iBeer: the App Store’s first viral sensation

In July 2008, Apple was gearing up for the launch of its revolutionary App Store. Steve Jobs, in a press interview, praised the extraordinary quality and sophistication of applications that could be developed for the iPhone. As part of the launch, over 500 applications were carefully selected to highlight the iPhone's new features, including an accelerometer. Among these, iBeer stood out as an app that made a phone appear to be a glass of beer.

The brainchild of magician Steve Sheraton, iBeer's magic came from its ability to react to the way the phone was held. Turning the device would cause the virtual beer to move and even pour. Sheraton had earlier showcased a similar trick on YouTube using an E-spresso app, which garnered millions of views. This success led him to sell the iBeer video file for just over €2, making a substantial income.

As Apple prepared for the App Store's launch on July 10, 2008, iBeer was ready to showcase the iPhone's capabilities. Its simple yet effective use of the accelerometer, touchscreen, and high-quality display made it easy to understand and use, requiring no technical knowledge.

However, iBeer's success sparked a wave of imitation. Later that year, Molson Coors released iPint, a free app featuring a similar virtual beer, but branded with their Carling beer logo. Sheraton and his company, Hottrix, took legal action against iPint, highlighting the rapid growth of software economics on the new platform.

While iBeer was initially seen as a novelty app, it captured the essence of what made the App Store unique. It allowed anyone to create and sell software, unlike traditional methods requiring major tech companies or physical media. In a time when smartphones were still new and magical, iBeer distilled the iPhone's capabilities into an instantly understandable and exciting experience.