In a highly anticipated annual announcement, The Digital Insight has secured exclusive details on Google’s “Best of Play” awards for 2025. This year, the tech giant crowned Focus Friend as the Best Overall App and Pokémon TCG Pocket as the Best Overall Game, marking a pivotal year for digital innovation. The comprehensive list of winners highlights a clear shift in user demand toward utility-focused, gamified productivity tools and console-quality, cross-platform gaming experiences.
The selections underscore two major industry themes of the year: the increasing prevalence of AI and a user expectation for seamless performance across all form factors, including phones, tablets, and desktop PCs.
Best App: Productivity Gets Personal
The top award for Best App went to Focus Friend, a gamified focus timer developed by Hank Green. The app resonated with users by blending practical distraction reduction with emotional engagement, where user focus sessions directly influence the well-being and virtual environment of a cute “Bean Friend” avatar. This victory signifies a major trend away from purely utilitarian software toward apps that support personal growth through playful, habit-building mechanics.
In the crucial multi-device category, Luminar: Photo Editor won Best Multi-device App, recognized for its AI-powered suite of creative tools that provide a consistent and powerful editing workflow, whether users are on a smartphone or a desktop.
Best Game: Depth and Cross-Platform Dominance
The Best Game award went to Pokémon TCG Pocket, which successfully translated the complexity and joy of the iconic physical Trading Card Game into an accessible, visually rich mobile format. Editors noted that the game delivered an authentic experience with well-designed effects that captured the tactile feel of collecting and battling.
The multi-device gaming space was dominated by Disney Speedstorm, which was named Best Multi-device Game. The hero-based kart racer was lauded for its high performance and responsive controls, which were meticulously optimized for perfect play across Android phones, tablets, and PC—cementing cross-progression as a must-have feature for major titles.
Other notable game winners included Disco Elysium (Best Story) and Wuthering Waves (Best Ongoing), suggesting that players continue to prioritize rich narrative and sustained, high-quality live service content.
The Full Roster of Excellence
The awards spanned several critical categories, reflecting diverse user needs across the platform:
| Category | App Winner | Game Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best Multi-device | Luminar: Photo Editor | Disney Speedstorm |
| Best for Personal Growth | Focus Friend by Hank Green | N/A |
| Best Everyday Essential | Wiser — 15 Minute Audio Books | N/A |
| Best for Families | ABCmouse 2: Kids Learning Game | N/A |
| Best for Large Screens | Goodnotes: Notes, docs, PDF | N/A |
| Best Indie | N/A | Chants of Sennaar |
| Best Multiplayer | N/A | Dunk City Dynasty |
Favorite Reads of the Year
Google’s editorial picks for books of 2025 included a strong selection across fiction and non-fiction, highlighting:
- Favorite Fantasy: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
- Favorite Thriller: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
- Favorite Memoir: This American Woman by Zarna Garg
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