Nearly 20 billion in 2012 alone, over two billion downloads during December

Jan 7, 2013 13:50 GMT  ·  By

Apple today announced 40 billion unique App Store downloads (excluding re-downloads and updates), of which nearly 20 billion were recorded in 2012 alone, according to the Cupertino, California-based computer giant.

The App Store currently has over 500 million active accounts according to Apple. In December, the digital distribution venue registered record-breaking numbers, spawning over two billion downloads during those 30 days.

There are now 775,000 apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. All this software has generated over seven billion dollars for developers worldwide, Apple says.

Apple also confirms that users in 155 countries around the world can now access the App Store. iPad users in particular have roughly 300,000 native apps at their disposal.

App Store customers can choose from a wide range of apps in two dozen categories, including newspapers and magazines, games, business, news, sports, health & fitness, travel, social networking, and more.

According to Eddy Cue, the man put in charge by Tim Cook to handle Internet Software and Services, “It has been an incredible year for the iOS developer community.”

“Developers have made over seven billion dollars on the App Store, and we continue to invest in providing them with the best ecosystem so they can create the most innovative apps in the world,” Cue says.

Apple’s press release includes a number of statements from prominent developers, including Imangi Studios (the makers of Temple Run), Autodesk, Bad Robot Interactive, Bottle Rocket Apps, and others.

The company prides itself on offering developers all the necessary resources and tools to help them come up with great apps for its iDevices.

Apple doesn’t forget to mention the “robust ecosystem and marketplace which provide customers a safe and easy way to discover them.”

The iPhone maker also points out that developers have “great ways to monetize apps including in-app purchase, subscriptions and advertising,” as well as the company’s own help to “market and support developer efforts in the App Store and beyond.”