Both Apple and Google have revealed their selections for the top apps and games of the year. Apple named AllTrails, a hiking and biking companion, as the iPhone App of the Year for 2023, while Google Play awarded Imprint: Learn Visually as its best app. Notably, both platforms agreed on Honkai: Star Rail as the Game of the Year.
These year-end lists not only generate interest in new apps and games but also provide insights into the app marketplaces’ trends and what captured consumers’ attention throughout the year.
In a departure from previous years, Apple chose not to focus on newly released or technologically innovative apps. Instead, its iPhone App of the Year finalists included well-established and well-designed mobile companions like Duolingo and Flighty, alongside the winner AllTrails.
Despite the tremendous success of AI apps like ChatGPT, neither Apple nor Google selected an AI app as their app of the year. This decision stands out, especially considering ChatGPT’s rapid rise to 100 million users earlier in the year.
Apple’s other App Store winners encompassed various categories, including iPad App of the Year, Mac App of the Year, and Apple Arcade Game of the Year, showcasing a diverse range of applications and games.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, emphasized the inspiring work of developers in creating apps and games that redefine the world, showcasing ingenuity, quality, and purpose-driven missions.
While Apple acknowledged the impact of AI on culture by naming generative AI the “Trend of the Year,” it did not include AI apps among its Cultural Impact winners.
Google took a unique approach to its “best of” apps, highlighting “multi-device” apps that align with its efforts to facilitate the discovery of non-smartphone apps on the Play Store. Spotify was named the best multi-device app, and OUTERPLANE – Strategy Anime won as the best multi-device game.
ChatGPT secured the User’s Choice App of the Year title in Google’s awards, indicating its popularity among users. Google also recognized other standout apps in various categories, showcasing a diverse array of applications.
Unlike Apple, Google did not hesitate to include Meta’s WhatsApp in its winners’ list, demonstrating a more inclusive approach. Additionally, Google created an AI category, and Character AI, an app developed by former Google researchers, emerged as the winner.
Both companies provided honorable mentions for apps that didn’t win in their respective categories, acknowledging the broader landscape of innovative and impactful applications. The selections reflect the evolving trends and preferences in the dynamic world of mobile apps and games.
