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As well as looking ahead to 2018, ’tis also the season to look back and reflect on the year that has passed.

In the tech world, advances happen so rapidly that a year can seem like a lifetime. But here’s a roundup of the best Apple apps in 2017

Calm

As more and more people place greater importance on their mental wellbeing, mindfulness has become increasingly popular. It should perhaps be of no surprise then that the editors at the App Store have selected Calm, with a five-star rating and more than 55,000 reviews, as the best iPhone app of 2017.

The free app focuses on mindfulness and meditation, with sessions available in lengths ranging from three minutes to 25, and topics include managing stress, happiness, and deep sleep.

Recommended by psychologists and mental health experts, the app also features breathing programmes, relaxing music, and Sleep Stories.

If you want to make wellbeing a priority in 2018, download the Calm app!

IKEA Place

AR was identified as one of four breakout trends that emerged in app culture this year. For this reason, IKEA Place was another app that was chosen by the App Store editors.

This app uses ARKit to enable potential customers to virtually ‘place’ IKEA products in their home to get a feel for whether they would fit or work in that space. You can even share on WhatsApp to get second opinions.

Bitmoji

Among the top free iPhone apps was Bitmoji. This app lets users create their own unique, expressive cartoon avatar that can then be used in Snapchat, iMessage, Slack or in other chat spaces.

Users will have a wide library of stickers to choose from to make sure their Bitmoji is truly personal.

As of April this year, Bitmoji was the number one most-downloaded app in the US, UK, France, Canada and Australia.

Splitter Critters

Taking the title of 2017 iPhone Game of the Year was Splitter Critters. With immersive soundscapes for each world, Splitter Critters brings together colourful planets, challenging puzzles and innovative mechanics as users split and rearrange the world to guide the critters back to their spaceship.

According to the iTunes App Store, the most recent update has brought 18 new levels, new critters, new planets, and new game mechanics.

Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo won the accolade of Best Apple Mac App of the Year in 2015, and this year the editors have named it the 2017 iPad App of the Year.

Whether you want the best photos for your Instagram or need professional photo editing software for work, Affinity Photo is the app for you.

While it might be a little pricey, Affinity Photo provides users with all they need to edit, enhance and retouch their images, all whilst being incredibly easy to use – especially on the move.

How many of these apps had you downloaded already? Which ones are you tempted to get now?