Did you know that 2019 marked the first time in history that people spent more time on their phones than watching TV? The Billion Dollar App tells the story of the apps that have led to this seismic cultural transition. It covers the past decade of the app industry, examining its greatest triumphs and most dramatic failures to explore what makes an app a billion-dollar success. The key to success consists of nine principles, which answer fundamental questions such as: Why did a video-sharing app like Vine fail, while the extremely similar TikTok is thriving? How did "Let's take an Uber" and "Just Venmo me" seamlessly enter our collective lexicon? How did Spotify revolutionize an industry while you've probably never heard of the app Rdio? How do free apps make money while paid apps don't, and why doesn't monetization have one-size-fits-all solutions? But really, we're answering a broader question: How do you make an app that effectively stands out in a crowded field? This book includes no technical jargon, no holier-than-thou lingo - just straightforward discussions. Whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or simply curious about the nature of this thriving industry, this book is for you.