Apple launches new iTunes with App Store

Apple has launched the latest version of its iTunes Store a day earlier than anticipated.

iTunes version 7.7, available now for Windows and Mac, includes the App Store, a method for delivering third-party iPhone applications.

The download appears to have some quirks: for this user, the version number remained at 7.6.2, and no direct link to the App Store was available, but it could still be reached by linking here.

The newest version of the iPhone is due out Friday. The App Store will be preinstalled on the new iPhone 3G, but it will also be available as a download for owners of the current iPhone.

The App Store has 27 pages of applications, including games like FreeCell and Sudoku, as well as applications for Facebook, MySpace, The New York Times, Pandora, PayPal, and Twitter.

CNET Reviews will have more on the new applications shortly.