San Francisco
Apple on Thursday threw open the virtual doors of an "App Store" brimming with independently created mini-programs promising to make iPhones even more coveted.
The online shop's opening comes a day before iPhone 3G makes its international debut in a launch expected to boost Apple's fortunes along with its share of the booming "smart phone" market.
When Apple chief executive Steve Jobs in March announced plans for an App Store stocked with programs crafted by third-party developers he expected 100 programs available by opening day.
The shop, accessible through Apple's online iTunes store, opened with five times that many mini-programs. More than 125 of the applications are free. Mini-applications include games and photo-sharing to mobile versions of Twitter, MySpace and eBay.
Software creators are allowed to set their own prices, as long as figures end with 99 cents.
Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Philip Schiller said the iPhone "represents a new software platform for developers, combining the most advanced mobile operating system, sophisticated developer tools and a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly sell and distribute their applications."
Apple stores will open early Friday to begin selling iPhone 3G models in more than 20 countries and analysts say sales could pass the billion-dollar mark within days.
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