Ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) starting 5 June, Apple has today announced the 36 finalists for this year's Apple Design Awards; and it's great to see that in the running for the Inclusivity category are a number of apps which will be familiar to many in our community.
The awards honor excellence in innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement in app and game design. This year, Apple is dividing the finalists into six different categories: Inclusivity, Delight and Fun, Interaction, Social Impact, Visuals and Graphics, and Innovation.
Amongst the past winners is Blackbox,, a puzzle game which won an Apple Design Award in 2017 for its accessibility, uniqueness, game play, and innovations, while Be My Eyes and Voice Dream Reader were winners in 2021.
Apple says that finalists in the Inclusivity category “provide a great experience for all by supporting people from a diversity of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.” The following apps are shortlisted in this category:
- Anne: a deaf-blind gateway to the outside world powered by Morse code and iPhone haptics. Anne is completely powered by gestures and vibrations so you don't have to even look at the screen while you are using it. Powered by the International Morse Code, you can type and transmit your messages to the people out there, with a combination of just Dots (or Dits) and Lines (or Dahs). And vice versa is even possible.
- Universe — Website Builder: a website builder that lets you choose a domain and set up shop in minutes. Universe’s Grid Editor helps you build full-featured websites and stores without any code. All of Universe’s content blocks ‘Snap to Grid’ for a simple, tactile builder experience that feels like play. Universe says that it is accessible to all makers, “with VoiceOver and haptic touch baked in.”
- Passenger Assistance: An app for disabled people and their carers to request assistance for rail travel in Great Britain. Organise assisted train travel from one easy-to-use app. Input your accessibility requirements and receive travel information.
- Stitch: a casual puzzle game with embroidery on a numbered grid. The main objective is to fill in the levels' areas with no gaps to complete Hoops. Stitch offers a range of accessibility features: the “Number Outlines” feature creates sharper and more contrasted outlines for the numbers on the grid to help color blindness or the visually impaired; the “Reduce Motion” feature disables all sudden movements and animations; and the “Big Numbers” feature increases the size of the numbers of the grid for better visibility.
- Ancient Board Game Collection: have you ever heard of Hnefatafl, a game played during the Viking Age? Or Latrunculi, popular over 2000 years ago in ancient Rome? Discover these games and many more in the "Ancient Board Game Collection". Fully Accessible via VoiceOver and Voice Control and with high Contrast Game Boards for people with low vision.
- Finding Hannah: an enchanting hidden object game that takes players on a captivating journey of self-discovery. In this modern app, users dive into the lives of three generations of women—Hannah, her mother Sigrid, and her grandmother Eva. As players explore beautifully crafted scenes, they uncover hidden objects and unravel the unique stories of each character.
Other Finalists
Delight and Fun
Finalists in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences that are enhanced by Apple technologies.
- Duolingo - Language Lessons
- CREME: It’s Time to Cook
- Chantlings
- Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On
- Knotwords
- Afterplace
Interaction
Finalists in this category deliver intuitive interfaces and effortless controls that are perfectly tailored to their platform.
- Shuffles by Pinterest
- Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
- Flighty – Live Flight Tracker
- Automatoys
- Railbound
- Kimono Cats
Social Impact
Finalists in this category improve lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.
- Duolingo - Language Lessons
- Sago Mini First Words
- Headspace: Mindful Meditation
- Hindsight Game
- Endling
- Beecarbonize
Visuals and Graphics
Finalists in this category feature stunning imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and high-quality animations that lend to a distinctive and cohesive theme.
- Any Distance - Workout Tracker
- Gentler Streak Health Fitness
- Video Effects Enhancer | Riveo
- Diablo Immortal
- Resident Evil Village
- Endling
Innovation
Finalists in this category provide a state-of-the-art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.
- SwingVision: A.I. Tennis App
- Camo Studio
- Rise: Energy & Sleep Tracker
- Resident Evil Village
- Stitch
- MARVEL SNAP
The winners will be revealed during WWDC23. Our congratulations and best wishes go to all of the shortlisted developers.