iPhone users have downloaded more than 60 million applications from iTunes since they went on sale with the launch of the iPhone on 11 July, Apple CEO, Steve Jobs has confirmed.
Jobs said while most of the applications are free, users paid on average US$1m a day for those which are not – yielding Apple an impressive US$30m in sales within the App Store’s first month of trading.
Jobs predicted that if this continues, Apple will crest US$360m a year in new revenue from apps.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in my career in software,” Jobs reportedly told the Wall Street Journal during an interview.
Under the agreement with third-party developers, Apple will keep 30pc of revenues from the apps that are sold online, with developers keeping the remaining 70pc of revenue.
It is understood that while Apple is unlikely to yield a significant profit from apps sales, the availability of apps will in turn drive demand for more iPhones and other iPod devices.
But developers are no doubt enjoying their bounty. Sega said it sold more than 300,000 copies of its Super Monkeyball video game through iTunes at US$9.99 a pop.
In addition, medical publisher Epocrates Inc saw more than 125,000 people – including 25,000 doctors – download its drug encyclopaedia for physicians.
The good business cycle was mired, however, last week when an application called ‘I am Rich’ – developed by Armin Heinrich and just showing a glowing red gem – was displayed on iTunes for US$999, until Apple made the decision to take it down.
By John Kennedy
Pictured: the Apple iPhone 3G
