Apple is on the cusp of releasing a portal for all those Web 2.0 applications popping up for the iPhone and iTouch. The consolidated list of AJAX enabled iPhone goodies is already showing up in the RSS feed for recent downloads so the release of the Apple portal for apps must be close.

When the iPhone was first launched there was lackluster support from the developer community when it was made known to them that Apple would not release an SDK (Software Development Kit) to allow developers access to write native applications for the device. Some speculate this, along with the tie-in to a single carrier, have fueled the black market for unlocked iPhones capable of running applications. It is quite possible this market is the reason Apple has decided to begin a move toward opening

the device to developers although it has likely been in the plans all along.

Among the applications known to be under development and likely to be housed in the iPhone Applications portal are a nutrition database, a version of the Solitaire game and a little treat called “Remote Buddy” which will allow iPhone and iTouch users to utilize thier devices for remote control of any Macs they might also own.

Though the Web 2.0 applications currently available for the iPhone are cool, the real jewels will be those developed using the SDK and taking full advantage of the power of the embedded OS X. When Apple releases the portal expect it to serve as a showcase to drive still more sales of the iTouch and iPhone as well as gain business from current customers.