Apple and Google have unveiled their picks for the best games and apps of 2023, with a notable absence of AI-powered applications in the top categories. Despite the growing popularity and advancements in AI technology, no AI app, including the widely discussed ChatGPT, managed to secure the coveted title of App of the Year.
Apple App Store award winners
Among the Apple App store award winners, AllTrails stands out, offering a community-driven platform that guides outdoor enthusiasts through comprehensive trail experiences. Prêt-à-Makeup, recognised as iPad App of the Year, serves as a true-to-life makeup sketchpad that promotes inclusivity and self-expression for both professionals and casual users.
Photomator, Apple’s Mac App of the Year, harnesses the power of machine learning to streamline advanced photo editing tasks. MUBI, the Apple TV App of the Year, curates indie films and documentaries with a human touch, enriching the viewing experience.
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In the gaming category, Honkai: Star Rail takes the spotlight while Lost in Play was named iPad Game of the Year. Lies of P was awarded the Mac Game of the Year, presents players with an exquisitely crafted dark fantasy world.
Apple Arcade’s Hello Kitty Island Adventure was crowned as the Apple Arcade Game of the Year, providing players with an immersive gaming world focused on the delightful goal of making friends.
Google Play Awards
Honkai: Star Rail continued its dominance on the Google Play Awards stage, snatching the title of Best Game. Apex Legends Mobile, the mobile version of the popular battle royale game, received the Google Play Users’ Choice Award, while Farlight 84, a fast-paced action shooter game, captured the Google Play Standout Award. Finally, Vampire Survivors, a roguelike shooter game, clinched the Google Play Indie Game of the Year award.
Bumble For Friends: Meet IRL bags the best app for 2023 under Best for Fun app. An honorable mention goes to Reelsy Reel Maker Video Editor, providing users with powerful tools to unleash their creativity. Recognising the importance of mental well-being, Voidpet Garden triumphs in the ‘Best for Personal Growth’ category. Imprint: Learn Visually receives an honorable mention for its commitment to visual learning.
Paw Patrol Academy takes center stage as the ‘Best for Families,’ ensuring engaging and educational experiences for all. LEGO DUPLO DISNEY earns an honourable mention for its family-friendly content. AWorld stands out as the ‘Best App for Good,’ aligning its mission with the global initiative ActNow. WhatsApp Messenger is crowned the ‘Best for Watches.’ Concepts emerges as the ‘Best for Tablets,’ providing a versatile platform for sketching, note-taking, and drawing. Canva and Everand receive honourable mentions for their contributions to design and literature. In the ‘Best for Chromebooks’ category, FlipaClip takes the lead for its animation creation capabilities. Evernote and Wideo earn honourable mentions for their organisational and creative tools.
Despite the impressive strides made in AI technology, AI apps were noticeably absent from the top categories in both Apple and Google’s app store awards. ChatGPT, a large language model chatbot that has garnered significant attention, failed to make a dent in the awards. However, it was chosen as user’s choice app by Google.
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