Did you know there was almost never an iPhone app store? Stevey J (Steve Jobs) was initially against the idea.

But once he realized that a wide range of apps could bring a ton of new users into the iPhone ecosystem, he changed his tune.

And on the 6th of March 2008, Apple released a public 'software development kit' (or SDK) for the iPhone.

It looks like we're about to have a similar moment for Web3 apps (aka 'decentralized apps' or dApps).

Right now, there are Web3 friendly hosting platforms (like Amazon Web Services), but no Web3 specific hosting platforms.

Coinbase wants to change that, with a developer platform they're calling 'Node.'

The platform supplies developers with a range application programming interfaces (APIs) that are specifically designed to integrate Web3 functionality into apps (and as a result, turning them into dApps).

Here's how it works:

Let's say you're building a mobile gaming app and want to reward users with NFTs each time they beat a level.

These APIs have already done a lot of the grunt work for you, so linking your game to a blockchain network is faster and easier than ever.

In many ways, these APIs do for coding, what DoorDash does for food delivery.

You could build your own app and delivery network for your restaurant...or you could just sign up for DoorDash.

Here's why this is substantial:

Flywheel #1
Easier development tools → attracts more devs → who create more apps → which attract more users → which attracts more devs → rinse/repeat.

Flywheel #2
The more users and devs there are → the bigger these blockchain networks become → the more valuable and widespread Web3 becomes.

Oh and how's this for burying the lead...it's free to use!

Now, will someone - please - give us a high five.