Every year, Apple recognizes the App Store’s best apps and games.

The winners are chosen by the App Store's editorial team, which takes into account “exceptional quality,” innovative technology, creative design and positive cultural impact.

That's why I was completely nonplussed by the iPhone App of the Year.

I won't spoil it, but say whaaaaaaaaaat???

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Carrot Weather, 'Fantasian' and more pick up 2021 App Store Awards — www.cultofmac.com

Apple also identified “Connection” as the Trend of the Year, thanks to games like Among Us! and apps like Bumble, which "brought people together in meaningful ways — while meeting social, personal, and professional needs."

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit claiming App Store is a monopoly — www.cultofmac.com

The makers of Coronavirus Reporter sued Cupertino for rejecting their title from the App Store. But U.S. District Judge Edward Chen's 34-page ruling says the developers’ arguments “failed to pass muster.”

Scott Forstall told Pandora to jailbreak iPhone to build a native app — www.cultofmac.com

The former Apple senior vice president allegedly gave Pandora an odd tip for getting a head start on building a music-streaming app.

You’ll be seeing double with this portable touchscreen monitor for MacBook and more — www.cultofmac.com

An extra screen on your workstation can do loads to boost your productivity and entertainment. The Desklab Portable Touchscreen Monitor is a plug-and-play screen for your laptop. And now this portable 4K touchscreen monitor is on sale for just $231.99 (regularly $700) with coupon code CMSAVE20.

Get speedy iPhone top-ups with Nomad’s new 30W USB-C charger and Sport Cables — www.cultofmac.com

If you’re tired of the meh charging speeds you’re currently getting for your iPhone and other gadgets, you might consider Nomad’s pair of new products.

Use Mac as external display for PC with Luna Display update — www.cultofmac.com

Luna Display 5.1 adds the ability to use any Mac as a wireless second display for a PC. And that’s just one of the new features in the update, which also adds support for using a 4K or 5K computer as a second screen.

Get an exclusive discount on this great-looking slimline AirTag wallet — www.cultofmac.com

If you want to keep tabs on your credit cards and cash with one of Apple’s new wireless trackers, consider the Snapback Slim Air — a slender leather wallet with a pocket on the side for an AirTag. Now in a new color!

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One more thing ...

"Steve Jobs didn't really set the direction of my Apple I and Apple II designs but he did the more important part of turning them into a product that would change the world." -- Steve Wozniak