Apple has announced its annual App Store Awards that honors the best apps and games of the year for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. While last year's list was heavily influenced by how the winners helped combat the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, this year's winners show how the world is inching back towards normalcy even as Covid continues to remain a serious problem. The winning apps come from a variety of backgrounds and offer experiences that Apple believes enrich the lives of users in one way or another.
Apple's announcement comes a few days after Google announced its own 'Best of 2021' honors list, awarding the best apps and games on the Play Store this year. While meditation and self-help app Balance was the top pick as the best app on the Play Store for 2021, Pokémon UNITE was the winner for the best game on Android this year. Unlike Apple, Google also gives out a users' choice award that's voted for by Android users, and the winners in that category were Paramount+ for the best app and Garena Free Fire MAX for the best game.
Coming to Apple's honors list, 15 apps have been awarded across three segments: App of the Year, Game of the Year, and Trend of the Year. All the apps awarded this year provided users with what the company says is "exceptional quality, innovative technology, creative design, and positive cultural impact." Starting with the first segment, the iPhone app of the year is Toca Life World by developer Toca Boca, while the best iPad app is LumaFusion by LumaTouch. The Mac app of 2021 is Craft by Luki Labs Limited, while Dazn was selected as the Apple TV App of the year. Finally, the Carrot Weather app by Grailr was voted the Apple Watch app of the year.
Bumble And Among Us Also Won
Apple also selected the best games on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Arcade. While League of Legends: Wild Rift from Riot Games earned the iPhone Game of the Year award, Marvel Future Revolution from Netmarble Corporation received the title of iPad Game of the Year. Myst from Cyan was selected as the best game on Mac, while Space Marshals 3 from Pixelbite was chosen as the Apple TV game of the year. Finally, the Apple Arcade game of the year is Fantasian from Mistwalker.
The final five apps were honored under Trend of the Year, which is 'Connections,' according to the App Store editorial team. The winners are the wildly popular game Among Us, dating app Bumble, photo editing app Canva, a restaurant guide called EatOkra, and a connection app for women called Peanut. Apple says that the apps and games awarded in this segment have left a lasting impact on people's lives as part of a concerted movement to bring about positive change.
Source: Apple