The iTunes Store, the world's largest online music store, has sold more than 25 billion songs since opening 10 years ago, Apple announced Wednesday. iTunes has a catalog of over 26 million songs strong and is now available in 119 countries (after expanding to 56 more countries in December). About 15,000 tracks are downloaded from iTunes every minute. Despite stiffer competition in recent years from the likes of Pandora and Spotify, Apple has retained its position atop the digital music market by deeply integrating iTunes into the iPhone and other iOS devices.
What Else You Need To Know
- The iTunes Store opened for business on April 28, 2003 with just 200,000 songs priced at 99 cents each.
- The 25 billionth song, "Monkey Drums" (Goksel Vancin Remix)" by Chase Buch, was downloaded by Phillip Lupke in Germany.
- Apple hit the 20 billion iTunes song downloads mark in September 2012.
- Apple announced in early January that its App Store has reached 40 billion downloads, with almost 20 billion from 2012 alone.
Other sources
The iTunes Store, in combination with the iPod, essentially jumpstarted the legal digital download business and in time would come to be the world's largest music retailer.- Kevin Bostic, Apple Insider
No one imagined it. Back when iTunes launched, technology allowed anyone and everyone to rip and illegally share music, threatening it as a commercially viable business.- Rene Ritchie, iMore
- iPhone Download Blog
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Apple announces 25 billion iTunes songs sold
[W]ith the recent Apple TV 5.2 software update, owners of Apple’s $99 set-top box can now see upcoming songs when playing music, choose what plays next and access their previously purchased songs from iCloud, right on their television set.
- Apple Insider
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Apple's iTunes Store sells 25 billionth song
The Store, in combination with the iPod, essentially jumpstarted the legal digital download business and in time would come to be the world's largest music retailer.
- The Loop
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∞ Apple sells 25 billion songs on iTunes
Those are incredible numbers when you think about it. I sit here and download and album or a song, but when you look at the numbers on a larger scale it’s almost too much to comprehend.
- Other
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iTunes has sold over 25 billion songs, Apple says
Despite competitors like Amazon picking up momentum in recent years, Apple has maintained a wide lead with consumers by deeply integrating iTunes into its various iOS devices including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
- Other
- Apple Announces 25 Billion Songs Sold From iTunes
- PhoneDog
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iTunes Store song sales surpass 25 billion mark
iOS users have long been able to download music from the iTunes Store, and with the recent release of iOS 6, the iTunes Store was given a new look.
- Electronista
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iTunes Store surpasses 25 billion song downloads
In December Apple engaged in a major expansion of iTunes' reach, bringing it to 56 more countries. Some of the new regions included Russia, Turkey, India, and South Africa.
- iPhone In Canada Blog
- Apple Announces Over 25 Billion Songs Sold in the iTunes Store
- Gadgetorama
- Apple iTunes Store sells 25 billionth song
- Digital Trends
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