Earlier today, Apple Online Stores went down to give way for an updated storefront now showing Apple’s Father’s Day iPad sale. It’s not really a big sale in terms of price reduction or anything, Apple just tied Father’s Day on June 16 with its drive to promote its two flagship products right now: the iPad with Retina Display and, of course, the iPad Mini.

Apple’s App Store has achieved yet another milestone, with users downloading over 50 billion apps in about five years. The App Store launched in mid-2008 alongside the company’s iPhone 3G. Since then, the App Store has sold thousands of different applications, and has changed a lot since its original design.

Apple has put the iPod touch 5th generation up for sale in the refurbished section in their online store. Those needing to upgrade to the latest iPod touch or looking to buy their first will find a variety of colors available starting at the low price of $249. The refurbished iPod touch is available in 32GB and 64GB models.

Starting this week, Apple is offering a sweet deal for those seeking to buy their next smartphone device; those who order a new iPhone 5 or iPhone 4 will be able to receive next-day shipping free of charge. The offer is available at the online Apple store to U.S. customers only.

Apple recently made a small but important, change to how screenshots are handled at the App Store to stop scammers. You used to be able to change the screenshots that show what your app looks like at any time. Duplicitous developers would submit their app with actual screenshots from their app, and then switch them with screenshots from other apps once they got onto the App Store.

If you were annoyed at having to spend $49 to get a Thunderbolt cable to go with your new Thunderbolt hard drive, monitor, or other peripheral you have a reason to celebrate. Apple reduced the cost of its original 2.0 meter or 6-1/2 foot Thunderbolt cable to $39 from the original $49 at the Apple Store. You can save even more if you get the 0.5 meter or 20-inch Thunderbolt cable for $29, also at the Apple Store.

For those who haven’t finished with their last-minute Christmas gift shopping, Apple is offering free next-day shipping for all Apple products purchased from their online store. Buy it today, get it tomorrow for everything currently in stock, including third-party accessories. Note, however, that iPad and iPod engraving are no longer available for next-day shipping.

Apple originally expected the new iMac 27″ would be widely available by the end of December, but it appears shipment has been pushed into January 2013. Whereas customers who pre-ordered the 27″ iMac on Nov 30th will receive their products within the original estimation of “3-4 weeks,” any customers currently shopping for the 27″ iMac will have to wait until next year.

Apple has finally announced that the iPhone 5 will be released in more countries, starting with Korea this coming Friday, December 7. As stock of the iPhone 5 seems to have stabilized and shipping estimates at the U.S. Apple Store online nare ow down to 2 to 4 days, Apple has officially put the word out that more countries will be getting their units of the iPhone 5.

This week, Apple opened its doors for customers to purchase an iPhone 5 without signing a contract with a phone carrier. Apple has unlocked GSM iPhone 5 models for online and store purchase in both black and white models. The unlocked phone swill cost around $649 (16GB model), $749 (32GB model), and $849 (64GB models).