Apple reveals its Best Of 2018 in apps, music, movies, TV shows, books and podcasts

Apple has just released its extensive list on the best of 2018 and have published top charts and selections from its editors across every category including apps, music, movies, TV shows and podcasts.

And Australians have figured prominently in all categories.

Three of the eight apps chosen as Global Picks by the Apple editorial team are Australian.

In the music section, 5 Seconds of Summer’s album Youngblood was the most streamed Australian album of the year.

Best Apps of 2018

Global Picks — Editorially Selected by Apple:

– iPhone App of the year – Procreate Pocket (Australian – developed in Tasmania)
– iPhone Game of the year – Donut County
– iPad App of the year – Froggipedia
– iPad Game of the year – Gorogoa
– Mac App of the year – Pixelmator Pro
– Mac Game of the year – The Gardens Between (Australian – developed in Melbourne)
– Apple TV App of the year – Sweat (Australian – developed in Adelaide)
– Apple TV Game of the year – Alto’s Odyssey

Most Downloaded Free iPhone Apps in 2018:

1. Instagram
2. Messenger
3. Facebook
4. Spotify Music
5. YouTube
6. Snapchat
7. WhatsApp Messenger
8. Google Maps
9. Netflix
10. Bitmoji
11. Uber Eats
12. Uber
13. Gmail
14. Wish
15. CommBank
16. ANZ Australia
17. Gumtree
18. Microsoft Outlook
19. Google Chrome
20. eBay

Most Downloaded PaId iPhone Apps in 2018:

1. TripView
2. The Wonder Weeks
3. WikiCamps Australia
4. kirakira+
5. Facetune
6. PlantSnap Plant Identification
7. Monash University FODMAP diet
8. Forest – Stay focused
9. Afterlight 2
10. 1 Second Everyday: Video Diary
11. Rain Parrot
12. AutoSleep Tracker for Watch
13. My Talking Pet Pro
14. TouchRetouch
15. CamToPlan PRO
16. Glitché
17. Pocket Secure
18. Photo Scanner Plus
19. 7 Minute Workout Challenge
20. SkyView – Explore the Universe

Most Downloaded Free iPhone Games in 2018:

1. Fortnite
2. Helix Jump
3. Hole.io
4. Rise Up
5. PUBG MOBILE
6. Love Balls
7. Word Link – Word Puzzle Game
8. Snake VS Block
9. Subway Surfers
10. Sling Drift
11. Wordscapes
12. Knife Hit
13. Episode – Choose Your Story
14. Dune!
15. Baseball Boy!
16. Candy Crush Saga
17. Happy Glass
18. 8 Ball Pool
19. Hello Stars
20. Sniper 3D Assassin: Gun Games

Most Downloaded Paid iPhone Games in 2018:

1. Plague Inc.
2. Heads Up!
   3. Minecraft
   4. Bloons TD 6
   5. Pocket Build
   6. Bloons TD 5
   7. Sunday Lawn
   8. Earn to Die 2
   9. Hitman Sniper
   10. True Skate
   11. Geometry Dash
   12. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!
   13. Monument Valley 2
   14. Getting Over It
   15. The Room: Old Sins
   16. The Game of Life
   17. hocus.
   18. Terraria
   19. Doodle Jump
   20. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
   Most Downloaded Free iPad Apps in 2018:
   1. Netflix
   2. YouTube
   3. Messenger
   4. Spotify Music
   5. Facebook
   6. Google Chrome
   7. Gmail
   8. 7plus
   9. 9Now
   10. The Calculator
   11. Microsoft Word
   12. Google Maps
   13. ABC iview
   14. Wish
   15. YouTube Kids
   16. SBS On Demand
   17. Stan.
   18. Google Drive
   19. Google Earth
   20. Sandbox Coloring
   Most Downloaded PaId iPad Apps in 2018:
   1. Procreate
   2. Book Creator for iPad
   3. Notability
   4. GoodNotes 4
   5. WikiCamps Australia
   6. Explain Everything Whiteboard
   7. Green Screen by Do Ink
   8. Toca Life: Pets
   9. Popplet
   10. Toca Life: After School
   11. GoodReader
   12. Duet Display
   13. Toca Hair Salon 3
   14. MyScript Nebo
   15. Toca Life: Office
   16. Toca Kitchen 2
   17. PDF Expert by Readdle
   18. Toca Life: Hospital
   19. Toca Lab: Elements
   20. PicCollage EDU – Collage Maker
   Most Downloaded Free iPad Games in 2018:
   1. Fortnite
   2. Helix Jump
   3. ROBLOX
   4. Love Balls
   5. Hole.io
   6. Color by Number Coloring Game!
   7. Kick the Buddy
   8. Rise Up
   9. Bowmasters – Multiplayer Game
   10. Subway Surfers
   11. Snake VS Block
   12. slither.io
   13. Happy Glass
   14. Run Sausage Run!
   15. PUBG MOBILE
   16. Toon Blast
   17. Rules of Survival
   18. Cooking Fever
   19. Pixel Art – Color by Number
   20. Paper.io
   Most Downloaded Paid iPad Games in 2018:
   1. Minecraft
   2. Geometry Dash
   3. Terraria
   4. Plague Inc.
   5. The Escapists: Prison Escape
   6. Bloons TD 6
   7. Goat Simulator
   8. Bloons TD 5 HD
   9. True Skate
   10. Five Nights at Freddy’s
   11. LEGO Jurassic World
   12. The Room: Old Sins
   13. The Game of Life
   14. Goat Simulator PAYDAY
   15. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Sister Location
   16. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
   17. Teen Titans Go! Figure
   18. Heads Up!
   19. Pocket Build
   20. Monument Valley 2

Best Music of 2018

Most Streamed Songs in Australia

— Post Malone’s ‘I Fall Apart’ raced up the charts to become the most streamed song on Apple Music in 2018 after a live version went viral at the end of 2017.
— Post Malone had a huge year with 5 songs in the Top 20.
— 5 Second of Summer’s ‘Youngblood’ is the most streamed Australia song of the year, coming in at #2 on the charts just behind Post Malone.
— Dean Lewis has the second most streamed Australian song of the year with ‘Be Alright.’

1. I Fall Apart, Post Malone
   2. Youngblood, 5 Seconds of Summer
   3. God’s Plan, Drake
   4. rockstar (feat. 21 Savage), Post Malone
   5. Meant to Be, Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
   6. Let You Down, NF
   7. Havana (feat. Young Thug), Camila Cabello
   8. Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign), Post Malone
   9. These Days (feat. Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen), Rudimental
   10. Silence (feat. Khalid), Marshmello
   11. All The Stars, Kendrick Lamar & SZA
   12. Be Alright, Dean Lewis
   13. Perfect, Ed Sheeran
   14. Candy Paint, Post Malone
   15. The Middle, Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
   16. Better Now, Post Malone
   17. River (feat. Ed Sheeran), Eminem
   18. IDGAF, Dua Lipa
   19. I Said Hi, Amy Shark
   20. Nice For What, Drake

   Most Streamed Albums in Australia

— Despite being released in March 2017, Ed Sheeran’s album ÷ not only topped the charts in 2017, but is also the most streamed album of 2018.

— Not only is Post Malone’s new album ‘beerbongs & bentleys’ the second most listened to album of the year on Apple Music, but his previous album ‘Stoney’ came in at #4.

— The Greatest Showman soundtrack is the 3rd most streamed album on Apple Music – a favourite for the whole family, this soundtrack raced up the charts straight after the release of the film on Boxing Day 2017.

— 5 Second of Summer’s album ‘Youngblood’ is the most-streamed Australian album of the year.

1. ÷ (Deluxe), Ed Sheeran
2. beerbongs & bentleys, Post Malone
3. The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Various Artists
4. Stoney, Post Malone
5. Scorpion, Drake
6. ?, XXXTENTACION
7. Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By, Kendrick Lamar,The Weeknd & SZA
8. reputation, Taylor Swift
9. Evolve, Imagine Dragons
10. American Teen, Khalid
11. Dua Lipa, Dua Lipa
12. Beautiful Trauma, P!nk
13. Youngblood, 5 Seconds of Summer
14. Baby Lullaby: Relaxing Piano Lullabies and Natural Sleep Aid for Baby Sleep Music, Einstein Baby Lullaby Academy
15. 17, XXXTENTACION
16. Heartbreak on a Full Moon, Chris Brown
17. The Thrill of It All, Sam Smith
18. Revival, Eminem
19. Shawn Mendes, Shawn Mendes
20. DAMN., Kendrick Lamar

Apple Music Best of 2018 – Editorially selected by Apple

Artist of the year: Drake

Breakout Artist of the Year: Juice WRLD

Song of the Year: I Like It – Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny & J. Balvin

Album of the Year: Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves

Best Podcasts of 2018

Australian podcasting becomes bigger, more interesting and increasingly innovative every year. For proof, look no further than this list. From offbeat comedies (Alice Fraser Trilogy) and guilty pleasure shows…about guilty pleasures (Shameless) to the best in science and social issues (Australian Birth Stories, Science Friction), these podcasts will make you laugh, cry, think and learn. Explore our personal favourites and shows that topped our charts.

Best Australian Podcasts of 2018 – Editorially Selected by Apple:
1. The Alice Fraser Triology by ABC
2. The Squiz Podcast by The Squiz
3. Is It On? by BuzzFeed Australia
4. Chat 10 Looks 3 by Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb
5. Lady Startup by Mamamia
6. Dispatch to a Friend by Gillian Bell & Annabelle Hickson
7. Science Friction by ABC National Radio
8. Ask Me Anything by Mamamia
9. Please Explain by The Age and SMH
10. Teacher’s Pet by The Australian
11. Totally Obsessed by Dan Debuf
12. Deep Listening by Oscar Trimboli
13. Cher and Retweet by Lipp Media
14. The Betoota Advocate Podcast by The Betoota Advocate
15. Healthy-ish by myBody+Soul Podcasts
16. Story Club by Giant Dwarf
17. Shirtloads of Science by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
18. Crappy to Happy by PodcastOne Australia
19. The Prospectives by Adam Hurly
20. Australian Birth Stories by Sophie Walker: Childbirth and Pregnancy Blogger
21. Shameless by Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews

Most Downloaded Podcast Shows of 2018: (Australian listeners)
1. ABC Radio:Conversations
2. The Joe Rogan Experience
3. TED Talks Daily
4. Stuff You Should Know
5. Casefile Ture Crime
6. The Teacher’s Pet
7. Hamish & Andy
8. Kate, Tim, & Marty
9. Hack (triple j)
10. The Daily (The New York Times)
11. Australian True Crime
12. My Favorite Murder
13. Global News Podcast
14. Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations
15. My Dad Wrote a Porno
16. This American Life
17. All In the Mind (ABC)
18. The GaryVee Audio Experience
19. Freakonomics Radio
20. Serial
21. RN Breakfast
22. Mamamia Out Loud
23. The Tim Ferriss Show
24. No Filter
25. Dr Karl on triple j

Most Downloaded Podcast Shows that Launched in 2018: (Australian listeners)
1. The Teacher’s Pet
2. Unravel True Crime
3. The Betoota Advocate
4. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
5. Russia, If You’re Listening
6. The Sunday Triple M NRL Catch Up — Paul Kent, Gordon Tallis, Ryan Girdler, Anthony Maroon
7. The Signal (ABC)
8. The Pineapple Project
9. Caliphate
10. Dr Death
11. Crawf & Hirdy – We Talk Football
12. The Health Code
13. Talk is Jericho
14. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears Edition
15. The Rush Hour with MG
16. Wrong Skin
17. Jase & PJ
18. Conspiracy Theories
19. Today, Explained
20. Death in Ice Valley
21. Fierce Girls
22. The goop Podcast
23. Business Wars
24. The Hub (ABC)
25. Mafia

Best Movies & TV Shows of 2018

One hundred bags of popcorn and many sleepless nights later, we’ve finally decided on our favourite movies of 2018. In “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga sang their way into our hearts; the special effects of superhero extravaganza “Avengers: Infinity War” were a delight for the eyes, and we were terrified beyond belief in the John Krasinski-directed horror, “A Quiet Place”.

Best Movies of 2018 – Editorially selected by Apple 

1. A Quiet Place
2. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
3. Avengers: Infinity War
4. Hereditary
5. A Star Is Born
6. Leave No Trace
7. Incredibles 2
8. The Death of Stalin
9. Lady Bird
10. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Best TV Shows of 2018 – Editorially selected by Apple 

1. Killing Eve
2. The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel
3. The Assassination of Gianni Versace
4. The Handmaid’s Tale
5. The Americans
6. Barry
7. Atlanta
8. Sharp Objects
9. Patrick Melrose
10. Better Call Saul

Best Books of 2018

Most Popular Fiction Books 

1. Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty
2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Heather Morris
3. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
4. The Woman in the Window, A. J. Finn
5. Still Me, Jojo Moyes
6. The Next Girl, Carla Kovach
7. Red Sparrow, Jason Matthews
8. Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan
9. The Silent Corner, Dean Koontz
10. The Last Dance, Fiona McIntosh

Most Popular Non-Fiction Books 

1. The Barefoot Investor, Scott Pape
2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson
3. Fire and Fury, Michael Wolff
4. 12 Rules for Life, Jordan B. Peterson
5. Working Class Boy [Film Tie-in edition], Jimmy Barnes
6. The Trauma Cleaner, Sarah Krasnostein
7. Fear, Bob Woodward
8. Save Our Sleep, Tizzie Hall
9. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Holly Ringland
10. The Clever Guts Diet, Michael Mosley