Google has put forth a list of what they feel were the top 12 Android apps of 2012. Tavares Ford, a Google Play Merchandising Manager who is responsible for merchandising and promotion of apps and games for Google Play, added the list to an App Focus page in the Google Play store.

These are some of the best apps available in Google Play. Some launched in 2012 while others issued updates that achieved a great combination of utility, beauty and accessibility. Almost all of them are available globally and offer a great user experience on both tablets and phones. From excellent tools to objects of beauty, each of these applications represents the best of Google Play.

The best in mobile shopping with a great selection, free shipping and returns as well as an elegant new UI for phones and tablets.

The best in mobile shopping with a great selection, free shipping and returns as well as an elegant new UI for phones and tablets.

Stay on top of every element of your life, from anywhere. Take notes, capture photos and record memos with this amazing organizer.

Stay on top of every element of your life, from anywhere. Take notes, capture photos and record memos with this amazing organizer.

Take full advantage of your android device and set pins from anywhere using the built-in sharing system. Share and enjoy!

Take full advantage of your android device and set pins from anywhere using the built-in sharing system. Share and enjoy!

A deceptively simple and well-executed storybook that serves as a perfect introduction to the world of Grimm’s fairy tales.

A deceptively simple and well-executed storybook that serves as a perfect introduction to the world of Grimm’s fairy tales.

A full-featured offline reader that is constantly adding new capabilities like site subscriptions that let you save articles on paid sites.

A full-featured offline reader that is constantly adding new capabilities like site subscriptions that let you save articles on paid sites.

A beautiful and well-designed app that sets the bar for globally relevant travel tools with a rich and detailed tablet experience.

A beautiful and well-designed app that sets the bar for globally relevant travel tools with a rich and detailed tablet experience.

A unique and full-featured genealogy app that delivered a stunning design overhaul which also delivered new functionality.

A unique and full-featured genealogy app that delivered a stunning design overhaul which also delivered new functionality.

Fancy lets you share your personal style with style and brings a fresh perspective to the worlds of online shopping and fashion.

Fancy lets you share your personal style with style and brings a fresh perspective to the worlds of online shopping and fashion.

One of the most robust, feature-rich and intuitively designed tools available to help you master your personal finances.

One of the most robust, feature-rich and intuitively designed tools available to help you master your personal finances.

Enjoy a great second-screen experience for TV that features an attractive, practical and well-planned design aesthetic.

Enjoy a great second-screen experience for TV that features an attractive, practical and well-planned design aesthetic.

A relatively new photography app that provides an amazing array of editing and photo-correction tools for both phones and tablets.

A relatively new photography app that provides an amazing array of editing and photo-correction tools for both phones and tablets.