Apple's iTunes music store hit its 25 billionth download -
equal to selling more than three songs for every person on Earth - and on
Wednesday gave the German student who bought the track a gift card worth 10,000
euro ($13,500).
Economics student Phillip Luepke, 22, of Hanover, Germany,
downloaded the techno song Monkey Drums (Goksel Vancin Remix) by British DJ
Chase Buch, hitting the number a decade after the online music store debuted.
"I was very surprised to hear the news," Luepke said on phone from his
Germany home.
"I woke up this morning and had an email from Apple
saying I had the 25 billionth download," he said. "In fact, I didn't
quite believe it at first. It's a new feeling for me."
Luepke, who is currently studying for exams, said he came
across the song at a disco last Saturday night. He used the song-identification
smartphone application Shazam to look up its name, after which he downloaded
Monkey Drums the following evening.
Luepke, who will celebrate over a few beers with friends,
said he is not sure how he will spend the gift certificate, but he is confident
that his music and movie collection will grow. Cupertino, Califoria-based Apple
launched the iTunes store in April 2003 and has averaged about 15,000 songs
downloaded each minute. The store has a catalog of more than 26 million songs
in 119 countries.
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