Apple announced financial results last night for the 13-week period until 29th December 2012, the first quarter of its 2013 financial year. Quarterly revenue reached a company record of $54.5 billion while net profit was $13.1 billion.

That’s an 18% year-on-year increase in revenue, although the profit figure was almost unchanged.

Apple has published financial results for the fourth quarter of its financial year, with quarterly revenue up 27% year-on-year to $36.0 billion (£22.4 billion) and quarterly net profit up 24% to $8.2 billion.

Sales of iPhones were up 58% on the same period in 2011 to 26.9 million handsets, while iPad sales of 14 million were up 26%.

Apple has used its Worldwide Developers Conference as an opportunity to preview the forthcoming version of its iPhone and iPad operating system.

iOS 6, which is now available as a beta version for iOS Developer Program members, will be launched officially this autumn. It contains more than 200 new features from iOS5, including a new Apple-designed map application, enhanced Siri voice recognition options and greater Facebook integration. In addition, a new built-in app called Passbook is designed to store electronic passes and tickets.