This inaugural competition is the first iPhone OS Application achievement awards to recognize the best iPhone apps and games released in the iTunes App Store in 2008. The goal is to help publicize the very best apps available, not just the best-selling apps.

Nominations are still tight with it being a pretty open race in all of the categories as it stands right now. Especially so with the Best App Ever race — less than 75 nominations separate the #1 from the #10 nominee.

Here’s how some of the nominations break down as of 12/22 12:00pm Pacific:

Total nominations: 5,079
Total apps nominated: 725

Category with most nominations: Most Useful App
Category with least nominations: Free Or Ad Supported Game

Category with most apps nominated: Most Innovative App
Category with the least apps nominated: Best Racing Game

Tightest category (least # of nominations separate #1-#10): Best 99 Cent Game
Widest category (most # of nominations separate #1-#10): Best Casual Game

We’ll post here again to let you know the final nominees and when voting is open on 12/31.