Google announces that 2016 is the first year for Google to ever feature a Google Play Awards. In an effort to recognize and appreciate the work of developers, Google is handpicking what it would be the best apps on its store across a number of categories.
This kind of awards are historically tied to Apple. The company is known to roll out awards to those third-party app developers that it believes to have created the best apps and games over the course of 12 months. Now, it's Google's turn to debut its own award program.
Handpicked by Google, the apps are chosen by a "panel of experts on the Google Play team". The apps are rated on a number of factors, including the apps' quality and innovation. In addition to that, the apps should be either be launched or had a major update over the last 12 months in order to qualify.
The difference between Google's and Apple's awards is that, instead of focusing on the best apps and games per platform (mobile, tablet, watch, etc.), Google also consider those apps with the "most innovative." Google's awards also features apps across a wider range of categories.
According to Google's announcement, the program features 5 nominees across 10 categories, and the apps are showcased in a special collection on Google Play.
Below is a complete list of nominees and categories:
Some of the apps in Google's award nominees also made an appearance in Apple’s "Best of" 2015 list as well, including Robinhood and Hopper. Robinhood additionally became the first finance company to ever win the Apple Design Award, and was a runner-up for best iPhone app of 2015.
The announcement of Google Play Awards comes after the store reached more than 1 billion Android users across 190 countries over the the past year.
The winners will be announced live on May 19th at 7 PM PT at Google I/O.
