50 Billion App Store Downloads Countdown has begun

50 billion ios apps contest

A little over a week after Apple announced that the 45 billion App Store downloads mark had been passed (which took just over 4 months to get from 40 to 45 billion), the count down for 50 Billion downloads has begun. As with the previous grand giveaways, the lucky person who downloads the 50 billionth app will win a $10,000 App Store Gift Card. But as an added twist, the next 50 iOS users to download an app will also score a $500 Gift Card. In other words, the contest will end after the 50,000,000,050th app has been downloaded. For the complete details, head over to the 50 Billion Downloads page on iTunes, where you’ll also find the Top 25 Paid/Free iPhone and iPad apps of all time.

Mac Deals: Best time to buy a Mac, iPhone and iPad

mac-deals-when-to-buy

Thinking of buying a new iMac, Macbook, iPhone or iPad, but don’t exactly want to pay the full retail price found on launch day? Dealnews has analyzed over a year’s worth of Apple deals to help buyers with when to buy a Mac, or more specially, when they can expect to find the best discounts on Apple hardware. Here’s the quick rundown:

  • MacBook Pro 15.4″ with Retina Display - wait 9 months and save $350
  • iPhone 5 - wait 3 months and save $73
  • iPad (current gen) – wait 1 month and save $59
  • iPad mini – wait 3 months and save $29

Since Apple doesn’t normally slash prices on their iDevices (save for perhaps Boxing day and Black Friday), the best places to find discounts are resellers like MacMall, Amazon and even the Apple eBay store (certified refurbished products). Check out the infographic after the break.

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Apple Giveaway: iTunes – 12 Days of Christmas updated for 2012 holiday season (International App Stores)

The annual “12 Days of Christmas” giveaway is back, as the app has been updated in preparation for the holiday season. Starting December 26th – January 6th, there’ll be daily freebies courtesy of Apple.

You and your friends can download a fantastic selection of songs, music videos, apps, books and TV episodes for free. Each download will only be available for 24 hours. Get our 12 Days of Christmas app to make sure you don’t miss out.

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iPad Mini to be announced soon? Apple sends out invites for ‘Special Event’ on Oct 23rd

Apple has announced via press invites that a special event will be held on Oct 23rd in San Jose, with the tagline “We’ve got a little more to show you”. The ‘little’ presumably alludes to the long speculated iPad Mini, a more portable iPad that has been rumoured to have a 7.85″ (non-retina) display, a thinner body, a rear facing camera and the new lightning port. With a host of other 7″ tablets flooding the market – most notably the Nexus 7 – it is expected that the iPad Mini’s price point will be an attractive one, possibly in the $249-299 range for a 16GB model. Here are several mockups of what it could look like next to an iPad 2/3.

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iPad Mini screen protector product page up on Zagg.com

The iPad Mini hasn’t even been announced yet, but that hasn’t stopped numerous manufacturers in China from selling cases based on (presumably) leaked specs. Now Zagg, makers of the ZAGGFolio Keyboard Case (TMA review) and  invisibleShields for mobile devices, has added a landing page on their website for the Apple iPad Mini Screen Protector. You can’t actually buy it yet, or even pre-order the Mini’s invisibleShield, but it shows that it’s coming soon and there’s an option to submit your email to be notified when it does become available. As it stands, the only option mentioned is the Screen Coverage for $24.99, though it maybe safe to assume that a full body protection coverage option will be offered at a later time.

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Apple pays tribute to Steve Jobs

One year ago, on Oct 5th, 2011, Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs died at the age of 56 from pancreatic cancer. Today, Apple pays tribute to the one-of-a-kind visionary with a heartfelt video eulogy on its homepage and a letter from Tim Cook.

Steve’s passing one year ago today was a sad and difficult time for all of us. I hope that today everyone will reflect on his extraordinary life and the many ways he made the world a better place.

One of the greatest gifts Steve gave to the world is Apple. No company has ever inspired such creativity or set such high standards for itself. Our values originated from Steve and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. We share the great privilege and responsibility of carrying his legacy into the future.

I’m incredibly proud of the work we are doing, delivering products that our customers love and dreaming up new ones that will delight them down the road. It’s a wonderful tribute to Steve’s memory and everything he stood for.

Tim

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Fox 5 NY: iPhone 5 has a laser keyboard and other cool features

Been out of the loop and still wandering what kinds of features the iPhone 5 is packed with when it launches this Friday? Well just know that it doesn’t have a laser keyboard (which is something you actually can buy as an accessory) or holographic images, as reported by local affiliate Fox 5 News.

“Starting at $200, the iPhone 5 is sleeker, has a laser keyboard, holographic images and other cool new features”.

The futuristic iPhone shown is actually a clip from Aatma Studio’s 2011 video titled ”iPhone 5 Concept Features”. It goes without saying that a news editor or 2 neglected to do basic fact-checking. Well at least they got the starting price right.

[Gizmodo]

iPhone 5 pre-orders top 2 million in 24 hours

Apple announced earlier this morning that iPhone 5 pre-orders topped 2 million in just 24 hours, which is double the previous record of the iPhone 4S’ 1 million mark last year. Shortly after pre-orders went live on Apple’s Online Store, a Sept 21st shipping date slipped to 2-3 weeks. According to the press release, while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on Friday, “many” won’t be delivered until October. AT&T also experienced record sales, calling it their most successful iPhone launch ever. If you missed out and don’t want to want several weeks before getting your hands on one, the iPhone 5 will be available in Apple Stores at 8am local time on September 21. Contract pricing will be as follows in the US: $199 for the 16GB, $299 for 32GB, $399 for the 64GB model. Full PR after the break.

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iPhone 5 pre-orders to begin at 12AM PST, 3AM EST on Friday

If you’re one of the countless wondering just what time pre-orders for the iPhone begin this Friday, September 14th, it appears that the start time will be 12:01AM PST (3AM EST) – this according to a press release from Sprint. Both AT&T and Verizon have not yet to disclose when they’ll be taking pre-orders on their websites. It’s probably safe to say that Apple too will be commencing pre-orders online at the midnight mark.

Buying the iPhone 5 on a contract will cost $199 for the 16GB. $299 for a 32GB, and $399 for the 64GB model. Meanwhile, the off contract price for the iPhone 5 starts at $649 for the 16GB. For those who’d rather skip the pre-orders online and experience first hand the joys of camping outside an Apple Store the night before (or nights), the official launch begins at Apple Retail Stores at 8:00 a.m. on September 21.

[GottaBeMobile]

iPhone 5 landing page now live, watch Apple’s intro video

Now that the media event is over, the Apple Online Store is back online , and with it, the iPhone 5 landing page. Yes it features a faster A6 chip, ultrafast wireless, an improved iSight camera and plenty more. Apple’s also included an informative video of all the new features of the next gen iPhone, along with glimpses of its design and manufacturing process. Definitely a must a watch, especially if you’re already itching to make the pre-order.

Update: We’ve embedded the iPhone 5 intro video below.

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