Gifting Apps in the iTunes App Store

I wanted to gift the iPhone app 'Plants vs. Zombies' to a friend last week, but I couldn't, because there was no option to gift apps in the App Store. Thankfully that's all changed now, with the new 'Gift This App' option, and I'm expecting a gift giving app frenzy!

While checking emails this morning, I noticed that The Apple Blog had reported that Apple was now allowing iTunes customers to gift apps, so I went to check it out.

I thought perhaps Apple had just rolled out this new feature in the US only, but sure enough, there it was, the new 'Gift This App' option, in the Australian iTunes Store

Gifting in iTunes has always been easy, and gifting apps is no exception. I find gifting by email to be the simplest and quickest option -- you can even gift to multiple people at the same time.

Before you gift an app there are two important points to note, firstly, gifts in the iTunes store can only be redeemed in the same store country, and secondly, your gift recipient needs to own an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad, to use the app.

The majority of apps in the app store are very cheap, usually between $1.19 and $3.99, which makes them very affordable gifts to give.

I gifted my first app to my friend while I was writing this: Dear Luke, I saw this 'Plants vs. Zombies' app, and thought of you! Have fun killing zombies mate ;)

Verified Store Page: iTunes Store