By Patrick Avenell

Despite the initial pessimism brought about by the death of Steve Jobs and the release of the iPhone 4S instead of an iPhone 5, Apple has reported significant revenue and profit increases for the first quarter of its fiscal 2012.

For the 14 weeks to 31 December 2011, Apple’s revenue was $46.33 billion (up 73 per cent quarter on quarter) and its net profit was a quarterly record $13.06 billion (up 131 per cent).

Driving this growth was the sale of just over 37 million iPhones, 15.4 million iPads and 5.2 million Mac computers. All three core business divisions grew in unit sales compared to the previous corresponding quarter: 128 per cent for iPhones, 111 per cent for iPads and 26 per cent for Macs. Taking a hit, however, were iPod sales, which declined 21 per cent to 15.4 million units during the quarter.

That iPod sales and iPad sales are now virtually even shows how well Apple and its retail partners have done to upsell its consumers from the limited, music focused iPod to the more app and multimedia based iPad.

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This result is also a boost for new CEO Tim Cook, who was criticised at the time of the iPhone 4S launch for lacking the stage presence and general aura of late Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

“We’re thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs,” said Cook in a statement. “Apple’s momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline.”

In the Asia Pacific region, Apple’s revenue was just under $7.7 billion, an 18 per cent increase on the previous quarter and a 54 per cent increase on the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Apple is currently planning two new Australian retail stores, with Sydney and Brisbane earmarked for new openings. Further details on the exact locations are not currently available.