With its list of Apple Design Awards finalists, Apple is celebrating indie apps and startups more than big tech firms — including companies offering AI chatbots.
At a time when its App Store model has been questioned by legislators and regulators alike, Apple’s annual list of what it considers the best and most technologically innovative software available on its platform has a focus on the little guys. For example, ChatGPT is not on Apple’s list of finalists. Instead, Apple gives preference to small to mid-sized app makers such as Co-pilot wealth, Smart Gymrecipe app Croutonscreative app Give birth to dreams, Gentle streak and others, as well as venture-backed startups such as Creativity App Rooms and a reimagined web browser ArcSearch,
The latter incorporates AI with an agent that browses for you and a new feature that lets you ask questions by raising the phone to your ear For “Call Arc”, But it’s the only app on the list whose description references the technology that has taken the App Store — and the tech industry at large — by storm over the past year.
Although ChatGPT was launched last year Record downloadsBoth Apple and Google refrained from naming it The ADA would have given Apple another opportunity to embrace innovation, but it was ignored again.
Rather, Apple’s finalists list includes indie games such as Ritmos Copenhagen-based Floppy Club; A match-three puzzle finiteness on Apple Arcade; the wreck From independent Paris-based game studio Pixel Hunt, Bear From a German self-described “weird group of creative people” Mux Games; and others.
The non-game apps that Apple has decided to highlight this year are also often indie efforts, such as AttentionA meditation timer from Rhythmicworks Software, an independent developer based in India; a sun-tracking app SunlitFrom a small team led by indie developer Nicolas Marinello, based in Italy; drawing app draw dudel From an indie outfit Silly Little Apps In the US; journaling app expresses gratitude by Australian developer Isuru Wanasinghe; and by Things Inc. roomA creative app for designing imaginative places in 8-bit style, Designed by ex-Googlers And it’s backed by the a16z. (In fact, Apple has doubly blessed Rooms, nominating it in two categories.)
That doesn’t mean there aren’t some bigger developers on the list, such as South Korea’s Neowiz, who are also nominated for it. p k lies title, 505 games Death Stranding Director’s Cut, Honkai: Star Rail Hoyoverse and Activision’s creators are working together to create a new platform for Genshin Impact. Call of Duty: Warzone MobileFor example. But in those cases, Apple is making its choices partly due to their use of Apple technologies, such as MetalFX or optimizations for its M1 and higher chips (…or maybe their use of in-app purchases!).
Other titles receiving approval this year include what car?, NYT Games, Hello Kitty Island Adventure, Cityscapes: Sim Builder, How do we feel?, Next: Emotions coach, Bear, lost in the game, Wavelength, Little NightmaresAnd a handful of apps and games that were made for the Vision Pro, such as black box, Luna, Synth RidersPlus DJ, nba And Sky GuideIt’s worth noting that many of these were originally created for iOS and then ported over to Vision Pro.
The “Inclusivity” section also promotes Apple’s global app community, including members of the European Union, where regulation is being worked through Digital Markets ActIn this section, Apple enrollment includes an app for users with low vision Oko (Belgium), focused on diversity Complete Anatomy 2024 (Ireland), an app for neurodivergent users, Tiimo (Denmark), plus games Shell Sold by digital storefronts humble BundleQuadline from Ukraine Kovalov Ivan, and Crayola Adventures,
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