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Apple unveiled its Best of 2016 apps earlier this week, and included everything from MSQRD’s very cool face filters, to Detour’s guided walking tours of interesting cities, and, of course, Vogue’s up-to-the-minute digest. And so what better time to weigh in on what we found to be the most crucial apps of 2016? And so we decided to make our own list for your downloading pleasure. Without further ado, the essential apps of 2016:
Signal (iPhone and Android, free)
An encrypted messaging app used by politicians, businesspeople, and whistleblowers worldwide, Signal works with your existing list of contacts (as long as you both have it installed) and offers complete end-to-end encryption, meaning even the company can’t see what you’re talking about.
Prisma (iPhone and Android, free)
It’s never been easier to impress your friends and liven up your selfies—Prisma turns any photo into a work of art, with styles that skew from anime to pointillist.
NYT Cooking (iPhone, free)
The New York Times’s Cooking newsletter has grown to become something of a source of comfort to our editors seeking both culinary advice and a bit of escape from this year’s onslaught of bad news. The app version doesn’t quite have the soothing charm of Sam Sifton’s emails, but it offers great, searchable recipes; beautiful photos; and the ability to save recipes from around the web to make later.
DEED (iPhone, free)
DEED follows through on its slogan to “do something good today,” by making volunteering easy, fun, and social, allowing you to explore local, high-impact opportunities to give back to your community.
Meditation Studio (iPhone, $4)
This app gathers curated collections of guided meditations with step-by-step instruction to create personalized, pressure-off sessions to help you clear your mind.
Tayasui Sketches (iPhone and Android, free)
Maybe you’re an artist, maybe you need to distract your kids; if you could use a pen and paper—but instead only have an iPhone—Tayasui Sketches is for you. (We love the variety of pen nibs they offer, too. It’s almost like the real thing. Almost!)
Print Studio (iPhone and Android, free)
The best way to bring your favorite iPhone and Instagram photos to life, Print Studio will make old-fashioned contact sheets, photo-booth strips, photo books, or wood-framed prints.
NPR One (iPhone and Android, free)
Has real, trusted news ever felt so urgent? NPR One thoughtfully curates stories and featured shows and gives you a whole new way to listen to NPR and your local public-radio station.
Vogue (iTunes, free)
The only fashion app you’ll ever need. And that’s saying something.