BOULDER, Colo. – Apple Inc. has given its approval for two “porn star apps” to be sold in the iTunes App Store, according to the adult company behind the applications.Grindhouse Mobile Inc. — which provides technical services for adult mobile application development on platforms including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Symbian OS, Palm and Windows Mobile — developed the apps for Sunny Leone and former Penthouse Pet Aria Giovanni. Grindhouse said it believes the programs are the first adult-themed products to receive Apple’s approval.

They may be the first heterosexual content-based apps to hit the App Store, but gay adult studio Athletic Model Guild has two softcore gay apps there already: “AMG Brasil Boys” received Apple’s nod in mid-June, and “AMG Beefcake” debuted in mid-July. In addition, MyPleasure.com’s “MyVibe” app, which turns the iPhone into a limited personal massager, appeared in the App Store in June.

In any case, Leone said she was thrilled to be among the first adult stars to make the grade with Apple, which is notoriously anti-porn. The free “lite version” of Leone’s program offers exclusive images, a blog and video clips. Version 2.0, a premium product with interactive features, games, blogs, more images and videos, plus contact info for Leone, is awaiting Apple’s approval.

“I’m so excited about the future of my iPhone app,” Leone said. “This provides an entire[ly] new way for me to communicate with my fans and give them a new and unique content experience.”

Giovanni, one of the world’s most recognized nude centerfold models, likewise is pleased to be among an elite group. Her free iPhone app is the second developed by Grindhouse. Again, premium Version 2.0 is pending approval by Apple, but Grindhouse said users soon should be able to download the upgraded program and enjoy more content “and a few surprises.”

“I’m thrilled with my new app and can’t wait for Version 2.0 to hit the App Store,” Giovanni said. “It’s going to blow my fans away. Thank you, Apple, for approving my app and giving my fans another way to follow my life and modeling career.”

In a press release distributed Wednesday, Grindhouse admitted the process for approval was long and somewhat tedious. The company had to follow strict guidelines imposed by Apple, and even then the first version of Leone’s app was declined because the content was deemed too explicit.

“It was just a little too ‘hot’ for Apple’s compliance department,” a Grindhouse spokesman said. “We worked closely with Apple to meet all of their guidelines while developing an offering that is compelling and user-friendly.”

Now that it has two approved apps under its proverbial belt, Grindhouse said it intends to continue the trend. The next planned iPhone app will feature the girls of Erotica.com, a spokesman said.