Apple App Store downloads top three billion

(courtesy of Apple)

Apple on Tuesday announced that more than three billion mini-applications for iPhone and iPod Touch devices have been downloaded from the firm's online App Store.

"Three billion applications downloaded in less than 18 months; this is like nothing we've ever seen before," Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said in a release.

"We see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon."

The announcement came as reporters and bloggers swarmed to Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, for an "Android press event" at which the Internet giant is expected to unveil its own smartphone.

A "Google phone" would weigh in a contender in a smartphone market dominated by iPhones.