Apple sells 1 million iPhones

Apple said Monday that it has sold its 1 millionth iPhone--a tally that's impressive to some and disappointing to others who had way too high expectations.

For context, Apple sold its 1 millionth iPhone (see Techmeme) just 74 days after the product's launch (feels like it was two years ago). Apple's iPhone sales are impressive excluding those lofty expectations predicting a million units that first weekend.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who just the other day apologized for cutting iPhone prices too quickly, said in a statement:

"One million iPhones in 74 days-it took almost two years to achieve this milestone with iPod. We can't wait to get this revolutionary product into the hands of even more customers this holiday season."

In many respects, Apple's work really begins. Part of the secret to its success is that it has a customer base that will buy the first million units of any product--most manufacturers can only dream of that loyalty. Now that this milestone is out of the way we can look forward to that 10 million iPhone mark. Certainly, there will be a lot of news to come as Apple ponders wireless spectrum, new iPod product cycles and those stalwart Mac sales.