By Blake Steven and Josh Ong

Published: 07:45 PM EST (04:45 PM PST)

The first Lion-capable apps have begun to appear throughout the Mac App Store in preparation for the forthcoming release of the eighth incarnation of Mac OS X.

Apple sent out emails to developers earlier this week inviting them to submit for release into the Mac App Store applications built to showcase new features in the company's latest operating system update.

As noted by OS X Daily, Apple has already approved several Lion-ready apps such as WordCrasher. According to the app's description, "Wordcrasher" now takes advantage of new application features built into Mac OS X Lion, such as full-screen and resume.

The Cupertino, Calif., based company has also updated its own applications including the iLife '11 suite and Aperture to take full advantage of Lion, building in full screen support on both.

Earlier this week, one developer claimed via Twitter that Apple rejected his Mac App Store app for referencing Lion, though it appears his application for review was submitted before Apple issued its call for Lion apps on Monday.

Apple announced last month that the $29.99 software upgrade would arrive in July exclusively on the Mac App Store and boasting more than 250 new features. AppleInsider subsequently reported that the company was holding off on releasing new hardware until Lion was ready.

The Mac maker issued the Golden Master build of Mac OS X Lion on July 1. Though evidence originally pointed to a launch sometime this week, sources recently suggested that last minute security issues related to the new app resume feature may have caused a minor delay.

Following the release of Mac OS X Lion, Apple is expected to launch a refresh of its ultra-thin MacBook Air notebooks. The portables are expected to include backlit keyboards, Sandy Bridge processors, high-speed Thunderboltand an increase in RAM and SSD storage.

For more information on new features in Mac OS X Lion, see AppleInsider's in-depth series: Inside Mac OS X 10.7 Lion