Goodies Await as Apple App Store Nears 1B Downloads

App Store is the leading retailer of mobile programs

(NEWSER) - Apple’s App Store has had a pretty good year—since its inception, the store has sold 1.5 billion applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch, making it the leading retailer of mobile applications, CNet reports. Not only has the App Store done well, its success seems to be increasing: the store moved 1 billion applications in its first 9 months, but then sold 500 million in the next 3 months. More»

Unlocked phones will be 'irreparably damaged' by upgrade

(NEWSER) - IPhones that have been unlocked to work on cellular networks other than AT&T may be damaged "irreparably" by an iPhone software update being released this week, Apple warned yesterday. What's worse, the company says the unlocking also voids the warranty, so users would have to pay for replacements out of pocket. One of the features included in the update will enable users to buy music over a WiFi connection. More»

Pentagon develops apps for ubiquitous Apple devices

(NEWSER) - With more than 30,000 third-party applications now available for the iPhone and iPod touch, a new organization is getting into the game: the American military. As the Independent reports, the Pentagon thinks Apple's gadgets are ideal for "network centric warfare" and is funding projects for everything from translation to bomb disposal. Some soldiers on the front lines are already using the technology. More»

(NEWSER) - The videogame industry, recently geared toward churning out bigger and bigger blockbusters, is shrinking its ambitions down to iPhone size, the Los Angeles Times reports. Thanks to Apple’s App Store, the iPhone and iPod Touch have become surprisingly popular gaming devices—and developers have taken notice. Electronic Arts, for example, will release 14 iPhone games this year. More»

Prices change: They'll range from $0.69 to $1.29

(NEWSER) - Apple will remove DRM anti-piracy software from the music it sells on the iTunes store, the New York Times reports. As part of a new deal reached between Apple, Sony BMG, the Universal Music Group and the Warner Music Group, songs will be DRM-free and will be priced differently. New hits will be sold for $1.29 a song, while the majority of songs will cost 69 cents. More»