Instead of naming ChatGPT as their 'app of the year,' Apple and Google have chosen AllTrails and Imprint respectively.

In 2023, Apple and Google unveiled their annual selections for the top apps and games, with AllTrails clinching the title of Apple's iPhone App of the Year and Imprint: Learn Visually earning Google Play's Best App award. Interestingly, both tech giants chose Honkai: Star Rail as their Game of the Year.

These annual lists serve multiple purposes: they not only stimulate interest in various apps and games but also provide insights into the trends and user preferences in the app market. They reflect the priorities of the platforms and highlight what captured users' attention over the year.

In a departure from its usual focus on newer apps or those leveraging the latest technologies, Apple's list this year included long-standing, high-quality apps. These included the language-learning app Duolingo and the travel app Flighty, alongside the winning outdoor navigation app AllTrails. This shift suggests an emphasis on recognizing apps that have consistently delivered value and quality to users.

This year's selection of top apps and games by Apple and Google marks a notable shift from previous years. While 2022 saw the rise of the social app BeReal and 2021 spotlighted the children's app Toca Life World, the choices for 2023 leaned towards different types of applications.

Despite the monumental success of AI apps like ChatGPT's mobile version, neither Apple nor Google awarded an AI app as their App of the Year. This omission is particularly striking given ChatGPT's record-breaking growth, reaching 100 million users rapidly post-launch, a feat later surpassed by Instagram Threads. Both ChatGPT and other AI apps have generated significant revenue, yet the platforms chose to focus elsewhere for their top honors.

The winners in Apple's App Store categories for 2023 included Prêt-à-Makeup for iPad App of the Year, Photomator as Mac App of the Year, MUBI for Apple TV App of the Year, and SmartGym as Apple Watch App of the Year. For games, Honkai: Star Rail won iPhone Game of the Year, with Lost in Play for iPad, Lies of P for Mac, and Hello Kitty Island Adventure in Apple Arcade.

Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the 2023 winners for their innovation, quality, and impactful missions. However, AI's significant cultural influence wasn't entirely overlooked. While AI apps didn't win in the Cultural Impact category, which included diverse winners like Pok Pok, Proloquo, Too Good To Go, Unpacking, and Finding Hannah, Apple acknowledged AI's importance by dubbing generative AI the "Trend of the Year." A collection of generative AI apps was grouped on the App Store, though they weren't specifically named in the press release.

Google's approach to its "best of" apps and games this year was multifaceted, emphasizing multi-device compatibility, a nod to its Play Store initiatives. Spotify, despite its recent exposure for bypassing Play Store fees through a deal with Google, was named the best multi-device app. OUTERPLANE – Strategy Anime took the title of best multi-device game.

The User’s Choice App of the Year, as voted by the public, was ChatGPT, while Monopoly Go! clinched the User’s Choice Game of the Year.

Google also recognized apps in various categories:

• Best App for Fun: Bumble for Friends: Meet IRL
• Best for Personal Growth: Voidpet Garden: Mental Health
• Best Everyday Essential: Artifact: Feed Your Curiosity
• Best Hidden Gem: Aware: Mindfulness & Wellbeing
• Best with AI: Character AI: AI-Powered Chat
• Best for Families: Paw Patrol Academy
• Best App for Good: AWorld in support of ActNow
• Best for Watches: WhatsApp Messenger
• Best for Tablets: Concepts: Sketch, Note, Draw
• Best for Chromebooks: FlipaClip: Create 2D Animation
• Best for Google TV: Max: Stream HBO, TV, & Movies
• Best for Cars: Amazon Prime Video

Notably, Google featured WhatsApp, a Meta-owned app, and Artifact, developed by Instagram’s co-founders, in its list. ChatGPT won the User’s Choice award, and Google introduced an AI category, won by Character AI, developed by former Google researchers.

Google also listed Honorable Mentions across various app categories, including Reelsy Reel Maker Video Editor, Imprint: Learn Visually, ReciMe: Easy & Tasty Recipes, Stippl: Explore, Plan & Share, ChatGPT, LEGO DUPLO DISNEY, AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run, Audible: Audio Entertainment, Canva: Design, Photo & Video, Everand: Ebooks and audiobooks, Evernote – Note Organizer, Wideo, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Tubi: Movies & Live TV, Beach Buggy Racing, and Spotify.

The best games as per Google included:

• Best Multiplayer Game: Farlight 84
• Best Pick Up & Play: MONOPOLY GO!
• Best Indie: Vampire Survivors
• Best Story: Honkai: Star Rail
• Best Ongoing: Stumble Guys
• Best Games for Good: Pokémon Sleep
• Best on Play Pass: Magic Rampage
• Best for Tablets: Honkai: Star Rail
• Best for Chromebooks: Minecraft
• Best for Google Play Games on PC: Arknights

Honorable mentions for games were also provided, highlighting a diverse range of titles.

Google’s selections reflect the evolving landscape of app and game preferences, emphasizing the importance of multi-device compatibility, AI integration, and user preferences in shaping the app ecosystem.