One of the highlights of the annual Worldwide Developers Conference is the Apple Design Award. The event recognizes some of the best work by independent developers around the globe that are related to Apple's software and hardware.
Despite being overshadowed by Apple's exciting new devices and software, the ADA winners had their share of the limelight. The twelve winning entries come from eight different countries around the world.
Airmail 3
Leonardo Chiantini and Giovanni Simonnica of Italy, who makes up Bloop, developed this email client with support for Siri. It is available on both iPhone for $3.99 and Mac for $9.99.
Bear
People who love taking notes will love this Apple Design Award winner. It comes with different themes and typography while also allowing users to do some sketches and doodles using their fingers. Bear is free but those who prefer the pro version need to shell out $14.99 a year for the subscription.
Blackbox
Blackbox is the brainchild of Ryan McLeod of the United States. The fully accessible puzzle game lets players go through different challenges that make them "think outside the box" to find solutions without having to touch the screen. The Blackbox is free.
Elk
Looking for a fast way to convert currencies? Elk, an Apple Watch app developed by Singaporeans, lets users convert more than 150 currencies from all over the globe through the Apple Watch. Elk is free for the first 14 days. The full version is worth $3.99.
Enlight
Enlight is a photo editor from Israel. The app works on both iPhones and iPads. Enlight costs $3.99.
Kitchen Stories
This cooking app is so good that even Apple CEO Tim Cook likes it so much, according to Business Insider. The app developed by a group of Germans help in food preparation. Kitchen Stories is free but with in-app purchases.
Lake
Lake is a coloring app similar to the adult coloring books that became popular last year. It works with the Apple Pencil and is free though there are in-app purchases.
Mushroom 11
Husband and wife tandems Itay Keren and Julia Keren-Detar and Simon and Kara Kono of the United States combined their talents to come up with this game featuring a mushroom-like blob. Untame Games also collaborated with a chemist, a biochemist, and the electronic band The Future Sound of London to perfect this platforming game which costs $4.99.
Old Man's Journey
The puzzle adventure game from Austria is best played on an iPad. It's about an old man, his journey, and the beautiful and emotional memories he has gathered throughout his life. The visual feast is worth $4.99.
Severed
The sword-fighting game is the result of around two year's worth of hard work by a group of developers from Canada collectively known as Drink Box. AppleInsider noted that the Apple Design Award for Severed was the "biggest award" they have received for their efforts. The game sells for $2.99.
Splitter Critters
This arcade puzzle game from Canada deserves the Apple Design Award simply because of its stunning minimalist paper craft-like graphics, sound design, and touch-centric gameplay. It sells for only $2.99.
Things 3
People who like things organized will appreciate this personal task manager. Things 3 may be used on iOS, macOS, and watchOS. The app is worth $9.99.
