Apple announced that it sold its one millionth iPhone 3G on Sunday, only three short days after it became available on Friday, July 11.  The iPhone 3G is currently available in 21 countries.  The success of this second generation iPhone is huge.  To compare, it took the original iPhone 74 days to sell one million while the iPhone 3G took only a mere three days.   

 What’s the Good Word, Steve? 

After such a successful weekend, Apple CEO Steve Jobs had to enlighten us with some good words.  Straight from Cupertino, California … here’s Steve!

  ”iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend,”  said Jobs.  ”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 App Store also had huge success this weekend with over 10 million downloads.  The App Store was developed so users could download innovative mobile applications ranging from games to social-networking.

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

Accessories for Your iPhone 3G

 Griffin ClearBoost iPhone Case 

The Griffin ClearBoost iPhone Polycarbonate case boosts your iPhone’s antenna.  This case features a built-in booster antenna giving iPhone users a more dependable signal and fewer service fluctuations common in locations with weaker signals.

Otterbox Apple iPhone Rugged Case

Keep your brand new iPhone 3G protected with this Otterbox Apple iPhone Rugged Case.  Dust, dirt and sand won’t come close to touching your precious phone.  Screen protected but remains fully functional through the tough protecting case.

People have been standing in lines outside of Apple stores all across the country for the past few days in hopes of getting their hands on an iPhone 3G.  The scenario is set perfectly with lines wrapping around city blocks and Apple employees jumping around like maniacs outside the store front.  This morning at 8 a.m., thousands of desperate Apple lovers finally met their pride and joy.  And from what I can tell, everyone is happy.

People’s First Reactions to the Apple iPhone 3G

So far, so good.  Engadget has been tracking people’s first impressions of the iPhone 3G from people across the world and here are the best ….

“Just look at this obviously innovative design,” Yuki Kurita, 23, said.  ”I am so thrilled just thinking about how I get to touch this.” (from CNN.com)

An Engadget reader sent in:

“Just got my iPhone 3G from one of the AT&T stores in NYC.  Some details:  1st in line arrived at midnight; I was number 14 arriving at 6 a.m.  No 16GB iPhones (only 50 8GB); according to store manager, none of the AT&T stores received the 16GB model.”  

 Ryan Block, an Engadget blogger claims that, “In-store activation via iTunes is either “slow” or “down” — but either way, they’re handing you the phone non-activated, which needs to be completed by connecting to iTunes from the comfort of your home.”  (Thanks, Ryan!)

Random Apple News for the Day

•  The Apple App Store is now LIVE —  over 500 applications and 25 percent are FREE
• The iPhone 2.0 firmware is now LIVE
• The iTunes 7.7 is  available now, with remote control

Is Apple in Control?

That’s debatable, but quite simple.  Apple is continuously pounding out innovative and creative designs, software and devices.  The iPhone 3G is everything people have wanted (set aside copy/paste), and then some.  From the first reviews of the iPhone 3G and the pics I’ve seen up to this point, I think this will be the smartphone to be reckoned with.

Of course there are always features that should be added and technical glitches that need to be fixed, but from year one to year two, Apple has shown its dedication and vast improvements from first to second generation.  Apple is not slowing down, and with all of the new features that have been added to the iPhone 3G, it will be well worth the price. 

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow, you’re only a day away!  That’s right Apple fanatics, the release of the iPhone 3G is upon us and soon you will have full access to the fastest data speed available.  Here is a little rundown on what will be available with this nifty phone.

•  Fast 3G speed to surf the web and download email
• Microsoft Exchange — push email, calendar and contacts with ActiveSync
• Maps with GPS — use your iPhone as a GPS 
• AppStore — browse and download innovative apps for your iPhone

The Early Reviews

Well of course Steve Jobs is going to give his good friends/reviewers dibs on the iPhone 3G so they can put a good word in for him.  The following three reviews were done by the three largest national newspapers around (Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today).  Check out what they had to say about the good ol’ Apple iPhone:

Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal

-”If you’ve been waiting to buy an iPhone until it dropped in price, or ran on faster cell networks, you might want to take the plunge, if you can live with the higher service costs and the weaker battery life. The same goes for those with existing iPhones who love the device but crave faster cellular data speeds. But if you already own an iPhone, and can usually use Wi-Fi for data, you probably should hold off and get the free software upgrade before deciding whether it’s worth getting the new hardware.” 

David Pogue, New York Times

-“So the iPhone 3G is a nice upgrade. It more than keeps pace with advancing technology, and new buyers will generally be delighted….But it’s not so much better that it turns all those original iPhones into has-beens. Indeed, the really big deal is the iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store, neither of which requires buying a new iPhone. That twist may come as a refreshing surprise to planned-obsolescence conspiracy theorists — and everyone who stood in line last year.”

Edward C. Baig, USA Today

- “Extra, extra: iPhone 3G: The Sequel, is worth the wait….It’s cheaper, faster and a lot friendlier for business. Apple’s blockbuster smartphone already had nifty features such as visual voicemail, a splendid built-in video iPod and the best mobile Web browser I’ve ever used. With GPS newly added to the mix, this handheld marvel has no equal among consumer-oriented smartphones.”

Are You Waiting in Line for the iPhone 3G?

After all of the talk and anticipation of this new phone, I think it would be well worth the wait.  Yes, even for you business users.  BlackBerry has consistently been the business phone of choice, but I think Apple will give them a run for their money.  Granted, I’m of fan of many manufacturer’s and I’ll give every phone a chance, but in all honesty, Apple has yet to let me down.

Doors open Friday, July 11 at 8 a.m.