Windows 7 has had an encouraging start in the US and globally according to web analytics firm, StatCounter. The firm’s research arm StatCounter Global Stats reports that Windows 7 weekly share went from 1.75% of the US market pre launch to 2.82% by the end of October. Globally too the news was positive for Microsoft with market share increasing to the same levels.

“Windows 7 has hit the ground running and the underlying trend is positive for Microsoft,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter. “The new operating system should be further boosted by December holiday season sales of computers which will have Windows 7 preinstalled.”

He added that as expected it looks as if Windows 7 is taking market share from Vista and to a lesser extent XP. “In the US Vista has declined from 35.78% to 34.52% at the end of October. XP has seen a smaller fall from 48.92% to 48.47%.”

Apple today announced that developers have created over 100,000 apps for their App Store. iPhone and iPod Touch users can choose from an incredible range of apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel.  App Store users have downloaded well over two billion apps, continuing to make it the world’s most popular applications store.

“The App Store, now with over 100,000 applications available, is clearly a major differentiator for millions of iPhone and iPod touch customers around the world,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The iPhone SDK created the first great platform for mobile applications and our customers are loving all of the amazing apps our developers are creating.”

“With 10,000 downloads a day, worldwide customer response to our I Am T-Pain App has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Jeff Smith, CEO of Smule. “The App Store has given us a unique opportunity to create and grow a very successful business, and we’re looking forward to an exciting future.”

Orange today announced that it will launch the Apple iPhone in the UK on the 10th November 2009. The iPhone 3G and 3GS will be available in Orange stores with new great Pay Monthly and Pay As You Go price plans for both business and consumer customers.

Tom Alexander, CEO of Orange UK, said, “The excitement for the iPhone is immense, and this is a great day for our customers, our company and our employees. Since we announced the iPhone on Orange we have already seen more than a quarter of a million customers register their interest on our website.

We will be matching their enthusiasm with a 3G mobile broadband network that covers more people in the UK than any other operator, a commitment to deliver the best 3G experience on the iPhone and best-in-class applications and plans.

Earlier this year we stated our ambition to become the destination brand of choice for high end mobile users in the UK. With the launch of the iPhone on November 10 we’re pleased to be fulfilling that ambition.”