Skip to main content

UK woman helps Apple reach 10 billion app downloads

Apple over the weekend reached its ten billionth iTunes app download, the company announced on Saturday.  The record app was a free game called Paper Glider and was downloaded on the iTunes account of Gail Davis of Opington, Kent, England. When Apple called Davis to inform her that she had won a $10,000 iTunes gift card, the mother of two said “Thank you very much, I’m not interested” and hung up the phone.

After her daughters informed her of her mistake, Davis frantically tried to call Apple back, but was unable to get past Apple’s help desk operators.

“The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a genuine call,” she says. “The girls were getting quite tense. They never would have forgiven me. They would have held it against me for all eternity,” Davis is quoted as saying in a Cult of Mac report.

Fortunately for her, an Apple executive rang back a few hours later to deliver the news. Davis credits one of her daughters for making the fortuitous download that earned the family $10,000 in additional app downloads. Davis, whose daughters have the only app-ready devices in the household with two iPod Touches, says she’s considering upgrading her iPod Nano to get into the app bonanza.

Apple began an official countdown to 10 billion downloads on January 14, projecting that it would achieve the record on January 23. The winning download came a day earlier than expected on Saturday January 22.  The official official countdown page has now been changed to read “Thank You 10 Billion Times.”While Apple launched the App Store in July of 2008, the company says 7 billion downloads have occurred during the last 12 months.

Editors' Recommendations

Aemon Malone
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paddle wants to be first to replace Apple’s in-app billing system for developers
Someone holding the iPhone XR outdoors while it displays apps.

As a result of Apple and Epic's lawsuit, the former company is now restricted from stopping app developers from directing their users to alternate payment methods in their apps. As a result, a solutions provider business, Paddle, has announced a replacement service for Apple's in-app purchase system to go live in December.

"Paddle In-App Purchase is a true like-for-like, drop-in replacement for Apple's IAP, allowing developers to maintain a seamless user experience, without having to pay Apple 30% of every sale," Paddle shared in a press release, adding: "Paddle has a highly competitive fee structure, charging just 10% for transactions under $10, and just 5% on transactions over $10. This means that developers earn more from every purchase. "

Read more
New Apple iPad 10.2 sports affordable $299 price for educators
2021 Apple iPad with pencil.

During today's "California Streaming" event, Apple announced a new 10.2-inch iPad featuring a 12MP ultrawide camera, the Center Stage app, and keyboard and Apple pencil support.

 

Read more
Judge rules against both Apple and Epic Games in antitrust case
A man checks his phone in an Apple retail store in Grand Central Terminal.

United States District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers delivered a notable setback to Apple’s in-app purchases Friday morning. In a blow to the tech giant, Apple cannot prohibit developers from including external purchase buttons in the App Store. In other words, Apple will be required to allow apps to offer external purchasing options on their store pages. According to the ruling, this change is scheduled to take effect December 9, 2021.

The ruling provides more context for the battle of Epic Games versus Apple. Because Gonzalez Rogers ruled in favor of another claim brought on by Apple against Epic Games, the gaming giant will be required to pay Apple $3.6 million. This ruling harks back to their lengthy Fortnite fight, in which Epic offered direct external purchasing options in exchange for in-game discounts.

Read more