Apple App Store near 10 billion downloads; $10,000 iTunes prize announced

 
Apple's App Store has resulted in almost 10 billion downloads,some paid, some free -- and to whomever downloads the 10 billionth app will go a $10,000 iTunes gift card.

The 10-billion-app mark is a testament to the power that Apple has built in its digital distribution model through iTunes and its iOS devices -- the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.

ITunes has proved to be a model many other companies are seeking to be a part of and replicate on their own, without the tech giant taking a cut of profits -- especially in the struggling publishing and entertainment industries.

Even Apple is looking to re-create its iTunes success: It launched the Mac App Store on Jan. 6, a digital shop pushing apps for its desktop and laptop computers.

And it seems Apple could have knocked in another home run. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company said that more than 1 million apps for Macs were purchased on the new store's first day.

Apple posted a ticker on its website Friday, displaying the countdown to 10 billion app downloads, with a paragraph of text reading:

    As of today, nearly 10 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store worldwide. Which is almost as amazing as the apps themselves. So we want to say thanks. Download the 10 billionth app, and you could win a US $10,000 iTunes Gift Card. Just visit the App Store, and download what could be your best app yet.