iPhone App Store goes live

More than 500 apps—many of them free—are available, although we're still waiting on the necessary firmware for installing the apps on an iPhone or iPod Touch. Check out some of the highlights.

You'll need the latest version of iTunes (v. 7.7) to access the new App Store—and even then, you won't find any links on the main iTunes interface to the new storefront (or at least, not as of early Thursday). Luckily, Macrumors sniffed out a link that'll take you to the appropriate page.

While you can browse for and even download applications, you won't be able to install them until Apple releases firmware update 2.0 for the iPhone and iPod Touch—that said, the patch (free for iPhone users, $9.95 for the Touch) should be available either later today or tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Update: Macrumors found the link to firmware 2.0 for iPhone (not iPod Touch) on Apple's servers; click here for the link and follow the instructions, but use at your own risk. I downloaded the patch and installed it onto my iPhone without a hitch, but the download is still unofficial. Anyone who's squeamish about tinkering with their iPhone should wait until the update becomes available through iTunes. 

I've been doing a little browsing at the App Store myself this morning, and I've come up with a quick list of apps that look cool; some are nifty but useless, while others look like they might fill some gaps in the iPhone's feature set. Take a look. (Also, check out my earlier post on five must-have upcoming iPhone apps.)

Remote: Once rumored, now official, this Apple-built app lets you "be a mobile DJ" by hooking into your iTunes library via Wi-Fi; controls music on iTunes or Apple TV, adjusts volume on AirTunes speakers, displays album artwork, and browses your entire iTunes collection. Free.

Ms. Pac-Man: The classic arcade game, complete with a touch-enabled four-way navigation pad. Somehow, I'm guessing a joystick would still be easier, but hey—we'll see. $9.99

Texas Hold'em: Includes slick graphics and nine-player multiplayer over Wi-Fi—cool. $4.99

E-books (various): There's a series of novels available—all of them in the public domain, I'm assuming—including 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Anna Karenina, Around the World in 80 Days, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Each book features full-text search, a table of contents, and the ability to shrink or zoom the font size. 99 cents each.

Jared: The butcher of songs is back. Free.

Todo: A simple task manager that's integrated with the iPhone's address book and boasts compatibility with various Web-based to-do sites; could be a workable alternative for those frustrated by the iPhone's lack of a native task manager. $9.99

Social networking apps (various): Facebook, MySpace, Loopt … they're all here, along with an official AIM chat client (finally), microblogging clients for Pounce and Twitter (Twitterlator, Twitterrific), and the promised TypePad app, which lets you blog and post photos on the fly. Free

Mobile Flickr: View, share, and upload snapshots to the popular photo site. $2.99

Light: You guessed it—turns your iPhone into a flashlight. Free.

Midomi: Hold your iPhone up to the radio to find out who sings that song—or, even better, just sing or hum a few bars into the iPhone's mic. Once Midomi identifies the tune, you can buy it on iTunes or watch on YouTube. Neat—and free.

Pandora Radio: Streaming music app; just type in a song name or artist and Pandora creates an instant playlist of similar music. Free, but you only get six skips an hour.

iRetroPhone: A touch-enabled rotary dialer for the iPhone. Cute, but pricey at $2.99.

I (Heart) Control: Lets you control your home theater, automated blinds, and other IP-enabled home automation duties from your iPhone. Free, but requires configuration by a home automation expert.

iMilk: Lets you, well, "drink" milk from your iPhone; tilt or shake your iPhone and the simulated milk tilts, shakes, and foams along with it, or even pour milk from one iPhone to another. $2.99

GoLearn Fitness Plus: A virtual personal trainer complete with videos, customizable workouts, and fitness logs; also bundles other GoLearn Fitness apps, such as Hiking, Running, and Cycling. $19.99