Apple and Google have made their selections for the best apps and games of 2023, with Apple awarding the title of iPhone App of the Year to AllTrails and Google honoring Imprint as the best app on Google Play. The game Honkai: Star Rail clinched the Game of the Year title on both platforms, showcasing a rare consensus in their year-end accolades.
(Source: Apple)
Apple and Google's annual app awards not only spotlight standout apps but also reflect the tech giants' priorities and the interests of consumers over the year. This year, Apple's choice of AllTrails, a seasoned app in the App Store, signals a shift from its usual trend of recognizing new or technologically innovative apps.
Apple's list of winners spans various categories, including Prêt-à-Makeup for iPad and Photomator for Mac, while Google's selections highlight multi-device apps, aligning with its Play Store initiative to promote apps beyond smartphones.
Google, on the other hand, showcased a variety of apps with individual accolades and recognized multi-device compatibility, a key focus for the company. The selection included Spotify as the best multi-device app and OUTERPLANE as the top multi-device game.
Where is the Trending "AIs"?
Despite the meteoric rise of ChatGPT's mobile app, neither Apple nor Google selected an AI-driven app as their top pick. This decision comes as a surprise, given ChatGPT's record-breaking user growth and the significant revenue generated by AI apps.
Google's User's Choice App of the Year went to ChatGPT, indicating the app's popularity among users despite not being the platform's top pick.
Apple's "Trend of the Year": AI App
While AI apps were omitted from Apple's top awards, the company acknowledged the cultural impact of AI by naming generative AI as the "Trend of the Year." Apple also highlighted apps that made a cultural impact, such as Pok Pok and Proloquo, emphasizing their role in shaping society.
Editor's Comments
The choices made by Apple and Google for their respective app awards of 2023 reveal a complex landscape where traditional, well-designed apps are celebrated alongside the latest technological trends.
The omission of AI apps from the top honors, particularly ChatGPT, may reflect a cautious approach by the tech giants amidst the rapid advancements and growing scrutiny in the AI space.
Nonetheless, the user-driven accolades for ChatGPT and the acknowledgment of generative AI as a significant trend underscore the undeniable influence of AI on today's digital ecosystem.
In conclusion, Apple and Google's app awards for 2023 highlight traditional apps over AI, with AllTrails and Imprint winning top honors, and ChatGPT notably absent as a platform pick despite user popularity.