Every year, Google Play celebrates its most impressive apps. These are judged on their popularity, the number of downloads, and the level of positive impact they’ve had on culture over the year. In Google Play’s Best of 2021, there are some standout performers in each of the main categories. Let’s examine some of the top apps and a few of the names that may have narrowly missed out in their respective divisions.
Best App
Balance was voted the Best App of 2021, and it is easy to see why. The offering from Elevate Labs is primarily designed to help people with meditation and sleep. Users get an astonishing first year for free, meaning they can get accustomed to all the top features of the app before having to invest any of their own funds. The great thing about Balance is that it uses a complex algorithm to generate a personalized experience for everyone who uses the app. After each meditation session, users answer questions so that the next time they use the app it is better suited to their needs.
The main reason why Balance made it to the top is that many people are investing more in their health and well-being. There are a few other apps that offer a similar experience with slight differences. The Wim Hof Method app, for example, focuses on breathing exercises and cold therapy to help people relax and boost their immune systems. There are other meditation options as well, with Breethe being up there with the best.
Users’ Choice 2021
Paramount+ won the Users’ choice category this year, thanks to its incredibly user-friendly interface and wide range of options for viewers. The app from CBS Interactive prides itself on offering a variety of sports, news, and entertainment to suit everyone’s tastes.
For its well-rounded selection, it’s easy to see why Paramount+ won the accolade. However, some apps that provide similar services and perform better in different regions missed out. For example, Paramount+ only offers NFL and UEFA Champions League for sports fans. But this is not good for lovers of other competitions like cricket.
Best Everyday Essentials
There are certain apps that can make life so much easier, and the 2021 winner in the Best Everyday Essentials category achieves that purpose. If you’ve ever found yourself wandering around a garden, wondering what each of the plants was called, Blossom is the answer to all your problems. It’s a plant identification app, which allows you to take photos to get instant verification of the plant or tree name. It also provides handy details about how to care for the flora in the best way.
There are other apps that serve a similar function to Blossom. Shazam, for instance, was one of the earliest song recognition apps. Google Lens is one that goes a few steps further, allowing users to hold their phone screen up to anything to get an identification. It will also pull up shopping links to help you find things you like for sale.
There were numerous other winners in Google Play’s list that are worthy of mention here. Laughscape was voted as the Best Hidden Gem, Canva was deemed the Best Tablet App, and Best for Fun was Clubhouse: Drop-in Audio Chat. These services have set the tone for next year when app developers will be desperate to outdo them with new and improved offerings.
