SAN FRANCISCO - MUSIC and games are the most sought-after programs of 2008 for hot-selling iPhone and iPod Touch devices, Apple said on Wednesday.

A freshly added 'Top Apps' section at Apple's online iTunes shop lists the 10 most popular free and paid applications at the California firm's 'App Store' since its July launch.

Google Earth mapping software and a mobile version of social-networking website Facebook joined Liveradio and games Tap Tap Revenge, Labyrinth Lite, Lightsaber Unleashed and iPint in a Top 10 free applications category.

The iPint game, restricted to people of age to legally imbibe alcohol, lets iPhone users simulate drinking a tall glass of ale using the innovative device's motion-sensing feature.

Lightsaber imbues swinging iPhones with sound effects simulating the famed Jedi warrior weapons.

Tap Tap Revenge, the most popular iPhone game of the year, challenges users to stay in rhythm with hip songs by tapping a device's touch-sensing screen in time with music.

'Tap Tap is sitting at the intersection of music and games, and music and games are everywhere,' said Mr Bart DeCrem, chief executive of startup Tapulous, which created the application.

'IPhones really trace their roots to the iPod and people think of music when they think of iPods.'

Popular paid applications include videogames PocketGuitar, Cerebral Challenge, and Texas Hold'em poker along with allRadio software for streaming online radio broadcasts.

The best-of paid category includes pocketDEMO software that turns iPhones into precise distance measuring tools and an Essence program for finding bargains at nearby petrol stations. -- AFP