Download app number 50,000,000,000 from the App Store to win a $10,000 App Store Gift Card

It seems like only yesterday we were reporting on the race to download the 25 billionth app from the App Store. It wasn't, though: it was just over a year ago.

In that time, another 25 billion apps have been downloaded. This means, of course, that it's time for another real-time app counter, another milestone, and another competition run by Apple.

As always with these things, The Big A is offering the lucky punter that downloads the 50 billionth app a $10,000 App Store Gift Card.

Imagine all the Real Racing 3 cars you could buy with that. Probably about eight.

There are, natch, some terms and conditions.

You've got to be 13 years old or over (or the minimum age required in your country) to qualify for the prize. Oh, and you have to be a legal resident located in one of the participating countries. You can find all the details here.

One more thing... if you happen to download one of the first 50 apps AFTER the 50 billionth one, you will receive a $500 iTunes Gift Card. You lucky blighter.

You can sit and watch the counter ticking down / up to 50,000,000,000 apps on Apple's website now. It's actually quite hypnotic.