I tried 9 apps from the Apple Store Awards: which are worth downloading?

I downloaded nine apps from the Apple Store Awards finalist list to see which ones are worth keeping on my phone.

Once I stumbled across the selection of apps nominated for the App Store Awards, I realized that I’ve been using the same few apps without a clue that there might be many more worth using.

So, I took it as an opportunity to dive in and see what apps I’m missing out on and how they can make my life easier.

The App Store Awards is an annual affair during which the company acknowledges the best apps and games in terms of user experience, design, and innovation.

The list consists of 45 applications in 12 different categories. The categories presented reflect where the apps are best suited for use – a smartphone, laptop, smartwatch, or even a headset.

It's an extensive list of apps to choose from. Some are already popular (Adobe Lightroom, Zoom, NBA, and more) and offer everyday services (for example, tracking runs, managing projects, and editing videos).

But after reviewing some of the apps nominated for the Apple Design Awards, I learned that they also include a few interesting, useful, and perhaps less-known apps. So, what are they?

iPhone App of the Year Finalists

The finalists for the iPhone App of the Year category include three different apps that focus on users' interests.

It includes Kino, an app for users who want their video content to look more cinematic; Runna, an app that offers training plans; and Tripsy, a helping hand to those who want to keep their traveling details in one place.

While all three apps are something I would use, the one that caught my attention was Tripsy.

And to be completely honest, it was also the only app that worked for me because I didn’t want to pay $10 for the Kino app, and Runna just didn’t want to record my run. So, I took it as a sign to just use my phone to plan my next trip.

The app allows users to enter all the necessary information about their trip and shows details such as the length of the trip and the itinerary. It also allows users to add all the necessary documents and expenses and share the information with other travelers.

While I found this useful, the only downside is that it is a paid app that only gives you a 7-day free trial.

However, Reddit users had mixed opinions about the app, stating they “ended up typically googling for making literary travel trips as it’s easier.”

Why would you use a watch to improve your vocabulary?

Among the finalists for the Apple Watch App is Watch to 5K, which is not surprising considering that smartwatches are often used to track workouts. But knowing my luck with running apps, I decided to check out the other finalists in this category.

I started with Lumy, an app for users “who want to be in tune with the sun.” It shows sun tracking information, lightning conditions, weather information, and other relevant information when spending time outdoors.

An interesting choice among the apps of the year category for Apple Watch was LookUp: English Dictionary. It’s an application that allows users to learn new English words.

The application provides users with a “word of the day,” allowing them to discover more words or prepare for various language tests through a paid subscription.

While it seems like a fun app for learning new words, I wasn’t convinced of how convenient it would be through a smartwatch.

Getting sophisticated on the go

Among Cultural Impact finalists are 12 apps that focus on education, entertainment, and creativity.

While I’m not a fan of games, one of the apps that I decided to download from the list was NYT Games. Here, you can find all of The New York Times' classic games, including the Crossword, Wordle, Spelling Bee, Sudoku, and more. I found it to be great on long bus rides.

If you’ve ever found yourself speeding through an art gallery because you couldn’t understand the paintings you were seeing, DailyArt is an educational app that helps to understand art better. It provides a daily dose of information about certain paintings and the story behind them.

For members of all sorts of planning party committees, the Partiful app provides tools that help to “plan events in seconds.” The application allows users to create invites, track RSVPs, share updates or pictures, send out questionnaires, or raise funds.

So, if you haven’t found a way to plan that upcoming Christmas party with your friends, perhaps give Partiful a go.

The company released the Apple Store Awards finalists last week and should announce the winners of each category in the upcoming weeks.