Apple shifts 1 million new iPhones in first weekend

Californian vendor Apple said Monday that it has sold over one million iPhone 3GS units in the first three days of launch.

Apple launched the latest addition to its iPhone portfolio on June 19. The “S”, Apple said, stands for “speed,” with the device boasting enhanced memory and processor power to give a faster performance in applications and on the web.

In terms of hardware enhancements, the 3GS also features longer battery life, a 3 megapixel autofocus camera, which happily allows video recording, hands free voice control and a digital compass that complements the onboard GPS to reorient maps to the direction you are facing.

The company also said six million users have downloaded the latest version of the iPhone software 3.0 since its release on June 17. Version 3.0 adds over 100 new features to the older devices including: Cut, Copy and Paste; MMS; improved search; landscape keyboard; parental controls; Voice Memos; a Find My iPhone feature that works together with MobileMe; Remote Wipe; wireless downloading of movies, TV and audio programs; and peer to peer functionality.

It is also believed that Apple CEO Steve Jobs is back at the helm following six months medical leave.

Jobs made an appearance in the statement about iPhone 3GS sales, and is also reported to be back at his desk this week. The Apple frontman took a six month leave of absence citing health related issues in January.

Apple is unusual in the tech world in that the company is more closely tied to the health of its CEO that at any other firm. Speculation over Jobs’ health thoughout the past year has seen Apple’s share price take a battering on more than one occasion. In his absence, chief operating officer Tim Cook, has led the firm.