App Store hits 300 million downloads

by Stevie Smith - Dec 8 2008, 13:05

It may have its detractors but new usage figures certainly suggest there’s no denying the popularity of Apple's App Store. Indeed, while some have criticised Apple's annoying habit of blocking applications it happens to be in the process of developing itself, the Cupertino-based gadget giant has announced a milestone of 300 million downloads.

The App Store has taken a little less than five months to reach the landmark of 300 million downloads since opening its virtual doors in the summer. And, according to a report in Silicon Valley Insider, the latest achievement follows on from the store needing only 61 days to rack up its first 100 million downloads, and just 43 days each to reach 200 million and 300 million downloads.

Silicon Valley Insider also offers that an average iPhone user is responsible for downloading around 15 applications per handset, based on Apple having injected the mobile market with some 25 million iPhone and non-telephonic iPod Touch handsets.

And, furthering the App Store's rolling exposure, news reports appearing late last week said that some 10,000 applications have now been made available for online download.

That figure was subsequently disputed in a CNN Money report as Apple has supposedly pulled around 325 of the total from the store, which places the active application count at approximately 9,676.

However, AppShopper.com has now indicated that the total figure has indeed surpassed the 10,000 mark thanks to the utilisation of a special program that constantly works to tally ingoing and outgoing App Store applications.

Since its official launch on July 11, the Apple App Store has grown quickly from a modest allocation of 500 applications through to a truly impressive selection of downloadable content for those holding the iPhone and its iPod Touch stable mate.

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