Thats right, Apple Computer have begun the countdown to half a billion songs bought from iTunes. On this page Apple have put a counter that is moving surprisingly quickly towards the landmark number.

Apple are giving away an iPod Mini and a 50 song iTunes Music Store gift card to the customer who purchases the winning song at each 100,000 interval. The Grand prize of 10 iPods for yourself, a gold 10,000 song gift certificate and a chance to see Coldplay on there world tour.

“As we prepare to cross this major milestone of half a billion songs, we want to thank our customers, the artists and the music labels who have helped make iTunes a global success”, Apple’s vice president of applications Eddy Cue said. “iTunes continues to be the world’s number one online music store featuring the world’s best digital music including special performances such as the Live 8 concerts.”

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