14 DAY TRIAL // The folks at 1 Infinite Loop should be patting each other on the back after seeing their products take home four separate iF product design awards from the prestigious iF International Forum Design, Macworld reports. That's right, Apple netted four awards, one for the iPhone 3G, one for the second-generation iPod touch, one for the iPod nano 4G and one for the world's thinnest notebook, the MacBook Air.
According to the aforementioned source, the iF has started handing out awards since 1954. The iF International Forum Design is among the most prestigious commendations in the design community, says the report. A few hundred products are recognized out of the thousands submitted, with even fewer receiving the coveted iF gold award – 50, this year. Out of those 50, Apple nabbed four in the categories of Telecommunications, Audio/Video, and Computers, thanks to the features of its 3G iPhone, 2nd gen touch, fourth gen nano and the MacBook Air. The site also points out that Apple, as a company, ranked second in both iF’s creative and company categories. Samsung tops that list.
Thanks to World of Apple, we also have the jury's impressions on the awarded Apple products.
iPod touch
“Apple always manages to proclaim the digital revolution. With each new product the manufacturer not only manages to continue the series in an exemplary fashion, but also to introduce new technologies elegantly, gently and playfully to the user. The ‘iPod touch’ represents a further example of a special category of ‘must have’ product.”
iPod nano
“If you compare this iPod with its predecessors, you will notice the consistent continuation of the product line into the fourth generation. The design is so esthetic, so user-friendly, so eye-catching: Anyone who has never owned an MP3 player will think twice after seeing the iPod nano. And being able to activate the shuffle function by shaking the device is as charming as it is ingenious.”
MacBook Air
“Apple is and remains the leader in its sector. This company continues to succeed in showing us how simple, intuitively usable and attractive a computer can be!”
iPhone 3G
“Twice the speed in 3G networks, a refinement and minimalist incorporation of the previous features — what can you say about the epitome of mobile communication and the icon of the 21st century except: ‘Superb’!”
Visit the iF International Forum Design here for more information on the iF product design awards for 2009.