Apple has sold one million new iPhone 3Gs worldwide. Image courtesy of Apple.

Three days into its launch last Friday (11 July), Apple has sold one million new iPhone 3Gs worldwide.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, said: “iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend. It took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones, so the new iPhone 3G is clearly off to a great start around the world.” 

The iPhone 3G is now available in 21 countries – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US – and will go on sale in France on 17 July.

The new iPhone 3G combines all the features of the first version of the iPhone plus 3G networking that is twice as fast, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs over 800 third party applications available through the new App Store.

Apple also announced today that the App Store has already had more than 10 million downloads since its launch on Friday. Developers have created hundreds of mobile applications ranging from games to location-based social networking to medical applications to enterprise productivity tools.

Users can wirelessly download applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch and start using them immediately. More than 800 native applications are now available on the App Store, with more than 200 offered for free and more than 90% priced at less than $10 (£5).

Jobs said: “The App Store is a grand slam, with a staggering 10 million applications downloaded in just three days. Developers have created some extraordinary applications, and the App Store can wirelessly deliver them to every iPhone and iPod touch user instantly.”

However, the news isn’t all rosy – the sheer demand for the new smartphone caused problems for Apple customers as sales systems and upgrades were hit with technical difficulties across Europe and the US. 

In the UK, O2, the exclusive mobile retailer for the iPhone, saw its web-based retail system collapse on Friday, making it impossible to register and sell the new handsets. The problem persisted into Saturday when stores were unable to sell the new phones, despite adequate stock.

For more information on the new iPhone 3G and App Store, visit: www.apple.com