Apple PR: iPhone 3G S debuts with 1 million+ sales

Apple Sells Over One Million iPhone 3GS Models - iPhone 3.0 Software Downloads Reach Six Million

Apple issued a Press Release this morning to announce over one million sales of the new iPhone 3G S in its debut weekend. This number exceeds most analysts projections. Many Street mavens and pundits had presumed that Apple (AAPL) would not break 500,000. The most optimistic analysts had projected that Apple might sell about 750,000 in the opening weekend. Today’s 1 million+ sold announcement is a clear “beat” (above Wall Street expectations).

The Apple PR also highlighted that iPhone 3.0 Software downloads have now reached six million. The new iPhone operating system brings over 100 new features such as Cut, Copy and Paste, MMS*, Spotlight™ Search, landscape keyboard. The new 3.0 OS also adds new tools for iPhone developers, including the ability to:

• create push notifications
• add APIs for integration with hardware devices
• add “in app” purchases

Today’s Apple PR is also notable as it contains a direct quote from Steve Jobs, who has been on a temporary leave of absence;
“Customers are voting and the iPhone is winning,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “With over 50,000 applications available from Apple’s revolutionary App Store, iPhone momentum is stronger than ever.”

It was revealed over the weekend that Apple’s CEO underwent a liver transplant two months ago. His recovery is progressing well and Steve Jobs is expected to return to work at the end of June. More on this story via Apple 2.0