In this Feb. 28, 2012 file photo, a man walks past an advertisement of Apple’s iPad 2 in Shanghai, China. Chinese media reports said Monday, March 5, 2012, a major creditor of Proview Electronics, which is challenging Apple Inc.’s use of the iPad trademark, has moved to have the ailing computer monitor maker liquidated. Reports by the Xinhua News Agency and other mainland media said Taiwan-based Fubon Insurance is seeking $8.68 million in debts. (Associated Press)

Wednesday concludes a noteworthy week for Apple Inc.

Apple has made headlines around the world for three significant events within the past week.

On Feb. 29, the company joined only five other companies that hold a market capitalization higher than $500 billion.

The five other companies include Microsoft Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., Intel Corp., General Electric Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp.

The technology companies listed broke into this elite group during the technology bubble in 1999 and 2000. Exxon Mobil, the more recent addition, joined in 2007.

At end of day Tuesday, Apple’s market cap closed at $530.98.

Despite the feat of breaking the $500 billion market cap, none of the five companies listed have been able to maintain such high market caps.

Noting this trend, it will be interesting to track Apple’s valuation going forward.

March 3 continued to publicize Apple’s achievements when a Chinese man downloaded the App Store’s 25 billionth app.

In just four years since the opening of the App Store, Apple has generated more than 25 billion downloads offering more than 550,000 different apps.

To drive hype about reaching this milestone, Apple launched a competition for the person who was to download the 25 billionth app. Mr. Chunli Fu of Qingdao, China won the contest when he downloaded the free version of “Where’s My Water?”

He will receive a $10,000 iTunes gift card.

“It’s incredible that Apple has had that many downloads,” junior Jerry Anderson said. “I’m only mad I wasn’t the one who downloaded the 25 billionth app.”

The unveiling of the next generation iPad at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco completes the third global headline for Apple this week.

Today, Tim Cook will take the stage and present Apple’s newest gadget.

According to technology blog Mashable, one of their sources confirmed that the next iPad will be called the iPad HD.

Consistent with the latest iPhone called the iPhone 4S, Mashable’s source sounds reliable, but it’s too early to tell.

Live streaming of Apple’s event will begin at noon.