--- title: "The Best Apps of 2016: What Will Change in 2017?" locale: "en" language: "en-HK" published: "2016-12-12T06:09:56.000Z" updated: "2026-03-19T21:15:05.600Z" canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/the-best-apps-of-2016-what-will-change-in-2017-366" --- # The Best Apps of 2016: What Will Change in 2017? Prisma won App of the Year from both Apple and Google Play in 2016. Against a backdrop of creative apps and new technologies, the article looks ahead to the potential rise of AR / VR apps in 2017. ## In brief Prisma topped both Apple and Google Play’s 2016 app selections, while Clash Royale and Pokémon GO won their respective game awards. The article expects new technologies such as AI to shape app development and anticipates growing interest in AR / VR apps in 2017. **Apple and Google both released their [lists of the best apps of 2016]().** Apple named Prisma its App of the Year and Clash Royale its Game of the Year. The former is a photo-editing app that uses artificial intelligence and neural network technology to transform users’ images into various artistic styles in seconds; the latter is a multiplayer tower defence game. Apple’s outstanding app and game honours went to Meldy and Chameleon Run respectively. The former is a music player, while the latter is a running game. **Google 2016 Apple Store Apps of the Year Selection** The outstanding apps selected by Google Play reflect popularity in the [Android smartphone app ]()market. Google Play also named Prisma its App of the Year, while Pokémon GO rode its wave of popularity to win Game of the Year. **[The App Market in 2017]() Forecast: Will AR / VR Products Take Off?** From 2011 to 2015, Apple’s Apps of the Year were Instagram, ActionMovie FX, Duolingo, Replay Video Editor and Enlight respectively. Apart from Duolingo, a language-learning app, the other four were apps for photo or video post-production. As in previous years, photography, video recording and music production apps took several places on Apple’s list this year, once again demonstrating Apple’s determination to position its devices as productivity tools. What sets this year apart is the use of new technologies. Prisma’s artificial intelligence technology, for example, extracts features from users’ photos to the cloud and uses neural networks to combine the photos with famous paintings, producing results far beyond ordinary filters. These new technologies give apps fresh vitality and are expected to become a trend in app development. Google’s selections for best app over the past few years have covered a wider variety of categories, including [social and utility apps](). What changes will Google Play see next year? Industry observers believe that, as Google opens up its Daydream platform, it is likely to accelerate the development of mobile VR. AR / VR apps are expected to start gaining popularity on Google Play next year. The same trend applies to Apple. Media reports suggest that Apple will introduce AR / VR content at WWDC in 2017, encouraging [developers]() to release related apps on IOS. http://it.sohu.com/20161209/n475416768.shtml ## Frequently asked questions ### Which apps and games won Apple and Google Play’s top awards in 2016? Both Apple and Google Play named Prisma their App of the Year. Apple’s Game of the Year was Clash Royale, while Google Play selected Pokémon GO. ### What makes Prisma different from an ordinary photo filter app? According to the article, Prisma extracts photo features to the cloud and uses neural network technology to combine photos with famous paintings. It can transform images into various artistic styles in seconds, with results described as far beyond ordinary filters. ### What pattern does the article identify in Apple’s app selections? Photography, video recording and music production apps occupied several places on Apple’s 2016 list. The article sees this as evidence of Apple’s determination to make its devices productivity tools. ### Why does the article expect AR / VR apps to gain popularity in 2017? The article cites industry expectations that opening up Google’s Daydream platform would accelerate mobile VR development. It also cites media reports that Apple would introduce AR / VR content at WWDC in 2017, encouraging developers to release related apps on IOS.