OSX 10.6.6 available – install now to get the Mac App Store

UPDATE: Apple has decided to jump the gun on the rumoured launch time and the Mac App Store is available immediately, with over 1000 apps available to download. You can read our first impressions of the new Store here.

With the Mac App Store due to launch today, Apple has just made an upgrade to OSX available that you’ll need to install first.

OSX 10.6.6 is only available to those who have the latest Snow Leopard edition of the OS, which launched in 2009. If you haven’t got that yet, we suggest you run off to the Apple Store quick march.

First announced in October, the Mac App Store will bring automatic installation and updating of applications to your desktop or laptop in a model similar to the iOS App Store. While much detail isn’t available as to exactly what will be available, we do know that developers have been busy porting iPhone apps to the platform and the an official Mac Twitter client is almost certain to debut today too.

So, get downloading that update…