Apple's App Store Nears 10 Billion Downloads

Downloads from Apple's App Store are nearing the 10 billion mark, and Apple has launched a sweepstakes to celebrate. A download from Apple's App Store isn't necessary, since a form allows users to enter the sweepstakes. Apple hopes to duplicate its App Store success with its new Mac App Store, which could be more difficult.

Apple said Friday that its App Store is on the verge of hitting 10 billion downloads of mobile apps. To celebrate the forthcoming milestone, the iPhone maker has launched a countdown screen and a sweepstakes under which the individual downloading the 10 billionth app could win a substantial prize.
As of 3:15 p.m. Eastern time Friday, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users had downloaded more than 9.77 billions apps. "Download the 10 billionth app, and you could win a U.S. $10,000 iTunes gift card," Apple said on its web site. "Just visit the App Store and download what could be your best app yet."
According to the sweepstakes rules, entrants must be 13 or older at the time of entry, as well as a legal resident of a participating App Store country. However, entrants don't need to download an app to participate. Apple has posted an online entry form on its web site that any qualifying individual can fill out and submit, with entries limited to no more than 25 per day.
A Repeat Performance
Apple is also hoping to eventually achieve stellar results with the Mac App Store it launched last week. More than one million Mac apps were downloaded from the online store on the first day of operations, according to Apple.
The new Mac App Store enables computer users to find and download Mac apps with the same ease as adding a favorite magazine to an iPad or a new game to the iPod touch. "Developers have done a great job bringing apps to the store, and users are loving how easy and fun the Mac App Store is," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said last week.
Though the Mac App Store only had about 1,000 apps to choose from initially, developers seem enthusiastic about creating offerings. "The Mac App Store will be huge for developers and users alike," said Evernote CEO Phil Libin, whose company makes one of the more popular apps available from the new store.
However, duplicating Apple's iTunes success in the Mac environment will be tough, noted Al Hilwa, director of applications development software at IDC. "I think the idea of an app store for Macs will have some traction, but it is not going to be the exclusive way to distribute apps," Hilwa said. "I don't expect Mac App Store to get into these stratospheric numbers of apps anytime soon."

Mac and PC app stores operated by the platform vendor are a good addition to the channel of apps for a rich ecosystem, Hilwa said. "But if it started taking PCs to the closed world of app distribution of smartphones, it will be a sad, sad day for the industry," he added.
Another Countdown in Progress
Though Apple hasn't posted any other counters on its web site, another critical countdown is currently in progress: The availability of the iPhone 4 on the Verizon Wireless network. Beginning Feb. 3, Verizon subscribers will be able to pre-order the iPhone 4 online ahead of general availability on Feb. 10.
Downloads from Apple's App Store are sure to accelerate next month when Verizon subscribers begin receiving the new handsets. Having the most desirable service provider combined with the world's most desirable mobile device will be a dream combination for many Verizon customers.
"For 2011, I'd venture to say that over 70 percent of the Verizon Wireless iPhone 4 activations will be from current Verizon Wireless customers," said Lisa Pierce, an independent wireless analyst at the Strategic Networks Group.
Pierce believes this will significantly impact Android's momentum in particular, since the adoption of Microsoft's new Windows Phone 7 is just getting started. On the other hand, Google's "Android could benefit by seeing exactly what features/functions iPhone 4 buyers consider so essential and then rolling those into a later [mobile platform] release."