The awards, brought to you by , feature 34 categories ranging from the eponymous “Best App Ever” all the way down to “Best Free or Ad Supported Game.” Each category features ten applications, five picked by users’ votes and five selected by the awards’ nomination committee, itself composed of a baker’s dozen of bloggers, developers, and “general web-celebrities.” The ten applications competing for Best App Ever are based on the applications that got the most nominations overall. The winners in each category will be announced January 7th at Macworld Expo.

As admirable as it is to attempt to recognize great applications in all the various categories featured on the App Store, I feel like 34 different categories may perhaps be overkill. I mean, I know there are a lot of different games in the store, but 15 separate game categories? I just can't decide what to vote for “Best Game Made Outside of the U.S. Featuring Cute Animated Characters That Could Perhaps Be Described as Action/Adventure.”

Anyway, should you be inclined to give your input on the best applications ever of 2008, then head on over and cast your votes in any or all of the 34 categories. Now, if only they'd let me vote on the Oscars.