Apple Promises Mother Lode to Billionth App Downloader

An anonymous reader writes "Apple has posted a counter of App Store downloads as they approach one billion downloads. The lucky billionth downloader gets to walk away with a stash consisting of a MacBook Pro, 32GB iPod Touch, Time Capsule and $10,000 iTunes gift certificate. The App Store now has over 30,000 applications."

Re:Not the billionth downloader

[esocid]

You can also submit a form to enter without purchasing anything.

plus some apps are free

Re:Nevermind I was wrong

[emocomputerjock]

If /. had an -1 incorrect option I'd have to set my threshold to imaginary numbers to see anyone's comments.

Taxes?

[ThePopeLayton]

Is apple willing to pay the taxes on all that for you? Seriously that gotta be at least 13K in prizes for which the US gov will want ~ 50%. Most companies offer people the prize or let then refuse it all together (this is what "The Price is Right" does). Most people end up turning down prizes because they can't afford to pay the taxes on them. Even if the person has the cash on hand to pay the taxes who is going to fork over 5K just to get a prize. Basically they'd be getting everything at half price. Apple knows this and is using the "prize" as just a publicity stunt..

Re:Taxes?

[vux984]

Is apple willing to pay the taxes on all that for you? Seriously that gotta be at least 13K in prizes for which the US gov will want ~ 50%.

Depends entirely on your tax bracket. And if your tax hit is going to be 50% you can probably afford it. If my brother won it (as a grad student he's got more deductions than income) he probably wouldn't pay a dime in tax.

Most companies offer people the prize or let then refuse it all together (this is what "The Price is Right" does). Most people end up turning down prizes because they can't afford to pay the taxes on them.

How can they not afford to pay the taxes on them? Taxes aren't usually due immediately, you usually pay them when you file your annual return.
In the mean time, they can simply flip the prize on craigslist / ebay for 75-90% of retail, and keep the difference. (Or sell part of the prize to cover the taxes...)

Even if were due immediately, take out a line of credit, and when you sell, pay off the line. The interest cost will reduce your profit only slightly.

Even if the person has the cash on hand to pay the taxes who is going to fork over 5K just to get a prize. Basically they'd be getting everything at half price. Apple knows this and is using the "prize" as just a publicity stunt..

Duh. Of course its a publicity stunt. All prizes are.

That said, its not bogus. If you win, you win stuff. Its not like those ridiculous '2 year lease on a car' prizes which, for most people are more hassle than they are worth. (Its pretty bogus to win a nice car "for a while" and then have to give it back or buy it. And what are they supposed to do with their existing car in the meantime?)

Re:Mother Lode?

[saiha]

Yeah, those greedy bastards.

Re:The ultimate geek dilemma

[Anonymous Coward]

if i won that .. i might become a convert to Mac :)