Apple Sells One Million iPhone 3Gs in First Weekend

Apple today announced it sold its one millionth iPhone 3G on Sunday, just three days after its launch on Friday, July 11. 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 July 17.

“iPhone 3G had a stunning opening weekend,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “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 new iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of 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. In the US, the new iPhone 3G is priced at just $199 for the 8GB model, and $299 for the 16GB model**.

*Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions.

**Requires new two-year AT&T rate plan for qualified customers, sold separately.

BioWare interested in the iPhone

BioWare on the iPhone!

Now there’s something you don’t hear everyday. Veteran RPG developer BioWare mentioned in an interview by MTV that they are interested in the cultural phenomenon that is the Apple iPhone. Of course, there’s no hard words here and it’s all just speculation for now, but BioWare definitely have their eyes on the Jesus phone.

BioWare is currently working on Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the DS, which surprised fans since BioWare isn’t exactly known for developing much outside the PC frame. Of course, they did make the Xbox 360 hit Mass Effect, but it was ported over to the PC anyways, so BioWare wasn’t completely out of their element. When asked on the handheld experience, Greg Zeschuk says:

“It’s actually been great fun. That was almost one of the sort of hidden reasons to do a handheld game. One thing was to try something different and explore a different platform, and as you know, kind of sort of work in a lighter flavor of environment in terms of the game we’re working on. We’re nearing the end and it’s turning out really great.

In terms of handhelds, it’s been great because it’s also so fast. The cycle to make changes and improvements is very short compared to the hundreds of thousands of text in a full next-gen console or PC product. The iteration cycle is really short, and that makes it ideal for a short-attention span where you want to do something different every day. [laughs] It’s pretty exciting, actually. It’s been a really unique experience and one we’re definitely interested in pursuing.”

And when asked on whether they are interested in the iPhone,

“We look at every platform that comes along. Obviously, something that’s as big a cultural and technical success as the iPhone is something you really got to take a close look at. Certainly, there’s nothing written in stone yet but we’ve got a lot of folks looking at it. It’s intriguing. I think one of the things that we’ll have to see how it shakes out is what type of consumer buys games on it and what type of experience they’re looking for. You want to always mash the consumer experience with what you’re building. We want to understand what people are going to do with it. Who knows. We’re definitely looking at every platform.”

Still, BioWare is committed to the PC, for which they will be releasing their original IP, Dragon Age, a fantasy RPG that doesn’t really rock our socks yet. They are, of course, working on Mass Effect 2 and some more mysterious products.

Apple entering Handheld Console sector? iGame coming?

iGame?

Apple revolutionized the MP3 player sector with the iPod, made a mark on cellphones with the iPhone and it seems like its next stop is the handheld games industry! Wait, whuh? This doesn’t come in as an illogical move, seeing as the multimedia-rich iPhones and iPods were pretty good at playing movies and music and more in a handheld system. A gaming console looks like the next logical step in the progression.To find out what’s going on, hit the jump!
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CES 2008: Altec Lansing unveils iPhone compatible audio system

Altec Lansing T612 audio system

Much like the iPod and its many, many incarnations we can now expect to see hordes of accessories for Apple’s latest tool of world domination. The iPhone, which is possibly more famous for being an iPod with a phone than the other way around now has its own audio system.

The Altec Lansing T612 universal dock will happily play any music stored on the iPhone and even stops playing should you receive an incoming call. When you’ve finished chatting away, simply dock it back in to resume listening pleasure.

According to the manufacturer, the system promises excellent bass reproduction and rich sounds thanks to powerful neodymium speakers and bass enhancement technology. Good news for Hip Hop heads then.

A close up of the systems controls

Of course it’s not only iPhone compatible. It will also play and charge all new generation iPods as well as older models thanks to an auxillary-in jack for not-so early adopters. Also in the box is a remote with the standard features such as pause, play, track back, track forward and volume controls.

The Altec Lansing T612 will available next month for $199.95.

Even after CES we’re sure this is not the last we’ve heard of iPhone docks. We’ve seen iPod docks in a range of different places from beds, coffee tables and even toilet roll holders. So expect iPhone docks to pop up everywhere too.

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