Rivals left hanging as Apple hits three billion App Store downloads

Owners of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch devices have downloaded more than three billion applications from the company’s App Store in less than 18 months, trouncing the last benchmark figure by a billion.

The company’s latest record comes little more than three months after it racked up two billion downloads, suggesting that enthusiasm for applications has grown substantially in recent weeks. Apple offers 100,000 applications through its store, offering many free to iPhone and iPod Touch owners. The App Store competes with the likes of Nokia’s Ovi store.

Apple’s competition in the app market is, however, being left behind. Steve Jobs, chief executive, said: “We see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon.”

Some of the most popular paid-for apps in the UK include games such as Tetris and Scrabble (£1.79 each). Top free apps include Let’s Golf! and Pac-Man Lite.

Users of the iPhone and iPod Touch in 77 countries can choose from apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.

Apple also confirmed it would buy Quattro Wireless, the mobile advertising company, for a sum believed to be in the region of $275 million (£170 million).

Apple is not traditionally acquisitive, but was rumoured to be interested in buying AdMob last year before Google acquired it for a figure of $750 million.

Apple’s purchase of Quattro is likely to increase competition between the two technology giants in the telecoms sector as Google launches its Nexus One handset.

The deal, which was confirmed by Quattro’s management in a blog post, follows Apple’s purchase of the Lala digital music service in December.

Quattro, which counts Ford and Procter & Gamble among its customers, places advertisements within mobile applications.