Yes, $500 million is what Apple is going to spend in the full calender year 2009. And as 2009 is coming to an end, I guess most of they money is already spent in attracting more potential buyers towards Apple's products. According to the 10-K form, in fiscal 2009 Apple spent $501 million, up from $486 million in 2008 and $467 million in 2007.

But don't think Apple is the only company which is spending mammoth of amount of money in this recession times era where majority of the population is worried about jobs.

In the technological world Microsoft leads the race with reported ad budget of $1.4 billion.

Dell comes second with ad budget of $811 million .

[via CNN]