iPhone 3G units outnumber first generation

We wrote about iPhone hiccups, delays, complaints about slowness, and botched mobileme launch, as many others have. However that maybe, after only 7 weeks after the launch, the 3G apparently outnumbers the first generation of iPhones. Writes TechCrunch

It took Apple nearly a year to sell 6 million first generation iPhones. A million 3Gs were sold in the first weekend the device was on sale—it took Apple 74 days to sell a million of the first gen iPhones […] Apple is on pace to sell more than 40 million of the devices in the next year. At what point is it no longer considered a niche device in the cell phone world?

All hail mighty Apple and the power of brands.

Continuing pressure for Apple, iPhone

More and more voices become audible about Apple’s marketing practices. People are getting upset: reports of cranky people waiting in lines for hours, then waiting for activation, waiting for the promised, but bungled MobileMe service… Apple makes people wait. And then wait some more. Who could blame people for being upset? And now even the advertising lies to you. Still, unlike most other brands, people blame themselves when it comes to Apple. How long will it last?

Check out this 3G ad / real life comparison. Via David Armano Tweet.

Finding automotive iPhone uses

Wired Magazine reports on 2 competing applications for the iPhone which bring a completely new use for mobile phones to the table. A tool for measuring car performance like speed, cornering and brake load to name a few. With car fanatics always being about customization and getting nitty gritty data, this could be a killer app.

Also, without wanting to spoil the fun, one measurement I could see being added is how much CO2 your make and model puts out to get to 60mph in 5.6 seconds?

What we will definitely see is a continuing trend (that started with the iPod) of more mobile applications and devices in cars, and manufacture’s anticipated response by building the necessary cradles for them.

More here

T-Mobile Incompetence on iPhone Firmware 1.1.3

So, this might be a bit off-topic, except for the fact that it speaks bundles about how brands should not operate. Last night, I plug in my iPhone (yes I have one, I’m officially a sucker too now) and iTunes tells me the long awaited updated Firmware 1.1.3 is ready to be installed. I go to the site for more information, all in German, so me thinks, “Wow this is legit, finally some new features!”, so I install the thing. Result: my phone has updated software, but no service. Zip. Nada. Can’t make calls. Awesome. So I call the HelpLine at T-Mobile at the answer: yeah, err…. no you have to downgrade your phone again. Apparently, Apple released the update, made some nice German Landing pages for German T-Mobile customers, but T-mobile made my phone into a brick. Well, thanks very much!!

Of course I didn’t believe that one bit. So I went back and downloaded the new iTunes version 7.6, restarted my machine. And alas, my does worketh. And you know what, I did a bit of social network teaching. I called back the service hotline and told them how to fix it.

Friggin’ T-Mobile Shnooks!