‘Tis the season for giving… awards to those who deserve it, that is. As the year nears its end, Apple has unveiled the winners of the 2023 App Store Awards, selected from nearly 40 finalists spanning 10 different categories and all iOS platforms.
“It’s inspiring to see the ways developers continue to build incredible apps and games that are redefining the world around us,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “This year’s winners represent the limitless potential of developers to bring their visions to life, creating apps and games with remarkable ingenuity, exceptional quality, and purpose-driven missions.”
Here’s the full list of winners (congratulations!):
- iPhone App of the Year: AllTrails, from AllTrails, Inc.
- iPad App of the Year: Prêt-à-Makeup, from Prêt-à-Template
- Mac App of the Year: Photomator, from UAB Pixelmator Team
- Apple TV App of the Year: MUBI, from MUBI, Inc.
- Apple Watch App of the Year: SmartGym, from Mateus Abras
- iPhone Game of the Year: Honkai: Star Rail, from COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD
- iPad Game of the Year: Lost in Play, from Snapbreak Games
- Mac Game of the Year: Lies of P, from NEOWIZ
- Apple Arcade Game of the Year: Hello Kitty Island Adventure, from Sunblink
- Cultural Impact Winners:
- Pok Pok from Pok Pok
- Proloquo from AssistiveWare
- Too Good To Go from Too Good To Go
- Unpacking from Humble Bundle
- Finding Hannah from Fein Games GmbH
Hot on the heels of the announcement, the company also announced its (PRODUCT)RED initiative, in support of the Global Fund’s fight against HIV / AIDS. The organisation uses 100 percent of Apple’s contribution to fund HIV / AIDS programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, and has been a partner since 2006.
This year, the App Store is set to donate all proceeds from select, exclusive in-app purchases for MONOPOLY GO!, Gardenscapes, and EA Sports FC Mobile to the Global Fund, including avatars, shields, and star soccer players. The window for that has already ended, but Apple will continue to donate US$1 for every purchase made using Apple Pay on the official website, through the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store location, from now through 8 December.
Additionally, the company is also offering educational resources for users to learn more about HIV / AIDS on Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, and the Apple TV app. Apple Music subscribers, meanwhile, can listen to a curated selection of music from across Africa, including Nigerian artists from Mavin Records.
Rounding out the initiative is the (PRODUCT)RED product line, with the Apple Watch Series 9 sporting a full red design. The Palette and Solar Analog watch faces will be available in the same colour as well, joining a collection of specially customised watch faces celebrating World AIDS Day.
The wearable, alongside other devices in the lineup – including iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE – and accessories like the Silicone Case with MagSafe, are now available in-store and online.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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