FREE AND EASY

Many of the big hitters feature in Apple’s list of the top free-to-download apps, with the most notable change being YouTube jumping from number three in 2017 to the top spot this year. Snapchat and Bitmoji, last year’s top two, have both fallen away slightly (dropping to two and five respectively), while Messenger , at three, just slightly outranks Facebook, at four, with Netflix, Google Maps, Gmail and Spotify Music making up the top 10.

Notably, YouTube Kids has made the top 10 of the free-to-download apps for the iPad. Providing families with a reassuring alternative to the regular version, and with no compromise in Internet safety for the young user, this app is the first ‘child friendly’ option to hit any of the main top 10 categories in Apple’s app awards this year.

ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION

Also faring fantastically this year were several apps designed specifically to help users to organize and personalize their plans. Notability and GoodNotes 4 ranked highly in the Productivity charts this year, providing users with unique ways of recording plans, annotating photos and scheduling events, using only the swipe of a finger or stylus.