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Ah, here we go again – no, not the chaos of Black Friday sales (though we know your cart was full), but the parade of end-of-year highlight reels.

From Spotify Wrapped reminding you how many hours you spent on Taylor Swift to Google TV’s top picks, it’s all rolling in. Now, Apple is stepping up and revealing the finalists for its annual App Store Awards.

Each year, Apple’s App Store Awards highlight the top apps and games for user experience, design, and innovation. Last week, the company revealed the most elite apps in the 2024 mix.

If you happen to be looking for a shiny new app for your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, the App Store Awards have got you covered with a handy cheat sheet of the ones you might’ve overlooked. This year’s shortlists are out, spanning every Apple platform, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Arcade, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and, for the first time this year, the Apple Vision Pro.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this year’s App Store Award finalists, whose imagination and craftsmanship have produced amazing apps that users love,” Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of Worldwide App Store, said in a press release. “From games that transport players to fantastical new worlds, to apps that fuel creativity, these developers are delivering remarkable experiences that captivate and inspire.”

Without further adieu…

The iPhone apps of the year are:

Apple cited these iPhone app finalists’ ability to enhance real-world experience through personalised tools and user-friendly features.

Kino – A $9.99 video recording app that turns your everyday videos into cinematic productions.

Image: Apple

The brains behind the Halide camera app are no strangers to the App Store Awards. They snagged the title of the iPhone App of the Year back in 2019 with Spectre, and now they’re back in the spotlight with a nomination for their video app, Kino.

Kino made its debut earlier this year, flaunting support for the iPhone 15 Pro’s Apple Log video format, which gives video nerds more flexibility for colour-grading magic. But don’t let the pro-level buzzwords scare you off—Kino’s packed with features for the rest of us too, like tools to nail cinematic motion blur and other slick settings.

Apple called it an app that “turns everyday moments into cinematic masterpieces.” A bit dramatic? Maybe. But there’s no denying Kino’s got a solid case for being one of the top video editing apps on the iPhone.

Runna – A free app with customized training plans for runners of all levels.

Image: Apple

We’re chuffed to see Runna snag a spot among Apple’s App Store Award finalists—this app is a stellar pick for smashing your running goals. Our Runna review gave props to its detailed stat breakdowns and those handy audio prompts that keep your pacing on point (because we all need a stern voice telling us to pick it up sometimes).

Launched back in 2021, Runna has evolved into a go-to motivational coach for everyone, whether you’re chasing a 5K PB or tackling a full marathon. Its sleek, beginner-friendly design is a bonus—perfect for when you hit the wall (or, let’s be honest, feel knackered after the first 200 meters).

Tripsy – A free app that helps you better plan your travels.

Image: Apple

Tripsy might’ve debuted back in 2019, but like a fine wine, it’s just getting better with age—especially now that travel is firmly back on the cards.

This app is basically your personal travel PA, rounding up all your itinerary details (think hotels, must-visit spots, and more), giving you flight alerts, and safely storing your documents in one place. Less stress, more holiday vibes.

Lately, Tripsy’s upped its game with handy extras like weather tracking and a customisable dashboard. So, if you’re plotting big adventures for 2025, this app might just be your new travel buddy.

iPad App of the Year Finalists

• Bluey: Let’s Play – A free learning game for kids, complete with lovable characters.
• Moises – A free musical learning app that separates the vocals and instruments from any song.
• Procreate Dreams – Priced at $19.99, this app can bring animated stories to life.

Mac App of the Year Finalists

The finalists on the Mac provide powerful tools to help you more easily tackle different projects.

• Adobe Lightroom – The free Lightroom app can edit and enhance your photos and videos with a touch of AI
• OmniFocus 4 – This free task management app helps you juggle your tasks
• Shapr3D – This free CAD app assists you as you design 3D models and draft drawings

Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists

The Apple Watch finalists were lauded for offering helpful tools and information accessible from your wrist.

• LookUp – This free English dictionary app helps you improve your vocabulary with daily definitions
• Lumy – Priced at $6.99, this one puts you in tune with the sun and moon for photo taking, hiking, and other tasks
• Watch to 5K – At $4.49, this app pushes you to train for 5K marathons

You can check out all the other finalists over here.

If you want to try out these Apps but don’t have the right device to draw, make films, or track your running, then don’t forget that Digicape is the one-stop shop for everything you need.

As South Africa’s largest independent Apple retailer, Digicape offers you unrivalled product knowledge, range, training, and service solutions.

Not only do they offer a trade-in option so you can swap your oldie for a newbie without forking out full price, but Digicape also has dedicated and Apple-skilled technicians and shop assistants who can help you figure the tech out and optimise your app game.

Find a Digicape store near you.

[source:techradar]