Google has at long last announced the nominees for the 2019 Google Play Store Awards — its annual shindig for celebrating the developers behind the most innovative, well-rounded applications available on Android.
There are a number of well-known titles on the list, as well as an abundance of lesser-known ones. But that’s the beauty; the aim is to spread word about the independent applications that may have slipped through the cracks, listing them alongside the high-budget heavyweights.
Before we dive deep into the list, however, we should highlight some of the prolific nominees. First off, we have Gameloft’s Asphalt 9: Legends, which was nominated to take home the title of Most Beautiful Game, followed by Envision AI for Best Accessibility Experience, Plantix for Best Social Impact, Pluto TV for Best Living Room Experience, Tick Tock for Most Inventive, Canva for Standout Build for Billions, Notion for Best Breakthrough App and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery for Best Breakthrough Game.
Other notable nominees are Badland Brawl for Most Beautiful Game, TintVision for Best Accessibility Experience, Wisdo for Best Social Impact, Tubi for Best Living Room Experience, Firework for Most Incentive, Cookpad for Standout Build for Billions, Tasty for Best Breakthrough App and Old School RuneScape for Best Breakthrough Game. There are, of course, also a number of underdogs in the mix, including RaceTogether! for Best Accessibility Experience and Chuchel for Most Beautiful Game.
Google will announce the winners at an event in Mountfain View, California on May 6. Our most eagle-eyed readers will be aware that’s the day before Google I/O 2019 is scheduled to kick off, and that’s no coincidence — the Google Play Store Awards have taken place on the eve of the event for as long as they’ve been going. It’s a smart move, though. The ceremony sets the mood for Google I/O 2019, acting as a fantastic chance for those on the ground to mingle in a casual, alcohol-filled environment.
Wait! What’s Google I/O?
Google I/O is Big G’s annual developer conference. It’s scheduled to run from May 6 through May 9. It’s unclear what the firm will showcase at the gathering, though rumor-spinners have speculated that it could use it as a chance to the third beta of Android Q, while also shedding light on its Stadia real-time game-streaming platform. Chrome OS, Google Assistant, Google Chrome and Google Duplex are said to have some stage time as well — though it’s unclear what Google has in store for them.
Earlier this week, Google started rolling out an update its Google I/O client for Android. The release bundles a number of changes, including the option to add individual events to your personal calendar, in order to receive notifications before they start; as well as the facility to search through content by sessions, topics and speakers, making it easier than ever to find sessions to attend. But chances are, if you forked out $1,150 for a ticket, you’re going to know what you want to do, see and achieve.
For the full list of all the nominees for the 2019 Google Play Store Awards, head over to Google’s website.