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Apple sells 1m iPhone 3Gs, 10m apps

by Robert Palmer Jul 14th 2008 at 12:00PM

Apple reports that it sold its one millionth iPhone 3G on Sunday, meeting (if not exceeding) many analysts expectations that it would do so. This came despite deep hurting surrounding activation of the new phones on Friday.

But hold on: because of clever accounting, a sizable fraction of those handsets were already considered "sold" as soon as they left the loading dock in Asia, according to Fortune's Apple 2.0 blog. "In other words, some of those 1 million iPhones recorded as sold by Apple may still be in transit," they wrote.

Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster had conservatively predicted that it would take 17 days for Apple to sell a million of the new handsets. He may be closer to the truth, if one counts only the units sold at retail over the weekend.

Additionally, Apple noted that users downloaded 10 million apps from the App Store since it launched last week. In another press release, The Stevester called the App Store a "grand slam."



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Apple reports that it sold its one millionth iPhone 3G on Sunday, meeting (if not exceeding) many analysts expectations that it would do...
 

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jonathan

I think it is 999,999....I ordered one Friday 9am, oops Fido sent a Samsung, even though all the paperwork says iPhone! So take my iPhone off the list.

July 15 2008 at 3:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paradoxcis

US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) REQUIRE Apple to report sales when they are realized and not when cash is exchanged or whenever the product reaches its final destination. This is called accrual-basis accounting and is practiced by all corporations subject to GAAP or International Financial Reporting Standards.

No "clever" accounting here …

July 14 2008 at 5:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jlwallen

i have been thoroughly unimpressed with the iPhone apps so far. nothing has really caught my attention. i have tried a few: twitterific, aim, kyte, sportstap, ebay, ign reviews, boxoffice, facebook, myspace, easytask, mobile news, tomatoes, etc. so far the only app i actually use is boxoffice and ebay. the ign reviews is worthless. twitterific is so so.

so far the best thing about the entire upgrade was the new delete feature in Mail.

July 14 2008 at 4:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Virtuous

I hope Apple eventually is able to permanently prevent iPhones from being jailbroken.

July 14 2008 at 2:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Virtuous's comment
tim

Huh? I can understand why someone would not be interested in jailbreaking their phone, but why would you wish to deny others the ability to use THEIR phone as they want?

July 14 2008 at 6:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Virtuous

Manufacturers have the right to lock down their phones if they so desire. You have the right to buy or not buy an iPhone.

July 14 2008 at 7:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
min_t

@Tim
Why don't you write an app for us so that we know what kind of standards we should strive to meet.

We get it. You want everything free, regardless of the amount of work someone put into giving you the free app.

BTW, the flashlight app is free.

July 14 2008 at 1:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to min_t's comment
tim

I never said I wanted everything free, but the prices for the were outrageous for some of the junk on the app store. I realize Apple doesn't set the prices, but my point is that the app store is hardly a "grand slam" when it has such a crappy selection -- especially when its compared to a FREE service!

The bottom line is that I'd be happy if the Apple Store had great applications worth paying for it, but it doesn't. Given that the Apple Store charges money, it should be dramatically better than the free offerings.

July 14 2008 at 6:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David

I am curious to know what percentage of the 10mil downloaded were paid apps. Sorry to hear the itunes Canadian gift card issue. At least you have "free" meds to deal with the stress of it all. I think the next two months will determine if it really is a grand slam but the 10mil downloads is still impressive. I am personally waiting a bit longer to see what other apps come out, some of the apps and games seem a bit over priced ie 5buks for connect 4 come on. Hoping at a min. competitors release better versions adding functions and features to already released app/game types. I am quite happy with many of the free apps and games. I love the myspace app, far less myspace clutter and advertisements. The Exchange Mail feature from my experience thus far works perfectly. Haven't tried the VPN but for business purposes the exchange feature is well worth the 2.0 download and fee for the touch.

July 14 2008 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to David's comment
John Kirk

A group called pinchmedia has done a very nice breakdown of free v. paid http://www.pinchmedia.com/fresh-pricing-data-7-11-08/ including a breakdown by category http://www.pinchmedia.com/free-vs-paid-applications-by-category/

Highly recommended reading for those who like that sort of stuff.

July 14 2008 at 4:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bryan

This is no different than Microsoft counting Zunes as "sold" when they leave the manufacturing center, the difference being the iPhone in question will no doubt be sold very quickly.

July 14 2008 at 1:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bryan's comment
Johnny Thrash

Yea, like Vista sold 10million copies... they didn't bother to say that those were sold to OEMs... not the public.

July 14 2008 at 1:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tim

If by "grand slam" Steve means "an overpriced, incredibly pale imitation of the Jailbreak Store," then he's correct. Unfortunately, the Apple store encourages people to charge for trivial crap (like Flashlight apps). I'm sure the app selection will improve with time, but I found it incredibly disappointing.

Can't wait for the iPhone Dev Team to release the new jailbreak program to free *my* (key word) phone from Steve's shackles.

July 14 2008 at 12:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to tim's comment
EmperorPsiblade

Haven't you noticed that apps like that are reviewed very low? (And free apps become availible, like the "Light" app)

I'm all for a jailbreak with Cydia but let's be reasonable, there is a negatve public response to apps that should definately be free but aren't.

July 14 2008 at 1:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
A.Mueller

I appreciate your concern for me, but as a consumer I'm quite capable of deciding what apps I'd like to pay for and which are "trivial crap."

:) Thanks for your concern.

What makes the app store great is the ease of use. Average people (not phone nerds) can actually figure out how to search for, buy and install the apps they want.

July 14 2008 at 1:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Johnny Thrash

Oh no!!! That can't be true!!! The Ballmer said the iPhone would fail!!!?!?!

July 14 2008 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scriptic

Sure - the App store is a grand slam - provided you don't want to use your previously purchased gift cards and live in Canada. The Stevester can eat my poo.

July 14 2008 at 12:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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