Apple starts the countdown to half a billion of songs sold in the iTunes music store with a special action. As of now, there is an online-song-counter in the iTunes music store and for every 100 1,000th those buyer WINS song, which bought up to 500 million threshold, one iPod mini and a gift certificate for 50 songs.

The person buying the 500 millionth song, can look forward to 10 iPods of his choice, a gift certificate for 10,000 songs, as well as an all inclusive trip for four to a concert of the British band Coldplay on their world tour.

Apple is also the availability of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “The Long and Winding Road” in the iTunes music store. The two joint live performances by U2 and Sir Paul McCartney were last weekend while the ‘Live 8′-charity concerts recorded – the proceeds from the sale of these recordings to the debt relief for Africa used.

≪ blockquote > Eddy cue, VP of applications from Apple

As we approach the historic milestone of 500 million legal downloaded songs, we want to thank our customers, the artists and the music labels, who helped us to help iTunes to this incredible success. iTunes is the # 1 on the online music services worldwide and offers the most comprehensive selection of digital music including special events such as, for example, the Live 8 concerts.

The iTunes Music Store United States includes more than 1.5 million songs; the offer is made of music of all major labels as well as more than 1,000 leading independent labels from around the world. In addition, the iTunes music store offers a repertoire of over 10,000 books, a variety of exclusive songs and the ability to purchase gift certificates.