iPhone 3G hits 1 million sales mark in 3 days

The 1 millionth iPhone was sold on Sunday, three days after launch; the 1 million sales mark for the original iPhone took 74 days

Apple iPhone 3G is an instant hit, with over 1 million sold during the first weekend on sale, while App Store chalks up over 10 million downloads

Over 1 million iPhone 3G's were sold during its first weekend on sale, Apple has announced.

The latest version of the iconic mobile device, which has added high-speed 3G mobile data and GPS capabilities, plus support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, to the original user-friendly touchscreen design, went on sale on Friday July 11 in some 21 countries. The 1 millionth iPhone was sold on Sunday, three days after launch.

The 1 million sales mark for the original iPhone, which debuted solely in the USA, took 74 days.

Apple also released upgraded firmware, iPhone 2.0, on Friday so that existing iPhone and iPod Touch users can upgrade their devices to support hundreds of applications now available via the new iPhone App Store. The new iPhone 2.0 firmware upgrade is available free of charge to iPhone users via iTunes.

Apple also announced that App Store downloads topped 10 million over the first weekend in business. More than 800 third party applications are available on the App Store, over 200 which are free of charge, and 90 per cent priced at under $10 each.