Dan Mead, left, chief executive of Verizon Wireless, and Tim...

Dan Mead, left, chief executive of Verizon Wireless, and Tim Cook, chief operating officer of Apple, announced on Jan. 11, 2011 that Verizon Wireless will carry Apple's iPhone in New York City. Credit: AP

 BASKING RIDGE, N.J. (AP) — Verizon Wireless says its first day of taking online orders for the iPhone produced record sales.

The cell phone carrier says that in just two hours Thursday morning more customers had purchased the phone than in any previous phone launch.

The company isn’t giving specific figures nor did it say what the previous record was for its sales of a new phone. But it says it halted orders at 8:10 p.m. Thursday night,

The iPhone will go on sale at Verizon stores for the first time next week, breaking AT&T Inc.’s exclusive hold on Apple Inc.’s popular phone in the U.S.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

After 47 years, affordable housing ... Let's Go: Williamsburg winter village ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

After 47 years, affordable housing ... Let's Go: Williamsburg winter village ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME