Definition of the word killer app

The term "killer app" originated in the 1970s during the nascent stages of the personal computer revolution. Back then, the market was flooded with several cumbersome and sometimes unreliable computing devices that failed to attract mass appeal. However, a breakthrough came in 1971 when a game called "Computer Space" was launched by a California-based firm named Nutting Associates. Though the game was graphically primitive and restricted to arcade halls, it gained significant popularity, spurring other computer game manufacturers to invest in more sophisticated simulations. The success of "Computer Space" gave rise to a new group of computer applications called "games." They were popular among technology enthusiasts and helped show the potential of computing devices beyond their intended applications. Apple's Steve Jobs realized this potential and set his sights on creating the IBM PC's killer app, which could put Apple in a dominant position. His search for a defining application led him to visit a small startup named VisiCorp, which developed a graphical word processing program called "VisiOn." This software, later renamed "WordStar," earned the title "killer app" as it not only transformed the PC's usability but also made companies switch to PCs from Macs. Since then, the term "killer app" has been used to describe innovative digital products and services that can turn around an entire technological industry, giving rise to gripping businesses and creating ideal competitive landscapes. Essentially, killer apps represent a meeting point of technical innovation and user experiences that capture the market's demand and attentsion for perpetuating disruptive trends.