Over the weekend, Apple’s iTunes Music Store passed more than one half billion songs sold and downloaded. The 500 millionth song was “Mississippi Girl” by Faith Hill. It was purchased by Amy Greer from Lafayette, Indiana.
Apple held a contest to count down or — depending on your perspective — up — to the 500 millionth song. As the grand prize winner, Greer wins 10 Apple iPods she can share with family and friends, a 10,000 song gift card for use on iTunes and an all-expenses paid trip for four to see Coldplay on their world tour.
Apple operates iTunes stores in 19 countries. The service features more than 1.5 million songs from major music companies and over 1,000 independent record labels, 10,000 audio books, gift certificates and exclusives. In its most recent release, iTunes 4.9 added the ability to subscribe, manage and download “podcasts.”