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'iTunes Rewind' Highlights the Best of 2011; Instagram, Tiny Tower Win Best of Year Awards

Thursday December 8, 2011 9:54 am PST by Jordan Golson

Apple has released the 2011 edition of its annual iTunes Rewind feature in the iTunes Store. The piece offers a look at what the company has judged to be the best music, movies, TV shows, apps, books, and podcasts of 2011.

Some of the notable winners:

Apps:
- iPhone App of the Year: Instagram
- iPhone Game of the Year: Tiny Tower
- iPad App of the Year: Snapseed
- iPad Game of the Year: Dead Space for iPad

Music:
- Song of the Year: Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
- Artist of the Year: Adele
- Album of the Year: Wasting Light by Foo Fighters

Books:
- Best Novel: The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obeht
- Best Nonfiction: Boomerang by Michael Lewis

It's important to note that these awards are all for the United States iTunes Store. In some cases, Apple gave awards to different items in different countries. For example, Djay was awarded iPad App of the Year honors in the UK, while Tiny Wings won iPhone Game of the Year in the UK and Australia.

Instagram isn't the first photography app to win App of the Year award. In 2010, Hipstamatic took home App of the Year honors. Plants vs. Zombies won the Game of the Year award that year.

MacRumors covered iTunes Rewind in 2010 and 2009, as well.

[ 49 comments ]

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Mr. Gates
103 months ago
What the Heck !?!??




What's with the PEDO BEAR on the left photo ???

LOL
Rating: 9 Votes
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Xian Zhu Xuande
103 months ago

I guess this means I should check out these apps then?

Keep away from Tiny Tower. Cute, but a soul sucker.
Rating: 8 Votes
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gorbok
103 months ago

...there are covers of this song that are so much better


Comments like this make me sad.
Rating: 7 Votes
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cvaldes
103 months ago

I can see a list of "best apps"... but Music? Seriously? Never heard of any of those on the list except for Foo Fighters (and that's only because I am familiar with the band name.)

Are you over thirty?

Both Adele and Foster the People are 2012 Grammy nominees. Their works have been near the top of the Billboard charts. Adele actually won the Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance awards in 2009.

P.S., I am over forty.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Bensalama21
103 months ago

I can see a list of "best apps"... but Music? Seriously? Never heard of any of those on the list except for Foo Fighters (and that's only because I am familiar with the band name.)


If you just turned on your radio for 2 seconds, I guarantee it would be playing either Pumped Up Kicks or Adele.
Rating: 5 Votes
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StuddedLeather
103 months ago

I can see a list of "best apps"... but Music? Seriously? Never heard of any of those on the list except for Foo Fighters (and that's only because I am familiar with the band name.)


Seriously? You've never heard of Adele, at least 'Rolling In The Deep'? Especially when Apple used her song for the "Watch The iPhone 4S video." It's a great song, but I digressed.

Instagram really deserves Best App (which it did receive). I'm seriously addicted to it and picture taking with the 4S are incredible to say the least.

As far as gaming apps goes, I'm addicted (currently) to Temple Run. I need suggestions for more games though! Good quality games.
Rating: 5 Votes
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morespce54
103 months ago

I have never heard of Instagram or Tiny Tower before. How are the best apps of the year...free? I figured Angry Birds was going to take home the gold with it being....EVERYWHERE!


I would agree if... we were still in 2009! ;)
Rating: 4 Votes
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disinfectant
103 months ago

I don't understand how a camera app could take app of the year. There are some awesome apps out there like 2do, BizXpenseTracker, Evernote & DropBox that are absolute necessities. I mean, a camera app?


A) Some of those apps you listed were not released this year.
B) Not everyone is in need of some of those apps, but almost everyone is taking pictures with their phone. As it's the most used camera these days.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Tonewheel
103 months ago

are you over thirty?

Both adele and foster the people are 2012 grammy nominees. Their works have been near the top of the billboard charts. Adele actually won the best new artist and best female pop vocal performance awards in 2009.

P.s., i am over forty.


56
Rating: 3 Votes
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hayesk
103 months ago

I can see a list of "best apps"... but Music? Seriously? Never heard of any of those on the list except for Foo Fighters (and that's only because I am familiar with the band name.)


Adele is one of the best vocalists to come along in several years. Get out more.
Rating: 3 Votes

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