By Claire Reilly
Apple has today announced that sales for its new iPhone 4S have surpassed 4 million since the device's release last Friday. The company also said that it has more than 25 million people using iOS5, the new operating system that can be used on previous iPhone models, as well as 20 million new customers signed up for its cloud storage service, iCloud.
“iPhone 4S is off to a great start with more than four million sold in its first weekend—the most ever for a phone and more than double the iPhone 4 launch during its first three days,” said Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, Philip Schiller.
“iPhone 4S is a hit with customers around the world, and together with iOS 5 and iCloud, is the best iPhone ever.”
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Today’s statement seems to be an act of defiance in the face of a declaration from Samsung yesterday that the company was taking court action against Apple to prevent the sale of the iPhone 4S in Australia.
Samsung sought an injunction in the Australian Federal Court, as well as in Japan, claiming that Apple infringed upon three of Samsung’s patents and was ‘freeriding’ on the Korean manufacturer’s technology.
“Samsung's preliminary injunction request in Australia cites three patent infringements related to wireless telecommunications standards, specifically Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and HSPA,” said a Samsung spokesperson.
“In light of these violations, Samsung believes the sale of such Apple devices should be injuncted.” The company was also seeking an injunction on the sale of the iPhone 4 and the iPad 2 in Japan.
Following yesterday’s announcement, Current.com.au spotted lengthy queues at Apple’s George Street store, with customers apparently rushing to purchase the iPhone 4S lest it be taken off the market.
Yesterday’s injunction request from Samsung is the latest move in a lengthy legal stoush between Samsung and Apple. Apple has previously sought injunctions against the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1, claiming the device was too similar to the iPad. Justice Bennett of the Federal Court upheld Apple’s injunction, however Samsung yesterday announced its intention to appeal the judgement.