iPhone App Store goes live

The world’s first iPhone 3G will go on sale in New Zealand in a matter of hours, and to be ready Apple has already launched the much anticipated App Store.

The App Store, where iPhone users can download and install new applications – carefully vetted by Apple of course – went live on Thursday.

It’s not actually of any use to anyone just yet, given that iPhone owners will need to be running version 2.0 of the handset’s firmware to be able to install apps, and that’s not available until July 11. But you can get a taste of what’s to come by firing up the iTunes Store and browsing the newly added App Store section.

This should bring up a number of the goodies iPhone users will be able to get their hands on. And it’s not just for iPhone 3G owners either – version 2.0 of the software will be available as a free update for original iPhone owners from Friday.

There’s already a number of free apps such as Facebook and Twitterriffic, as well as plenty of paid for stuff like Super Monkey Ball and Texas Hold’em on display.

One of the most talked about apps at the moment is the free Remote tool, which allows users to control their iTunes or Apple TV from their iPhone.

Unfortunately, the Hawaiians are going to have to wait longest of all to get their hands on the gadget.