To feel the true weight and import of that number you really have to say it out loud while channeling Carl Sagen. Still, a run of the mill press release chock full of throw away facts from our friends at 1 Infinite Loop that’s a nice way to start your week, especially if you’re an iPhone developer looking for a feel good moment.

Apple has announced that more than 2 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store, which they’re calling the largest applications store in the world.

“The rate of App Store downloads continues to accelerate with users downloading a staggering 2 billion apps in just over a year, including more than half a billion apps this quarter alone,” said Steve Jobs. “The App Store has reinvented what you can do with a mobile handheld device, and our users are clearly loving it.”

With availability in 77 countries and spanning 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel, the App Store is home to 85,000 apps for the world’s 50 million iPhone and iPod touch users. Further, Apple’s claiming that 125,000 developers have signed up for for the company’s iPhone Developer Program, which means each has on average created 0.68 apps.

See also: See and hear the late Carl Sagan say the word “billion”.

Has there ever been a more pointless bit of trivia than “85,000 apps”? What percentage of those have been downloaded more than a few times, let alone have earned their creators a return on investment? Granted, there’s a lot more to the App Store than flashlight and fart apps, but I’d be greatly surprised if even 10 percent of the apps available are worthy of the name…

What’s your take?

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Entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pm under Commercial Software, Free Apps, Internet, News, iPhone, iPod Touch.  Print This Post

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