Apple Names Best Apps and Games of 2016

Pokemon Go App Store dominanceApple has unveiled its annual ‘Best of’ lists for 2016. The lists celebrate the most popular apps, music, movies, TV shows, books and podcasts across the App Store, iTunes, Apple Music and iBooks.

The lists consist of editors’ picks, most downloaded content and top selling content. Although 2016 may not be the most fondly remembered year for a lot of people, these lists remind everyone that there were some good things to come out of this year.

The award for best iPhone app of 2016 was, perhaps unsurprisingly, awarded to Prisma – which turns photos and videos into art. This was joined by Sketchbook Motion, which enables users to animate their drawings or photos, the MySwimPro exercise tracker for Apple Watch and Twitter for Apple TV.

The years most downloaded free iPhone app was Snapchat, beating out summer sensation Pokémon Go – those it does feature on both the iPhone and iPad lists. The top paid iPhone app was Heads Up!, with FaceTune and Face Swap Live also charting.

On iPad, Minecraft: Pocket Edition was the most downloaded paid app and YouTube the top free app.

The crown for game of the year was given to Clash Royale on iPhone, Severed for iPad, Riptide GP: Renegade for Apple TV and Field Day for Apple Watch. It is interesting to note that Pokémon Go was not included in the top 10 for game of the year.

Elsewhere, Apple’s podcasts consumed over 10bn downloads and streams during the year via iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and desktop. Fresh Air from NPR is the top download podcast of the year.