App Store reaches 1 billion downloads

It feels as though the App Store has been around forever but actually we haven’t been drooling over this technological wonder for 12 months yet.

But so it was with wide eyes, aching fingers and mouths agog that we've just watched the downloads counter over on the Apple webpage cross the one billion mark.

It was on 10th July 2008 that Steve Jobs proudly announced over 500 third party applications were ready for the App Store’s official launch the next day, and only one month later he was celebrating 60 million downloads - a pretty impressive figure, considering the craze had yet to strike.

Now, with an estimated 30,000 third party applications crushed into the App Store, and over 30 million iPhones and iPod touches sold around the globe, not only has Apple itself been transformed, but the entire games industry has been revolutionised.

As for what games and apps have been most successful, Apple recently released its list of top 20 free and paid App Store downloads.

A few of our developer and publisher buddies wanted to congratulate Apple on this momentous occasion, so we’ll hand over to them as we salute the iPhone and all who sail in her. Here's to another billion downloads.

“The App Store proved once again that Apple were right. Creativity is no longer defined by phone carriers. All developers can start and bring innovation. Thank you Apple.”
Vincent Dondain, Bulkypix

“We congratulate Apple on achieving one billion App Store downloads and we're proud to have Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition and Tetris among the all-time top selling apps.”
Adam Sussman, EA Mobile

“Tap Tap Revenge has been downloaded nearly 10 million times so we have a lot of pride in contributing to a significant chunk of this traffic and salute Apple on the 1 billionth download.”
Bart Decrem, Tapulous

"What an amazing milestone in such a short time, it's testament to the disruptive power of the platform. I can't wait to get stuck into the next billion, and we will certainly be doing our bit at Firemint to help make that happen. Thanks Apple, for changing everything!"
Rob Murray, Firemint

"This emerging Omni market is indeed measured in billions. One billion down, many more to come."
Trip Hawkins, Digital Chocolate

"Vivid Games thanks Apple for the support and wishes it another billion downloads. Everyday!"
Patryk Bukowiecki, Vivid Games