500 million Apple IDs just for apps, each with a credit card on file

Jan 7, 2013 14:08 GMT  ·  By

In confirming some staggering download figures for its App Store, today Apple confirmed that it currently manages over 500 million active accounts made by people owning an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or a Mac.

Minutes ago Apple announced that its customers have downloaded over 40 billion apps with nearly half of those downloads occurring in 2012 alone.

Apple also confirmed that “The App Store has over 500 million active accounts and had a record-breaking December with over two billion downloads during the month.”

That’s 500 million credit cards used to purchase apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Soon enough, if some analysts’ theories prove to be accurate, those same credit cards will be used to purchase Apple TV apps, games, and perhaps other types of content.

And let’s not forget the possible inclusion of NFC technology in future iPhones for easy purchases at the supermarket.