Apple’s App Store reaches 3 billion downloads


5 Jan 2010

It looks as though 2010 is set to be as successful as 2009 for Apple’s iTunes App Store if the latest numbers are anything to go by as Apple announced today that users have downloaded 3 billion (yup, that’s billion) apps for their iPhone or iPod touch.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs summed it up when he said: “Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months — this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”

“The revolutionary App Store offers iPhone and iPod touch users an experience unlike anything else available on other mobile devices, and we see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”

In September 2009, app downloads had already hit 2 billion and the range of apps from games through to productivity, news and reference, had their fair share of the limelight.

While the publishing industry was busy pushing out both paid and free apps, as evidenced by Time magazine, the Guardian, the New York Times, as well as Irish ones, including one from RTE and the Irish Independent, some big consumer brands were creating publicity, for example, the controversial ‘Amp up before you score’ app from Pepsi.

Even celebrities, including pop star Britney Spears made their way into the App Store.

As of September 2009, there were more than 50 million iPhone and iPod touch customers worldwide with more than 125,000 developers in Apple’s iPhone Developer Program.

By Marie Boran

Photo: Apple CEO Steve Jobs.