My Dream App launched today, best described as a mix between American Idol and software development. Basically, users are encouraged to send in their best ideas for apps they'd like to see made, and after 24 finalists are picked out by our staff, the three ideas that get the most votes through elimination rounds will be made into fullblown shareware apps for OS X by three experienced developers: Austin Sarner (AppZapper), Jason Harris (ShapeShifter), and Martin Ott (SubEthaEdit), with development managed by recent Apple Design Award winner John Casasanta of iClip. Not to mention, of course, a bunch of iPods and Macs we have as prizes.

The coolest part? There's 40 Mac celebrity guest judges who have joined to provide their input on the finalist ideas for each of the five elimination rounds. Among them are NYT columnist and popular author David Pogue, original Mac evangelist Guy Kawasaki, This Week in Tech host Leo Laporte, and even Apple co-found Steve Wozniak! Here's what Steve says about the event:

"It's always fun when someone innovates in the computer world. My Dream App is doing that by turning software design and development on its head. It's going to be interesting to see how this all turns out."

Hope to see you guys coming up with some great ideas, and voting for your favorites later on!