Layar, Opera Mini top GetJar app awards

Applications like Opera Mini, Layar and Lookout topped GetJar’s first annual Gettie Awards. Team IntoMobile was there last night and it was quite an interesting experience.

I’ll get to the winners first, as GetJar was seeking the best Java, Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, iPhone and Android apps. The winners received some monetary reward (I don’t think it was straight fat stacks of cash but some sort of developer compensation) and the acclaim of the mobile world.

The Java app winner was WaveSecure Backup, Nimbuzz nabbed the Symbian award and Opera Mini grabbed the top spot for Windows Mobile.

Tap Tap Revenge 3 was named the best app for the Apple iPhone, Lookout nabbed the best Android app and Layar was named the top overall mobile program.

“It was an honor for GetJar to host this celebration for the mobile developers that shape and drive our industry,” Patrick Mork, CMO of GeJar, in a prepared statement. “We could only select one winner per platform, but in reality, the room was filled with winners based on the sheer creativity and innovation across all the major development platforms.”

The award ceremony was an good experience that I think should only get better with time. It was undeniably hokey – check out a picture of “Lady GetJar” – but it’s nice to see developers get some recognition and rewards. As GetJar grows, this should gain more prominence in the industry and then people like WaveSecure Backup won’t leave the judge standing alone at the podium looking forlorn.

The GetJar ceremony shows the growing importance of mobile apps in the mainstream. In fact, one of the GetJar winners was just acquired by Disney. It doesn’t get much more mainstream than Disney, folks.

As the mobile app space continues to grow, I’ll look forward to more events like the GetJar awards.