programming language should I learn for a game app?

    What programming language should I learn if I want to make a free game app? Is it Objective-C? I have learned HTML, CSS and currently learning HTML5. I heard that Objective-C is hard. Should I learn Objective-C after learning HTML5 if that's the programming language to make a free game app with...
  8. M

    Which one earns more money: free iOS app or free iPhone app?

    Which one makes more money: free iOS app or free iPhone app?
  9. B

    Help please -- Is my list okay so far for Condensed Matter? (grad app.)

    Hey Everyone, Would appreciate any advice or suggestions. I know that I do not have many "safeties", but that is because I am applying to a bunch of master's programs (not physics /because of research interest) Physics GPA: 3.5ish ( No grade lower than a B... lots of advanced courses!)...
  10. M

    Is instagram a free app or a website?

    Is instagram a free app or a website? Does instagram makes more money than facebook? Is instagram more popular than facebook?
  11. M

    Web App Explained: Is it Software? Skills & Knowledge Needed

    What is web app? Is it a software? What knowledge and skill is required to make an web app?
  12. TumblingDice

    Measuring Cosmic Rays: There's an App for that

    A group of researchers from the University of California has published a paper regarding the viability of detecting cosmic rays using an array of 'SmartPhones'. I've read before that the digital sensors (photomultipliers?) in most cameras and cell phones detect infrared and, by design, this is...
  13. B

    Automotive Car Periodic Vibration/Modulation Captured with App - Some Questions

    Hi Folks, Prior to leaving my car in for the annual MOT (UK), there were no vibrations to be felt at any speed. However, to pass the MOT I was advised to replace the 2 front tyres as they were worn. Ever since then, there is a periodic vibration which I can distinctly feel at 85mph but it is...
  14. D

    Challenge Connecting Multiple Smartphone Mic's Simply & Quickly

    Dear Readers, I'm facing a pretty interesting challenge, which is: "How to connect multiple smartphone mic's in the quickest and simplest way?" Here is a use case. I go into a meeting with a group of random (strangers) that all have smartphones, Android, iOS, Windows. Now I want to record this...
  15. Hercuflea

    Android music app that DOESN'T show album art?

    Hi, I've been searching for a way to turn off album art on my lockscreen for a Samsung galaxy note 3. Every time I look for something like this on the playstore, it comes up with a bunch of apps for people who WANT their album art displayed on the lockscreen while playing. Some of the bands I...
  16. I

    Objective-C app programming problem

    So I'm currently developing a simple iOS Application, written in Objective-C, and I recently came across this problem. the first problem says "Expected identifier or '( '" The second problem says "Missing '@end'" even though '@end' is clearly there. Any help would be great.
  17. G

    Physics/math keyboard for android app

    Does anyone know any sufficient keyboard app for android tablets containing physics and math symbols? Including vectors maybe
  18. S

    Webassign Find Strength of Magnetic Field using Java App

    Homework Statement A 10nC, 1µg particle is fired into a magnetic field as shown. Distances are in millimeters, time is in seconds. What is the strength of the field? (See my picture for additional information and my worked solution) Homework Equations f= mv^2 /r F(from B field) =...
  19. Greg Bernhardt

    Top Sky Viewing Apps for iPhone: A Comparison

    I've long used GoSkyWatch Planetarium. The augmented reality using GPS is very smooth and it's easy to find objects. http://www.gosoftworks.com/GoSkyWatch/GoSkyWatch.html I know there are a few of these out there. Which are you using?
  20. B

    Looking for a Calculator App with Unit Functionality?

    Does anyone know of any calculator apps that can deal with units? I know I can do it on google search, but I was looking for something more like a calculator. I found this one: http://physyapps.com but it's only for iphone and mac. Thanks, Paul
  21. S

    Wanting program or app for waveform analysis

    Hi everyone, My 14 year old son who is an avid musician and composer, wants to do a science project that involves waveform analysis of tonal harmony in Western music, for example, why certain chords and chord progressions are more pleasing than others and whether the interference patterns...
  22. H

    C/C++ App that counts probabilities in c++

    Hey,I am making an app that counts probabilities in c++(win32){for those who knows}. I have found three formulas of equation,but I need some help for one. For example we have a die,and we hit it 6 times. Can we count with an formula,the probabilities to have the number "5",three times...
  23. P

    Deriving the Integral Property from Theorems 1-45 and 1-46

    Hello there. I recently installed the Physics Forums app and could not find the homework section in the categories so I beg your pardon from the following question. I am using Apostol's Calculus Volume 1 and have encountered a problem on page 72 number 21 (for those in possession of the text)...
  24. O

    Challenge 4: There's no app for that: integration

    a.) Poor Wolfram Alpha got asked to calculate the following integral \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-ax} \frac{\sin(x)}{x} dx but couldn't handle it! http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=int_%7B0%7D%5E%7Binfty%7D+e%5E%7B-ax%7D+sin%28x%29+%2Fxdx (Results are not guaranteed if you use wolfram alpha...
  25. M

    What Would Make a Fun and Useful Physics App?

    I'm looking for one. Something that would be useful and fun to develop at the same time. What would you like for a physics related app?
  26. B

    Which Free Camera App is Compatible with Dropbox for Android Tablets?

    I have an android tablet running ice cream sand witch 4.0 I need a basic camera app that when I take a photo it will let me save it in my pictures folder on the tablet. I am on the play store and need a free app.
  27. L

    Probability program equation in app.

    Hi there, I am getting an iphone/android app developed and there is a new part that needs to be programmed. A store can create a free offer and assign the random probability odds of winning that prize. If they create 3 offers for their restaurant with the following win odds.(they can have...
  28. S

    Schools Graduate school app - Do I have a shot?

    Hi! I am new to the board so let me first just say hello - Hello! :) To my question - you guys have more experience so your judgement is way more accurate when it comes to graduate physics studies, so I wanted to ask if I have a shot at any of the better (say top 50) physics institutions...
  29. C

    Was the Bright Ball with Blue Light I Saw Through My Binoculars Saturn?

    Hey, was just wondering, yesterday I was looking through my 10x50 binocular and used an app to locate Saturn. What I was seeing in the binocular was a burning ball (It was really bright compared to the stars.) and there was a sort of blue color around the bright ball. Would you think that was...
  30. medeek

    Designing a Wood Truss with Medeek Calculator App

    I recently started programming a basic web based app. that calculates the forces within a standard wood truss. I thought it might be of some interest to visitors to the Physics forums. I've added most of the common types of trusses used in residential construction, with more to come later...
  31. R

    LaTeX The web app that lets you find latex symbols by drawing them

    Does anyone know where I can find this? I'm having a heck of a time finding it on google. It was this little app where you could just draw a symbol and it would give the latex code for the symbol. I remember it saved my a lot of time when I was just learning latex and I would still have a use...
  32. Y

    LaTeX PF iPhone App: View LaTex Equations Easily

    Hello all. Brief disclaimer, I'm not exactly a luddite but I'm no programming wiz either so I can't talk about these issues on a very technical level. I can however follow directions, so if I have to do something on my end, I would be able to with some guidance. Basically the problem I'm...
  33. L

    Numbers App by Apple: Is It Good & Easy to Use?

    Hi. I was thinking about getting Numbers by apple to do data analysis for an intro to modern physics course and an optics lab. I was wondering if anybody thinks it is a good product and easy to use like most things apple?
  34. O

    Questions on encoding and combinatorics for an equation generator web app

    (I apologize for the following lack of clarity, I know next to nothing. Links would be cool if the answer would take to long, I simply don't know how to even google these questions ) Question 1, non decimal numbers: I have a set of parameters I'd like to encode. Each parameter is in the form...
  35. J

    Have you tried the free FEM solver iPad app for structural engineering?

    I have just finished my master thesis developing an iPad app for educational purposes. It's completely free and it can be used to solve problems using FEM beam elements, intuitive to use and works in a playful way without any numbers just to help users get a feel for different constructions and...
  36. J

    How to find the derivative of f(x) for a basic problem?

    find the valu of local extremum for f(x)=sin x-cos x,0<x<2∏.
  37. Y

    [Android] Camera App crashes when run

    I am working on an android application that will need to take and store pictures. I'm familiar with java but not with the Android APIs. I tried to start by just including the functions for taking and saving an image using the information on the android developers page(Camera | Android...
  38. B

    Is There a Faster Way to Prove Part (b) Using Radon-Nykodim?

    Hi, I'm trying to work this out. Just a small question: Let (X, m, μ) be a measure-triple (X a set; m a sigma-algebra, μ a measure) , and let, f:X-->ℝ be measurable. For B a Borel set, define : v(B):=μ(f-1(B)). Then show: a)v is a measure in the Borel subsets of R , and...
  39. stripes

    How to Code a Simple Java Clock App with Minute Updates?

    Homework Statement Application draws a clock. I need it to start at 12:00 and then go to 12:01, then 12:02, and so on, every minute. Then after 59 minutes, bring back to :00 and move the hour up one, etc. Very simple. import java.util.*; import java.awt.*; import java.applet.*; import...
  40. J

    Can This App Really Help with Calculus?

    This app has helped me so much with calculus. Calculus Genie: http://tinyurl.com/89shv5w
  41. M

    How Accurate Is Predicting App Approval Times Through Crowd-Sourced Data?

    I would like to build an app that estimates how long it might take an app developer to have his app approved by Apple. Here's how the app would probably work: The developer tells the app when he or she submitted his app to Apple. The developer also has to certify that he or she is absolutely...
  42. I

    Pick up gps transmitter chip signal on android app

    Hi, i would like to make an android app and a gps transmitter. Where do i start? (Sorry if this is in the wrong section)
  43. K

    Calculators Help TI-84 CONICS App is Giving Trig Formulas

    TI-84 HELP! The formulas under the CONICS app keeps converting into trig... It saying a circle is x=rcos(T) + H instead of (x-h)^2 + (y-k)^2 = r^2 How do I get the 'normal' formulas back? PLEASE HELP!
  44. S

    Appropriate App for Derivative Plotting

    I have some long functions with about half a dozen varibles. Some thing like: f(t) = sqrt((Gr^2*Gw^2+Gr^2)*cos(Gw*t)^2 -2*Gr*Xr*Xw*cos(Gw*t) +Xr^2*Xw^2) I want to define the variables, then plot out the curves, integrate an interval, then change some variables and re-plot the curve, and...
  45. I

    IPhone app measures really hot temperatures

    I got this app Thermal Light and I wanted to know the temperature of my fireplace before I did some marshmallow roasting.
  46. I

    IPhone app measures 2700F temperatures

    I don't know if this is the right place, but there is an iPhone app that uses black body radiation to measure temperature. Anyone who is into forging, or working with superheated ceramics would probably find this useful. It is called Thermal Light.
  47. D

    What is the best way for a beginner to learn smartphone app programming?

    Hey all, I have an idea for a smartphone app but know nothing about how to program them. I have taken an intro programming course in which I learned C++ and MatLab but I cannot figure out which language smartphones use (I have looked online and have found many possibly unreliable answers). Is...
  48. I

    Research prior to Medical Physics Program App

    Hi all, I am starting a Physics MS program in the Fall and have a few different opportunities to do research. I am wondering where I would best be positioning myself to continue on to a Medical Physics program. Which area of research would be best? One I am considering is condensed matter...
  49. T

    Schools Tutoring/grading on grad school app

    I currently grade homework assignments for my school's math department (and I tutor off and on). Will this job count for anything on my applications to physics grad schools? If not, I'm very willing to drop the job and spend more time on classes. Thanks for the advice.
  50. S

    C/C++ Is it possible to create a C++/C# app for monitoring CPU temperature?

    Hi All, I have done a lot of searching and it seems like a lot of people ask this same question but no real answers. I'm wanting to create an app that reads the cpu temp constantly. I want to create this in a windows form gui, but since this information is so scarce i'll settle for a console...
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