Apple reveals the 2024 App Store Award winners, showcasing 17 outstanding apps and games that redefine creativity, productivity, and entertainment across Apple platforms. Discover the best of the App Store!

Apple today announced the winners of the 2024 App Store Awards, celebrating 17 outstanding apps and games that have captivated users worldwide with their innovative design, exceptional functionality, and cultural impact. These winning apps, spanning categories from productivity to entertainment and creativity to social connection, represent the pinnacle of app development and showcase the transformative power of technology in our daily lives.

The annual App Store Awards, now in their seventh year, recognize the groundbreaking work of developers who push the boundaries of what’s possible on Apple platforms. This year’s winners were selected by Apple’s global App Store editorial team for their exceptional quality, user experience, and overall impact.

“This year’s App Store Award winners reimagine our experiences with apps that unlock creativity, connect us to others, and inspire exploration,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “From dynamic games to life-changing productivity tools, these apps demonstrate the profound impact technology can have on our lives.”

And the Award Goes to…

The 2024 App Store Award winners represent a diverse range of apps and games, each offering unique and compelling experiences across Apple devices:

Apps

iPhone App of the Year: Kino, a revolutionary video editing app that empowers creators to tell their stories with cinematic flair.
iPad App of the Year: Moises, an AI-powered music app that allows musicians to isolate vocals and instruments in any song, opening up endless possibilities for practice, remixing, and collaboration.
Mac App of the Year: Adobe Lightroom, the industry-leading photo editing software, reimagined for the Mac with powerful new features and seamless integration with Apple silicon.
Apple Vision Pro App of the Year: What If…? , an immersive storytelling experience that transports users to fantastical worlds and lets them interact with characters and environments in groundbreaking ways.
Apple Watch App of the Year: Lumy, an elegant and intuitive app that helps photographers capture the perfect light with sunrise and sunset predictions, golden hour tracking, and more.
Apple TV App of the Year: F1 TV, the official streaming app of Formula 1 racing, delivering live races, exclusive content, and immersive experiences to fans around the world.

Games

iPhone Game of the Year: AFK Journey, a captivating idle RPG that blends stunning visuals, strategic gameplay, and a rich fantasy world.
iPad Game of the Year: Squad Busters, a hilarious and action-packed multiplayer brawler featuring iconic characters from the Supercell universe.
Mac Game of the Year: Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life-sim adventure game that invites players to create their own magical Disney and Pixar village alongside beloved characters.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Cityscapes: Sim Builder, an engaging city-building simulator that challenges players to design and manage sustainable urban environments.

Cultural Impact

In addition to the category winners, Apple also recognized six apps that have made a significant cultural impact, inspiring creativity, promoting education, and fostering connection:

Duolingo: The popular language learning app that makes acquiring new skills fun and accessible for millions of users.
Headspace: A leading mindfulness and meditation app that helps users reduce stress, improve focus, and find inner peace.
Khan Academy: A non-profit educational organization providing free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.
Procreate Dreams: A powerful animation app that empowers artists to bring their ideas to life with intuitive tools and stunning visuals.
Gentler Streak: A fitness app that encourages users to listen to their bodies, prioritize recovery, and build sustainable exercise habits.
How We Feel: An innovative mental health app that helps users understand and manage their emotions through journaling, personalized insights, and guided activities.

A Deeper Dive into the Winners

Kino: Democratizing Cinematic Storytelling

Kino, the iPhone App of the Year, has taken the mobile video editing world by storm. This intuitive app puts professional-level filmmaking tools in the hands of everyday users, empowering them to create stunning videos with ease. With its sleek interface, powerful features, and AI-powered editing assistance, Kino makes it simple to trim, merge, add effects, and enhance footage. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or a casual creator, Kino unlocks your creative potential and helps you share your stories with the world.

Moises: Music Reimagined

Moises, the iPad App of the Year, is a game-changer for musicians of all levels. This innovative app uses AI to isolate vocals and instruments in any song, allowing users to create custom backing tracks, practice their parts, and explore new musical possibilities. Imagine removing the guitar track from your favorite song to practice your own riffs, or isolating the vocals to create an acapella version. Moises makes it all possible, transforming the way we interact with music.

Adobe Lightroom: A Photography Powerhouse on the Mac

Adobe Lightroom, the Mac App of the Year, needs no introduction. This industry-standard photo editing software has been reimagined for the Mac, taking full advantage of Apple silicon’s performance and macOS features. With its intuitive interface, powerful editing tools, and seamless cloud integration, Lightroom empowers photographers to bring their visions to life with precision and artistry. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic amateur, Lightroom provides everything you need to organize, edit, and share your photos.

What If…? : Stepping into the Metaverse of Storytelling

What If…?, the Apple Vision Pro App of the Year, redefines immersive storytelling. This groundbreaking app leverages the power of Apple Vision Pro to transport users into interactive narratives, where they can explore fantastical worlds, engage with characters, and influence the story’s outcome. Imagine stepping into a classic fairytale, solving puzzles alongside beloved characters, and shaping the narrative with your choices. What If…? offers a glimpse into the future of storytelling, where the lines between reality and fiction blur.

Lumy: Chasing the Golden Hour

Lumy, the Apple Watch App of the Year, is a must-have for photography enthusiasts. This elegant app provides photographers with essential information about the sun’s position, including sunrise and sunset times, golden hour and blue hour durations, and real-time light conditions. With Lumy on your wrist, you’ll never miss the perfect lighting opportunity.

F1 TV: The Ultimate Racing Companion

F1 TV, the Apple TV App of the Year, puts Formula 1 fans in the driver’s seat. This comprehensive app delivers live race coverage, on-demand replays, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. With its immersive viewing experience and comprehensive features, F1 TV is the ultimate companion for any racing enthusiast.

The Impact of the App Store Awards

The App Store Awards not only celebrate the achievements of talented developers but also serve as a source of inspiration and discovery for users. By highlighting the best apps and games across various categories, the awards encourage innovation, promote quality, and help users find exceptional experiences on the App Store.

For developers, winning an App Store Award is a prestigious recognition of their hard work and creativity. It provides valuable exposure, boosts credibility, and can significantly impact an app’s success. The awards also inspire developers to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and to create even more amazing apps in the future.

As the App Store ecosystem continues to evolve, the App Store Awards play a vital role in recognizing and celebrating the transformative power of apps. These awards showcase the incredible creativity and ingenuity of developers worldwide and inspire us all to explore the endless possibilities of technology.

My Personal Take

As someone who closely follows the app development landscape, I’m always excited to see the App Store Award winners each year. It’s inspiring to witness the innovative ways developers are using technology to enhance our lives, from simplifying everyday tasks to creating immersive entertainment experiences. I’ve personally used many of this year’s winning apps, and I can attest to their exceptional quality and user experience. Kino, for example, has become my go-to video editing app, allowing me to create professional-looking videos with minimal effort. I’m also impressed by the cultural impact of apps like Duolingo and Headspace, which are making a real difference in people’s lives. The App Store Awards serve as a reminder of the incredible potential of apps to entertain, educate, and inspire us all.

About the author

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Jamie Davidson

Jamie is the Senior Rumors Analyst at PC-Tablet.com, with over 5 years of experience in tech journalism. He holds a postgraduate degree in Biotechnology, blending his scientific expertise with a deep passion for technology. Jamie plays a key role in managing the office staff writers, ensuring they stay informed with the latest technological developments and industry rumors. Known for his quiet nature, he is also an avid Chess player. Jamie’s analytical skills and dedication to following tech trends make him an essential contributor to the team, helping to maintain the site’s reputation for timely and accurate reporting.