Apple iTunes crosses 1 Billion Downloads

In less than 3 years of its existence, Apple iTunes has reached a milestone this Thursday, crossing 1 Billion downloads. The company celebrated the occasion by giving away an iMac computer, 10 iPods and $10,000 worth of downloads to Mr. Alex Ostrovsky from Michigan, USA who downloaded Coldplay’s "Speed of Sound" Wednesday midnight and in the process gifted the company with the marvelous milestone.

In addition to the prize package, Apple will also set up a scholarship in the name of Ostrovsky at the world famous Julliard School of Music in New York.

"I hope that every customer, artist and music company executive takes a moment today to reflect on what we’ve achieved together during the past three years. Over one billion songs have now been legally purchased and downloaded around the globe, representing a major force against music piracy and the future of music distribution as we move from CDs to the Internet.", said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

"Music lovers like you in 21 countries around the globe have purchased 1 billion songs from the iTunes Music Store," the note read. "And for helping us reach this massive milestone in digital music history, we’d like to thank you."

Apple iTunes has come out as a leader in the digital music and video download arena due to easy to use features such as integrated video and podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights.

iTunes offers over 60 popular TV shows for just $1.99 for viewing on a computer or iPod and recently added new hit programming from ABC, Bravo, NBC, MTV Networks and SHOWTIME.

Launched in April 2003, iTunes did a whopping 1 million tracks within a week of its launch, and cross 70 million downloads in the first year.