App Store passes the 20,000 apps mark

Did 5,000 iPhone apps go live in the last month? That's what we're assuming, based on the latest figures from app-tracking site Apptism.

It's now tracking 20,150 iPhone applications (at the time of writing), but the most recently published figure - in mid-January - put the App Store's total at 15,000.

That's mushrooming growth, to say the least. If true, it indicates that Apple's internal team has its approval pipeline flowing again.

Of course, it also means more competition for apps and games, whether old or new. The clamour for Apple to introduce more discovery and filtering tools for iPhone and iPod touch users to find the best apps can only increase.

Anyway, it's still a milestone worth noting. Thanks to Twitter user @ravenme for the tip.