iPhone App Store launching tonight at 5pm GMT

Can't wait to get your hands on the new range of downloadable iPhone games? Well you have to; at least for a few more hours.

Apple's iPhone App Store is due to go live at 5pm GMT today, in advance of the launch of the 3G iPhone tomorrow.

How do we know? We were pretty sure yesterday, following tip-offs from several developers and publishers.

But now other sources are backing that up: just check reports on TechCrunch, MocoNews and Forbes, to name but three.

Application developers (including games) have been told that the blanket embargo on talking about their apps lifts at 5pm today (that's 9am California-time).

So, if you've got the first-gen iPhone already, you'll need to do two things at 5pm: update iTunes on your computer to version 7.7, and then upgrade your iPhone to its version 2.0 software via iTunes.

We'll be on the case, and are planning a massive iPhone gaming blowout tonight on-site, with news stories, hands-ons and instant reaction. Check back here from 5pm...

Oh, and if you're a publisher or developer with game(s) coming out tonight, do get in touch through my email address, or the general [email protected].

Any info and shots we can get ahead of the embargo dropping will help us get stories up as quickly as possible this evening.