As it does every year, Apple on Tuesday released a list of the year’s “best” digital content up for offer on its various digital storefronts, from the iOS App Store to Apple Books.
Apple’s Best of 2018.
Apple announced the “Best of 2018” awards in a press release posted to its website. Like recent years, the list is heavy on apps and games, but also includes highlights from Apple Music, the iTunes Movie Store, Podcasts and Apple Books.
Starting with its bread-and-butter App Store offerings, Apple crowned Procreate Pocket as 2018’s iPhone App of the Year, with Froggipedia and Pixelmator Pro taking top honors for iPad and Mac, respectively. Workout app Sweat took the No. 1 spot on Apple TV.
Physics-based puzzler Donut County was named iPhone Game of the Year, while point-and-click puzzle title Gorogoa won the same honor for iPad. Story-driven adventure-puzzle title The Gardens Between was named Mac Game of the Year and Alto’s Odyssey took home the award for Apple TV.
Battle royale-style games like Fortnite and PUBG Mobile were cited as Game Trend of the Year, though no title in the category made the cut for best game. So-called self-care apps — health and fitness apps like Calm and 10% Happier: Meditation — featured as 2018’s app Trend of the Year.
Apple also shared a link to this year’s Top App Charts, expectedly populated with stalwart apps like YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Beyond breakout franchise Fortnite, the Top Games Charts was less predictable, led by the likes of HQ Trivia and Helix Jump, among others.
A smattering of watchOS apps are featured in a “favorites” section that feels more like a consolation than an distinct category.
Frequent Apple collaborator Drake was named Artist of the Year, while Juice WRLD rated Breakout Artist of the Year honors. Song of the Year went to “I Like It” by Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J. Balvin, as Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour took home Album of the Year.
Apple shined a light on podcasts with a list heavy on investigative reporting and storytelling, examples being “This American Life,””Slow Burn” and “Wolverine: The Long Night.” The company said podcasts focusing on news and politics gained traction this year, presumably thanks to a tumultuous domestic news cycle and the midterm elections.
Critically-acclaimed movies like “Crazy Rich Asians” and TV shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale” topped Apple’s picks for Apple TV and iTunes.
Finally, Apple noted top offerings from the recently revamped — and renamed — Apple Books, including Book of the Year “American Marriage.”