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Apple Launches '1 Billion App Countdown' Promotion

hhaeschen said:
It's ok, you don't have to apologize! ;)
Click to expand...

Thank you! LOL!

I'm frustrated!! I've been sitting on this computer for about an hour and a half and I pressed Ctrl+Alt+Del about 500 times!!!
I've been using my MacBook for more than 8 months and not once an App crashed!!!:mad:


and BTW, what do u think 'bout what I wrote?
 
This Is all the Info I could Gather until now...

10-APR-2009 03:00:00|927293669|0
10-APR-2009 04:00:00|927429125|135456
10-APR-2009 05:00:00|927585027|155902
10-APR-2009 06:00:00|927767980|182953
10-APR-2009 07:00:00|927991954|223974
10-APR-2009 08:00:00|928257635|265681
10-APR-2009 09:00:00|928549826|292191
10-APR-2009 10:00:00|928856544|306718
10-APR-2009 11:00:00|929158812|302268
10-APR-2009 12:00:00|929461487|302675
10-APR-2009 13:00:00|929773255|311768
10-APR-2009 14:00:00|930108271|335016
10-APR-2009 15:00:00|930436789|328518
10-APR-2009 16:00:00|930737778|300989
10-APR-2009 17:00:00|931015519|277741
10-APR-2009 18:00:00|931286770|271251
10-APR-2009 19:00:00|931565858|279088
10-APR-2009 20:00:00|931860441|294583
10-APR-2009 21:00:00|932138754|278313
10-APR-2009 22:00:00|932383109|244355
10-APR-2009 23:00:00|932589673|206564
11-APR-2009 00:00:00|932766515|176842
11-APR-2009 01:00:00|932927615|161100
11-APR-2009 02:00:00|933077988|150373
11-APR-2009 03:00:00|933221581|143593
11-APR-2009 04:00:00|933364065|142484
11-APR-2009 05:00:00|933519532|155467

hope it helps!!
 
If I win; Setup a new itunes library on Time Capsule via MBP. Download all my fav music, movies, games & apps. Engrave ipod maybe "999,999,999...", minus quotes, load it with best of best. Share my itunes card with family and friends. Buy an apple LED display. Post pics here :).
 
colinmack said:
Actually I don't blame them - generally many contests exclude Quebec because of the draconian language laws requiring promotion and correspondence to be in French, font sizes of text to be bigger and more prominent in French than English, etc.
Click to expand...

As if people from other countries with non-English speaking populations that are part of the contest did not have similar rights to get details about it in their own language! Most of participating countries are concerned here: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Your argument is simply flawed, and turning it into an empty political debate is just plain stupid.
 
Instead of trying to compile the results, why not use a script to log them for you?

I'm using perl but something much simpler could be:
Code: 
#!/bin/bash
while [ 1 ]
do
    curl www.apple.com/autopush/us/itunes/includes/countdown.txt >> countdown.txt
    sort -u countdown.txt > countdown.sort.txt
    sleep 2700
done

This dumps the output of the url to a file, and then sorts that file, stripping out duplicate entries, outputting to a new file. Then it sleeps for 45 minutes. You could use any sleep value less than an hour so you're guaranteed to get every update.
 
latourfl said:
As if people from other countries with non-English speaking populations that are part of the contest did not have similar rights to get details about it in their own language! Most of participating countries are concerned here: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Your argument is simply flawed, and turning it into an empty political debate is just plain stupid.
Click to expand...

I think what they were referring to here is that the laws in that province are very stringent and restrictive on such promotions and the negative effects of these rules outweigh the benefit for Apple to participate in that location. It is not a matter of the right of someone to have something presented to them in their own language, but rather a matter of the laws of Quebec imposing a detriment to Apple.

Apple could very well have produced the rules in many different languages, but the risk of how the legal terms could have been interpreted and the overall benefit of the multi-lingual presentation likely would not have been worth it to them.

I believe it is really a matter of weighing the pros vs. cons for them with the legal requirements in each location, not a denial of linguistic equality.

Presenting the information in such a diversity of languages and to have each version present the exact same information legally without the risk of a different interpretation may have been difficult. The rules have to hold up in the jurisdiction in which they were enacted, and in this case that would be California.
 
April 21st, 2009 at 7:20 pm. @ 28 seconds or so past the minute Eastern Standard time is right around when the counter hits 999,999,999. That is assuming they are going by that counter :p
 
Doesnt work for me?! :(

I get the following error when trying to submit my entry... Anyone else getting a similar one?


Application: MZFinance
Error: com.webobjects.eoaccess.EOGeneralAdaptorException: EvaluateExpression failed: (state), 8:100000000009159(id), 9:"United Kingdom"(country), 10:"<REMOVED>"(phoneNumber), 11:"<REMOVED>"(areaCode), 12:"<REMOVED>"(firstName), 13:"<REMOVED>"(email), 14:"<REMOVED>"(address1), 15:"<REMOVED>"(address2), 16:2009-04-11 09:41:04(lastModified)>: Next exception:SQL State:72000 -- error code: 12899 -- msg: ORA-12899: value too large for column "JINGLE"."MZ_BILLION_APP_ENTRY"."ZIP" (actual: 6, maximum: 5)
Reason: EvaluateExpression failed: <com.webobjects.jdbcadaptor.OraclePlugIn$OracleExpression: "INSERT INTO MZ_BILLION_APP_ENTRY(LAST_NAME, CREATED, CITY, BIRTH_DATE, ZIP, province, STATE, BILLION_SONG_ENTRY_ID, COUNTRY, PHONE_NUMBER, AREA_CODE, FIRST_NAME, EMAIL, ADDRESS1, ADDRESS2, LAST_MODIFIED) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)" withBindings: 1:"<REMOVED>"(lastName), 2:2009-04-11 09:41:04(created), 3:<REMOVED>"(city), 4:<REMOVED>(birthDate), 5:"<REMOVED>"(zip), 6:"<REMOVED>"(province), 7:<com.webobjects.foundation.NSKeyValueCoding$Null>(state), 8:100000000009159(id), 9:"United Kingdom"(country), 10:"<REMOVED>"(phoneNumber), 11:"<REMOVED>"(areaCode), 12:"<REMOVED>"(firstName), 13:"<REMOVED>"(email), 14:"<REMOVED>"(address1), 15:"<REMOVED>"(address2), 16:2009-04-11 09:41:04(lastModified)>: Next exception:SQL State:72000 -- error code: 12899 -- msg: ORA-12899: value too large for column "JINGLE"."MZ_BILLION_APP_ENTRY"."ZIP" (actual: 6, maximum: 5)
Stack trace:
File Line# Method Package
EODatabaseContext.java 5556 _exceptionWithDatabaseContextInformationAdded com.webobjects.eoaccess
EODatabaseContext.java 7380 performChanges com.webobjects.eoaccess
EOObjectStoreCoordinator.java 415 saveChangesInEditingContext com.webobjects.eocontrol
EOEditingContext.java 3196 saveChanges com.webobjects.eocontrol
ERXEC.java 513 saveChanges er.extensions
ITEditingContext.java 119 _saveChangesWithDelegate com.apple.itools.versioning
ITEditingContext.java 144 saveChanges com.apple.itools.versioning
MZAlternateEntryForm.java 175 recordEntry com.apple.jingle.app.finance.html
MZAlternateEntryForm.java 197 submit com.apple.jingle.app.finance.html
GeneratedMethodAccessor2696.java NA invoke sun.reflect
DelegatingMethodAccessorImpl.java 25 invoke sun.reflect
Method.java 597 invoke java.lang.reflect
NSKeyValueCoding.java 684 methodValue com.webobjects.foundation
NSKeyValueCoding.java 1160 valueInObject com.webobjects.foundation
NSKeyValueCoding.java 1268 valueForKey com.webobjects.foundation
WOComponent.java 1670 valueForKey com.webobjects.appserver
NSKeyValueCoding.java 498 valueForKey com.webobjects.foundation
NSKeyValueCodingAdditions.java 212 valueForKeyPath com.webobjects.foundation
WOComponent.java 1731 valueForKeyPath com.webobjects.appserver
WOKeyValueAssociation.java 46 valueInComponent com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOSubmitButton.java 59 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
ERXPatcher.java 203 invokeAction er.extensions
WODynamicGroup.java 101 invokeChildrenAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WODynamicGroup.java 110 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
ERXWOForm.java 172 invokeAction er.extensions
WODynamicGroup.java 101 invokeChildrenAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WODynamicGroup.java 110 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOConditional.java 55 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WODynamicGroup.java 101 invokeChildrenAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WODynamicGroup.java 110 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOComponent.java 1059 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver
MZFoundationComponent.java 207 invokeAction com.apple.jingle.appserver
WOSession.java 1220 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver
ITVersionAwareSession.java 115 invokeAction com.apple.itools.versioning
WOApplication.java 1523 invokeAction com.webobjects.appserver
ERXAjaxApplication.java 47 invokeAction er.extensions
ERXApplication.java 1041 invokeAction er.extensions
WOComponentRequestHandler.java 196 _dispatchWithPreparedPage com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOComponentRequestHandler.java 287 _dispatchWithPreparedSession com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOComponentRequestHandler.java 322 _dispatchWithPreparedApplication com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOComponentRequestHandler.java 358 _handleRequest com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOComponentRequestHandler.java 432 handleRequest com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOApplication.java 1454 dispatchRequest com.webobjects.appserver
ERXApplication.java 1112 dispatchRequest er.extensions
MZApplication.java 1807 dispatchRequest com.apple.jingle.appserver
Application.java 519 dispatchRequest com.apple.jingle.app.finance
WOWorkerThread.java 480 runOnce com.webobjects.appserver._private
WOWorkerThread.java 607 run com.webobjects.appserver._private
Thread.java 637 run java.lang
EOAdaptorChannel.java 1568 performAdaptorOperations com.webobjects.eoaccess
EODatabaseContext.java 7256 _performChangesWithAdaptorOps com.webobjects.eoaccess
EODatabaseContext.java 7362 performChanges com.webobjects.eoaccess
NA : Non applicable, JIT activated
 
stuartdavenport said:
Doesnt work for me?! :(

I get the following error when trying to submit my entry... Anyone else getting a similar one....
Click to expand...


It doesn't really matter since it is the billionth download that wins, and it is not a draw based system. Since we are not even close to the billionth download it's not really a big deal.
 
Well, they fixed the typo on the non-download entry form; unfortunately, it's still only one entry per day. It's probably easier to just download 25 free apps in any case, though.
 
I'd much rather a 10k gift certificate.

no one would buy a gift card from you lol:D

I entered anyhow, I could sell that MBP and time capsule and perhaps walk away with 3k
 
ksummers said:
I think what they were referring to here is that the laws in that province are very stringent and restrictive on such promotions and the negative effects of these rules outweigh the benefit for Apple to participate in that location. It is not a matter of the right of someone to have something presented to them in their own language, but rather a matter of the laws of Quebec imposing a detriment to Apple.
.
Click to expand...

I did not quote the complete original post, but the author made it clear that according to him nothing but "language laws" made Apple decide to exclude Québec from the contest, while in truth, there is not a single mention of language in Québec's contest regulation act:

http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=//L_6/L6_A.htm#

The laws might be stringent, but this has nothing to do with language. So I was trying to make it clear that having access to information (besides the whole list of rules) about the contest in other languages than English is a global issue, not specific to Québec, and that it is certainly not the reason why people from Québec are not eligible to the contest while residents of other states/countries are.

Here is the rest of the original post:

colinmack said:
Most companies just don't want to bother or risk being fined by the 'language police' (and yes, for those outside Canada, Quebec actually has a special law enforcement department that goes around and measures the size of French vs. English writing on posters, signs, or printed marketing with a ruler, and will fine thousands of dollars if the French text isn't larger).
Click to expand...
 
Realistcally how long would $10,000 to the iTunes store last you?
I've been buying from the iTunes store for five years now and last week I went through all thirty pages of my iTunes receipts and I've only spent just under $900. I can't imagine the crap I would buy with $10,000!
 
will reach a billion april 20th

if you change your computer clock to april 20th and refresh the counter you will see that it is over a billion
 
Maybe they're just gonna give the stuff to the person who spends the most money on apps between now and the 1 billion mark.
 
latourfl said:
I did not quote the complete original post, but the author made it clear that according to him nothing but "language laws" made Apple decide to exclude Québec from the contest, while in truth, there is not a single mention of language in Québec's contest regulation act:

http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=//L_6/L6_A.htm#

The laws might be stringent, but this has nothing to do with language. So I was trying to make it clear that having access to information (besides the whole list of rules) about the contest in other languages than English is a global issue, not specific to Québec, and that it is certainly not the reason why people from Québec are not eligible to the contest while residents of other states/countries are.
Click to expand...

I see. I admittedly did accept their argument that information had to be provided in both English and French as I believe this to be true. This may not be the only reason why Apple chose not to participate, but I could imagine it potentially being a good reason with how strict some laws can be at times, and the possibility to interpret information differently based on the language it is provided in. I do believe it important to provide information in many languages, but I didn't really think it was as simple as being lazy on their part, but rather legal implications involved. Apple produces their store in many different languages for international customers, so they could have presented this sweepstakes in each language if they so chose to. I'm not familiar first-hand with the laws of Québec, so I will take your word for it.
 
I don't understand. Their "official" rules aren't very official or clear.

Is it the one billionth download that wins? If so, where does it say that?

Do free apps count?

Why can you enter daily up to 25 times if it makes no difference since it's the billionth download that wins??
:confused::confused::confused:
 
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