These days, there’s an app for just about everything. Every time you think, “there should be an app for that,” a tech-savvy friend informs you that one (or several) already exists. Need to hire a last minute dog walker? There’s an app for that. Need to meditate after a long day at work? There’s a whole list of apps that’ll get you in the mood. Need to keep track of every single place you’ve ever used the restroom? There’s an app for that too, and it’s called "Place to Poo.”
Many of our favourite apps are made right here on home soil. To spotlight Canadian app developers, Apple helped us round up a few of the fan favourites.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Halifax
WHAT IT DOES: Since Reddit was founded in 2005, the user-generated interface remains relatively the same and never felt that great, that is, until Apollo for Reddit was created by Halifax native, Christian Selig. Apollo for Reddit gives a smoother, user-friendly look and feel, complete with a “supercharged” media viewer supporting a wide array of sources.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Montreal
WHAT IT DOES: The official app of National Film Board of Canada offers more than 4,000 films for viewers of all ages, including a kids channel with fun and educational content. Films can also be downloaded to watch offline on iPhone, iPad or Apple TV for up to 48 hours later. Free.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Montreal
WHAT IT DOES: In tandem with the latest Jurassic World movie, Montreal’s powerhouse gaming studio Ludia launched Jurassic World Alive, an awe-inspiring augmented reality (AR) experience that leverages Apple’s ARKit to help users discover and collect dinosaurs in their surroundings.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Montreal
WHAT IT DOES: Created 10 years ago after one of the co-founders in Sherbrooke suffered from insomnia and sought an app that helps people sleep. Today, Relax Melodies is helping millions around the word get a better night’s sleep, relax and meditate with sounds of rain, thunder, animals and even mix sounds to find the perfect “lullaby.”
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Toronto
WHAT IT DOES: CBC brings hundreds of shows on demand and allows live streaming of news and sports. CBC Gem is home to popular titles such as Schitt’s Creek, Kim’s Convenience and even live celebratory coverage of Canada’s 152nd birthday from Parliament Hill in Ottawa (check local listings).
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Toronto
WHAT IT DOES: Oh She Glows is created by Oakville’s New York Times bestselling author Angela Liddon, who brings her popular plant-based recipes from her award-winning blog.
WHAT IT COSTS: $2.99
WHERE IT’S FROM: Toronto
WHAT IT DOES: Award-winning kids games perfect for preschoolers to use their imaginations as they travel around the whimsical Sago Mini World with Harvey, Jinja, Robin and Jack.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Toronto
WHAT IT DOES: Created by a husband and wife duo, indie game studio Benjamin Rivers is releasing Worse Than Death on Canada’s birthday, July 1. It tells the scary, emotional thriller about a high school reunion gone horribly wrong. The artwork in the game was drawn and coloured entirely on iPad by the studio.
WHAT IT COSTS: $5.49
WHERE IT’S FROM: Toronto
WHAT IT DOES: An Apple Design Award Winner in 2018, Snowman introduces Alto’s Odyssey, an endless sandboarding journey where Alto and his friends soar above windswept dunes, traverse thrilling canyons and explore long-hidden temples.
WHAT IT COSTS: $6.99
WHERE IT’S FROM: London
WHAT IT DOES: An epic battle game by Tiny Titan Studios brings a band of skilled warriors users collect to assemble teams and battle others and play in leagues to earn spots on the leaderboards.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Saskatoon
WHAT IT DOES: Noodlecake Studios introduces a whole new way to golf on wildly creative courses and power ups to play friends or others to reach the top of the clubhouse.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Vancouver
WHAT IT DOES: A strategy and battle game by A Thinking Ape where players build their own kingdoms, train dragons and attack goblins, skeletons and more.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Vancouver
WHAT IT DOES: An Apple Design Award Winner in 2017, RAC7 splits worlds with the swipe of a finger to rearrange screens and help guide critters back to their spaceship.
WHAT IT COSTS: $3.99.
WHERE IT’S FROM: Vancouver
WHAT IT DOES: A colourful brain-teaser by Korigame where players fling the floppy body upwards and avoid pesky and sometimes dangerous objects to reach out of harm’s way.
WHAT IT COSTS: Free on the App Store.
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