Browsing the web, getting directions, connecting with friends, and even copying and faxing can now be accomplished on a basic mobile phone. This year's winners highlight the growing trend of mobile phone applications becoming an integral part of consumers' daily lives.
The five winners of the 2008 GetJar Mobile Awards are: Product of the Year, Google Maps for Mobile. Google Maps for mobile is a free, downloadable application that puts maps, driving directions, business listings, and much more in your pocket. And with the My Location feature, find your location with or without GPS. Available for BlackBerry, Java (J2ME), Pocket PC, Symbian.
Best Consumer App: Opera Mini. Opera Mini is a fast Web browser that allows you to access the full Internet on your phone. It lets you take all your favourite Web sites with you, and download images and MP3s when you're on the go. Available for BlackBerry, Java (J2ME), Palm, Pocket PC and nearly every other mobile platform.
Best Enterprise App: scanR. scanR turns your camera phone into a scanner, copier and fax. In the office, on the road, or at home, wherever you are, you can make digital copies using your mobile phone's camera. Available for: BlackBerry, Java (J2ME), Palm, Symbian.
Best Mobile Web Application: Twitter. This category recognises a special class of application, one that runs on the web and is accessable from the phone. Twitter, the free social messaging utility, is now also on your mobile, so you can follow your friends' tweets and tweet back at them. Available for BlackBerry, Java (J2ME), Pocket PC, Symbian.
Up and Coming App of the Year: Strands Social Player. Strands Social Player is a music player that works with MyStrands so you can discover new music, connect with people, and share your tastes with friends. The latest version supports scrobbling to Last.fm. Available for Java (J2ME) and Symbian.
Ilja Laurs, CEO at GetJar, commented: "2008 was certainly the year when 'mobile app' became an everyday term. This year, we've seen a proliferation of new and innovative applications for mobile phones, and the GetJar Mobile Awards aim to reflect the amazing diversity of content that exists in the GetJar community. We congratulate the developers behind these excellent applications, which prove that it's possible to add stunning functionality to even the most simple handsets."
Ryan Pollock, product marketing manager at Google Mobile, added: "We have a valuable relationship with GetJar, and we are pleased that Google Maps for mobile has been recognized as Product of the Year. The GetJar site, one of the pre-eminent websites for mobile applications, has introduced Google Maps for mobile to cell phone owners around the world.”