Apple iTunes Sets Sights On 500 Million Songs

The maker of the iconic iPod media player wants to reward the buyer of song number 500,000,000 with some choice prizes.

Apple will deliver some very nice prizes as part of their countdown to 500 million songs sold via their iTunes Music Store. For each song purchase that hits a 100,000 interval, the buyer will receive an iPod Mini and an iTunes gift card for 50 songs.

The big winner gets rewarded for buying song number 500 million. The grand prize consists of 10 iPods of the winner’s choice, an iTunes gift card for 10,000 songs, and an all expenses paid trip for four to see Coldplay at a date on their summer 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,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of applications.

“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.”

Recordings of U2 and Paul McCartney performing a pair of songs, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “The Long and Winding Road,” will be available on the iTunes Music Store.

Both songs were recorded live at this past weekend’s Live 8 benefit concert in London. Proceeds from the sales of these one- time-only performances will benefit debt relief in Africa.

David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.