The Best Apps of 2020 for Android and iOS
2020 saw some incredible new releases to our various app stores. From innovative workout apps that help even the busiest of people stay active, to breakout games taking the world by storm, get ready to hit download on our top picks for Android and iOS below.
Wakeout
Available on: iOS
Price: 7-day free trial, then £4.99 per month for full access.
Apple's official iPhone App of the Year for 2020, Wakeout was created by Andres Canella to help people workout anytime, anywhere. Designed with busy people in mind, you'll find a huge range of short 30-second exercises available on the app. You can try a one-off exercise based on your location, or create your own short or long routine that consists of 3 or more movements.
Wakeout will ask for your location, and then plan exercises based on your environment - it'll even take the space around you into consideration, and utilise equipment you're likely to have around you. For example, if you select your home you'll get to pick between locations like the bedroom, living room and kitchen. Before you know it, you'll be using pans in weight training, or resting on the sofa while doing mountain climbers.
Other options available on the app include the workplace - where people often suffer after sitting at a desk all day - restricted spaces like a car or an aeroplane, and outdoor locations like the beach or the park. Even when you feel limited, Wakeout will make sure you can always stay active.
Genshin Impact
Available on: Android, iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Almost breaking world records by bringing in approximately US$400 million in the first two months of its release, it's no surprise that both Google and Apple have crowned Genshin Impact as their game of the year for 2020. Created by Chinese video game developers miHoYo, Genshin Impact is a fantasy-themed, open-world RPG with an action-based battle system.
Load up the game, and you'll find yourself in the land of Teyvat, which is home to seven unique nations, each tied to one of the natural elements. The elements play a crucial part in the game, with the main storyline circulating around a twin known to you as the Traveller, who's searching for their lost sibling. A huge range of other playable characters become available along the journey, and you'll encounter everything from dragons and knights to other mythical creatures.
Genshin Impact is available on iOS and Android for free (with in-game purchases), and also on PC, PS4 and PS5 for anyone who wants to experience the game on a bigger screen. There are also plans to launch the game on Nintendo Switch in early 2021.
Loóna
Available on: Android, iOS
Price: Free with in-app purchases. Upgrades available for Loóna Plus.
Much more than your average sleep app, Loóna lets you quickly disconnect. Helping you to create the perfect mood for a good night's sleep, Loóna essentially focuses on calming the mind in a creative, enjoyable way.
Our brains have been proven to process negative emotions we experience during the day while we sleep, and it can often have a damaging effect on sleep quality. Sleep latency (the time it takes for us to fall asleep) can be impacted, as can sleep onset and REM sleep - and this is where Loóna comes in. Making sure you leave your negative thoughts and feelings behind; the app will present you with a unique 'sleepscape' every single night, which includes a guided session of activity-focused relaxation, storytelling and soothing sounds to help you drift off.
You'll quickly get lost in your sleepscape thanks to its captivating animations. The aim is complete your assigned sleepscape every single night, and before you know it restless nights will be a thing of the past.
Universe in a Nutshell
Available on: Android and iOS
Price: £2.99
A fascinating, educational app that promises hours of fun and learning, Universe in a Nutshell is one of the best 2020 releases, and available on both Android and iOS. No matter how old you are, it can be hard to wrap your head around just how big our world and the galaxies beyond it are, but this app helps you get to grips with it all through colourful, true-to-scale visuals.
From tiny particles undetectable with the human eye, to the Milky Way, you can swipe through a huge range of objects that exist in our universe and directly compare their size side-by-side. You can move along two scales (10^-35 metres to 10^26 metres) with your finger, and if you spot an object you want to learn more about, just tap on it. Each object included in Universe in a Nutshell is accompanied by an explanation about what is it, how it works, and you'll even find some fun facts along the way. Condensing thousands aof years of knowledge in a stunning, digestible app is no mean feat, but German-based Kurzgesagt have done it brilliantly.
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