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Nearly 10 billion apps have been downloaded from Apple's App Store worldwide, and Apple has put up a big counter to show it off.

To say that Apple's App Store has been a huge success would be an understatement. At the end of September 2009, <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/09/28/2-billion-apps/">2 billion apps</a> had been downloaded from the store. In January 2010 the number was <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/01/05/three-billion-app-store/">3 billion</a>. The number has more than tripled approximately one year later, showing the strength of Apple's app ecosystem, which now encompasses three major devices: the iPod touch, the iPhone and the iPad. 

To celebrate the occasion, Apple will give a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card to the person who downloads the 10 billionth app (don't worry, it can be a free app). The rules of the contest, which ends after the 10 billionth app has been downloaded, are <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/10-billion-app-countdown/rules/" >here</a>. 

[via <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/10-billion-app-countdown/" >Apple</a>]

<em>Thumbnail courtesy of <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.istockphoto.com/mashableoffer.php">iStockphoto</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=473920">fpm</a>, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=927871">grybaz</a></em><div class="feedflare">
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