As 2019 draws to a close, Apple has revealed its picks for the year’s best apps and games. All available through the App Store, of course.
“We are excited to announce such a diverse group of 2019 App Store winners, showing that great design and creativity comes from developers large and small, and from every corner of the world,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s SVP of Worldwide Marketing. “We congratulate all the winners and thank them for making 2019 the best year yet for the App Store.”
Check out Apple’s picks below.
Best Apps of the Year:
iPhone App of the Year: Spectre Camera
“This AI-powered app leverages a dizzying amount of tech to let anyone take stunning long-exposure photos.”
iPad App of the Year: Flow
“Draw and sketch in this elegant digital notebook app, whose graphite pencils, chisel-tipped markers and more have been meticulously tuned to mimic the real thing.”
Mac App of the Year: Affinity Publisher
“With its elegant user experience and remarkably reasonable price point, Affinity Publisher makes pro-level design accessible to everyone, whether you’re creating a photo-rich coffee table book or a flyer for your second grader’s play.”
Apple TV App of the Year: The Explorers
“This groundbreaking app was designed to support the community of explorers, scientists and artists working toward a common goal: To create a comprehensive ‘visual inventory’ of the natural world through photo and video.”
App Trend of 2019: Storytelling Simplified
“In 2019, a groundswell of apps helped us fill the proverbial blank page with our memories, dreams, images, and voices. And did so with more power and personality than ever. With apps like Anchor, Unfold, Steller, Over, and Wattpad, anyone can express themselves through moving podcasts, one-of-a-kind novels, and true-to-life photo collages in an easier way than ever before.”
Best Games of 2019
iPhone Game of the Year: Sky: Children of the Light
“Fly across sweeping landscapes to help celestial beings find their way back to the heavens in this groundbreaking social quest.”
iPad Game of the Year: Hyper Light Drifter
“A dazzling, action-packed reimagining of classic 16-bit adventure games, “Hyper Light Drifter” blends dreamlike exploration with fight-for-your-life survival.”
Mac Game of the Year: GRIS
“This spectacularly satisfying puzzle-platformer is a soul-stirring work of digital art — one that explores hope, grief and the triumph of piecing a life back together after tragic loss.”
Apple TV Game of the Year: Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
“Developed by Lizardcube with the cooperation of series creator Ryuichi Nishizawa, Wonder Boy — the beloved game from the ’80s, in which a lone half-lizard adventurer sets off on the challenge of a lifetime — gets a reboot with hand-drawn animation and a re-orchestrated soundtrack.”
Game Trend of 2019: Blockbusters Reimagined
“This year, game developers worldwide burst onto iOS with a wave of world-renowned brands, all featuring leading-edge technology, bold design and innovative features that delivered a level of depth and quality never thought possible on mobile. Hits like Mario Kart Tour, Minecraft Earth, Pokémon Masters, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion, Gears POP!, The Elder Scrolls: Blades, and Call of Duty: Mobile aren’t mere remakes or tributes. They are original releases that breathed new life into the most beloved franchises in gaming history.”
What do you think of Apple’s picks?
Do you think Apple made the right picks when it comes to the best iOS and Mac apps of 2019? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
