Since 1996, Apple has been awarding Apple Design Awards (ADA) for the best applications of the year.For the last few years, awards have been given out to the best iPhone/iPad apps, as well as the bestOX X apps.

In 2010, Apple limited the award to iPhone/iPad apps only, but in 2011, apps distributed viaApple's Mac App Store were eligible as well. The same limitation applies for the current year. The ADAwill be awarded at the upcoming WWDC, and nominations are now open.

Link to: https://developer.apple.com/wwdc/awards/

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In 2011, Apple awarded its ADAs for games such as Cut the Rope, Infinity Blade, and Osmos, games thathave been also been featured prominently in Apple's marketing. Apps like Grades 2 and Capo were alsochosen for their innovative concepts. 2012 should be no different, as better Apple hardware and anadditional year of iOS development should usher in even more examples of exquisite app development.

According to the ADA website, "the 2012 Apple Design Awards recognize state of the art iOS and OSX apps that reflect the very best in design, innovation, and technology adoption." This year, Apple hasannounced that they will be scoring nominations on 3 criteria: well-designed, state-of-the-art, andinnovative. These are adjectives that often used to describe Apple's products, so it is possible Appleis trying to highlight the transcendent: the harmony that can be achieved when impeccable hardwaremeets brilliant software.

WWDC 2012 is scheduled to be held on June 11, so aspiring awardees should make sure nominationsare sent in soon.