If you're an independent software maker who has dreams of making it big as the next Apple developer, this is good news for you. The Apple Design Awards is already accepting entries. The Awards, well on its 12th year, recognizes technical excellence and outstanding achievement in the design and development of software for the Mac OS X.

The Apple Design Awards has seven categories, namely: Best Mac OS X Leopard Application, Best Mac OS X User Experience, Best Mac OS X Developer Tool, Best Mac OS X Game, Best Mac OS X Scientific Computing Solution, Best Mac OS X Dashboard Widget, and Best Student Application.

This may be your chance as Apple Design Awards not only recognizes the talent and excellence of developers in making software, but also their resourcefulness in thinking up newer ways to use the Apple Mac OS X. The winners of this prestigious award will be announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference.