There are big numbers, and there are BIG numbers. The amount of data downloaded from Apple’s servers during the iPhone OS 3.0 launch would fall in the latter category.

CNET reports that Apple served 1.3 petabytes, or 1.3 million gigabytes, in a period of 5 days. Of course, this is nothing in comparison to heavyweights like Hulu and Youtube that host huge HD video files, but is an impressive feat nonetheless. A load like that, though, would have made the server rooms responsible for the hosting hotter than a sauna on the equator during July. Which would serve as some explanation for the delays encountered during the launch.