Apple's much heralded launch of it 3G iPhone didn't exactly go without a few glitches and it took longer than most normal human beings would tolerate to activate, but the weekend was nonetheless a major success for the Cupertino based company. The figures are in, and with over a million units sold it is hard to argue with the initial success of the product.

Apple also reports 10 million downloads for its 3G apps store ending a pretty good weekend at the office for Mr. Jobs and company. Sure, there are arguably better smartphones out there, with better services and not restricted to a single carrier, but you have got to hand it to Apple that when it come to brand marketing and promoting sexy, 'must have' devices, they are second to none.

When you consider that the original iPhone, launched in the US last June, only sold 270,000 units within a similar time frame, it's a step in the right direction. Advantage iPhone v. 2.0. It all sounds very impressive out of context, but keep in mind companies like Nokia sell more than 10 million mobile units worldwide each week, so it will take some time for Apple to catch up with the other manufacturers.

In the shadows of Apple illuminating the airwaves with the launch of 3G iPhone, Palm quietly unveiled the latest Treo smartphone, directed toward the business user, the new Treo 800w retails at just under $250 with a new service contract with wireless carrier Sprint and a $100 rebate. So in terms of price, it is still the most expensive of the lot.

Palm's Treo and RIM's BlackBerry 'Curve' both have a real keyboard, which the iPhone lacks, and offer high speed internet access and have wireless Wi-Fi capability, GPS, built in digital cameras as well email and document access.

Apple, with the 3G iPhone  have definitely joined the smartphone party, but once all the hype has died away it will be interesting to see just how much of an impact they will make in the mobile communications arena. Samsung's 'Instinct' already an obvious iClone of the iPhone is now priced competitively at $130, with a rebate, well below the iPhone and it boasts better value for money with as many, if not more functions. Still, you try telling that to the hard core Apple heads who were standing out in the cold around the world over the weekend.