Neil Hughes"Frankly I think people are trying to catch up with the first iPhone two years ago," Cook said. "We've long since moved beyond that."
Apple was faced with outstanding demand for the iPhone 3GS during the September quarter — something that even caught the hardware maker by surprise. Cook admitted that the company was forced to change its orders for components in response to consumer needs.
"I think it shows there is an intense appetite for Apple's latest technology," he said, "and we were very pleased with the result."
After the iPhone debuted in 2007, competitors rushed to emulate the touchscreen capabilities of the device. So far, numerous competitors have emerged, but all have failed to capture the buzz of the iPhone.
Google's smartphone OS has made attempts to chip away at the iPhone share, but so far has been largely unsuccessful. The latest Android handset attempting to steal some of the iPhone's buzz is the Motorola Droid, which was leaked in pictures Monday. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said his company is not concerned by any of the competitors' offerings they have seen thus far.
"We are continuing to focus on delivering state-of-the-art products at price points our competitors can't match," Oppenheimer said, "and will provide increasing value to our customers."
During the last quarter, Apple sold 7.4 million iPhones, a record setting pace that was 7 percent higher than the same period in 2008. It amounted to $2.297 billion revenue.
Sales are predicted to grow even further, as the device launches in China on Oct. 30. It will start with 1,000 points of sale and expand further over the next several months.
The average sale price of the iPhone in the fourth quarter was just over $600, a number that reflects a mix of high iPhone 3GS sales.
In addition, over 50 percent of the Fortune 100 are deploying a pilot program of the iPhone, Apple announced Monday, and over 350 higher education institutions have approved iPhones for students and faculty.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
99 Comments
Not on Wifi though.
This seems like spin to me, seems like other folks are catching up.
I can only hope this is the dawn of multi processing on the iPhone, and many other goodies to come!
...The average sale price of the iPhone in the fourth quarter was just over $600, a number that reflects a mix of high iPhone 3GS sales.....
They calculate that average to include subsidies, right? If so, what's the published number for that? Or if not, how is it calculated? It's confusing to see a $600 average price for a phone that has 3 models that sell (in the US) for $99 to $299. I'm having trouble coming up with a scenario for $600...
That's all good and well, but I ask when will my iPhone finally..
1. Receive a much needed display update... 480 x 800 is now the norm on the most advanced smartphones these days. (Note: 2.5 times the 320 x 480 of the iPhone 3GS).
2. Attain acceptable battery life... 3 to 4.5 hour of talk time is what mine gets - at best.
3. Allow multi-tasking of the apps I've installed, as opposed to only those 2 or 3 of Apple's choosing.
4. Update that archaic grid-based GUI, that looks like the 3 year old design it is.
Understand, Apps are nice, but the iPhone still lacks much of the core smartphone functionality that numerous non-Apple units have had for years already.
Stop resting on your laurels Apple and Step It Up... The iPhone is hardly State Of The Art Any Longer.
Update that archaic grid-based GUI, that looks like the 3 year old design it is.
Yeah -- down with pesky dino grids! Apple should just throw all the buttons in random places and let us try to find them like Easter eggs. Better yet, give them all exotic animal shapes that change every time you turn on the phone. That would be different!