There are approximately 500,000 apps available to download to iPhones, iPads and Android-based smartphones and tablets. So what were the best apps and games created for these devices in 2010?
Most of the action still on the iPhone
From photography apps like Hipstamatic and Instagram, to entertainment apps like Netflix, to shopping apps like Groupon and Price Check by Amazon, there was no shortage of great titles available at our fingertips.
Check out other great non-game iPhone apps of 2010 here.
Of course there was no shortage of excellent iPhone games released in 2010. Late in the year, games like Infinity Blade, N.O.V.A 2, and Laura Croft and the Guardian of Light revolutionized how graphics are displayed on mobile devices. Yet the simple and addictive Cut the Rope emerged as the biggest competitor to all-time champion Angry Birds (which was released in late 2009).
The other most notable games released for the iPhone in 2010 can be found here.
Social networking enthusiasts can also tap into great apps that were introduced and updated in 2010 here, while news junkies can feast on these great apps just off the presses.
iPad expands the playing field for apps and games
After the iPad was released in April, the best apps that emerged on that device did more than just configure to the new 9.7-inch screen size.
Flipboard is pioneering the concept of social media magazines, beautifully illustrating status updates and blogs posts from contacts in your network. Aweditorium brings back the old school concept of flipping through albums at the record store to the iPad.
More top non-game iPad apps of the year can be found here. And for a selection of the best magazines to make their way onto the iPad, don’t miss this our list of the most innovative magazine apps of 2010.
The iPad also appeals to casual and hardcore gamers alike. The best iPad games of 2010 (so really all-time) included Real Racing HD, Scrabble, and Madden 11 for iPad. More coverage of the best iPad games of 2010 can be found here.
These are the Android apps you’re looking for
At year-end, there were more than 200,000 Android apps available making Google’s mobile operating platform the story of the year in the app space. The best non-game Android apps of 2010 included Skyfire Web Browser 3.0, continual updates to Google Maps and the new and improved Facebook for Android. Read more of our selections here.
For gamers, Angry Birds took flight on Android devices in 2010. Robo Defense, MiniSquadron! and Reckless Racing were also apps that shined on this emerging mobile gaming platform.
Happy New Year, and Happy Downloading!
