Further to the record Q1 financial report, ending 31 December 2011, which saw it post revenues of $46.33 billion, Apple has revealed app developers working under its wing have collectively earned $4 billion since the App Store's inception.

That includes $700 million between October and December.

A quick consideration of Apple's 30 percent take would indicate that overall revenue would have exceeded $5.71 billion with the Cupertino firm taking a $1.71 billion slice.

Up and up

These latest figures mark a significant rise from the $3 billion reportedly paid out by Apple to developers in October 2011.

Christmas Day marked a significant $140 million worth of apps being downloaded through iTunes, with the total number of apps now available having reached 170,000 on iPad and 550,000 overall.

[source: Inside Mobile Apps]