10 Billion Downloads At Apple App Store10 Billion Downloads At Apple App Store

Many vendors try to revolutionize the IT industry. Apple is one who has done it: the company recently celebrated the 10 billionth download at its App Store.Unveiled in July 2008, growth at the App Store has been dramatic. The store opened with 500 applications and now touts more than 350,000, some of which are free and some are paid. Apple hit 1 billion downloads nine months after its launch and 5 billion less than a year ago, in June 2010.

Because of its success, competitors have been trying to emulate the Apple store. Google, Research In Motion, Nokia, and recently Microsoft have opened up their own application stores. They have focused on flaws in Apple's approach. The company has been criticized for its heavy handed approval process, so competitors have been less restrictive in determining which applications can be offered to customers.

The popularity of the App Store means that it is an advertising and product distribution avenue that small and medium businesses must pay attention to. Increasingly, customers are relying on their smartphones to garner information about new products and services. Consequently, these businesses need to add App Store support to their Web and ecommerce sites.