App Store about to hit a billion download - offers free entry to win

With no press or fanfare Apple announced it is about to hit a billion downloads from the App Store - just a little promo. a count down, on their home page marks the pending moment. Along with a count down, currently at 948,497,512, Apple invites us all to "join the celebration" and possible be the single winner of their prize; providing you qualify. Clicking on the promo takes us to the 1 billion App Countdown web page.

You have to be 13 years of age or older and be a resident of one of the eligible countries. The official rules can be found here.

The one winner will receive a 17" MacBook Pro, an Apple Time Capsule, a 32GB iPod touch and one $10,000.00 iTunes gift certificate. Ten-thousand dollars... that's a lot of music, movies and apps to be sure. If I were to win I would have to pick up an Apple TV as well.

The best part of Apple's sweepstake is that there is no purchase necessary to enter. You can go to the 1 billion App Countdown page and click on the "Enter to with without purchase" link. Or you can download ANY paid or free app from the App Store and you are entered to win automatically. You are however limited to entering 25 times per day.

The winner the person to download an app or submission via the no purchase necessary form fight after the 999,999,999th app is downloaded. There are some additional situations that may occur in which a tertiary winner is picked, and you should read the official rules before entering.

The countdown is now saying 948,625,782 apps have been downloaded. That was 128,270 apps sold in the time it took me to write this blog entry. With less than 52,000,000 apps to be downloaded before we have a winner, this sweepstake will be over within a week. Good luck everyone!