2020 may have been a year to forget for a multitude of reasons, it was a great year for technology, as the unprecedented lockdowns around the world gave rise to a new way of life and people adapted to a whole new level of virtual. 

As the pandemic went from bad to worse over the course of the year, we often turned to our favourite apps to either ease our qualms, connect with loved ones or just distract ourselves from all the bad news with some entertainment.

Here is a look at the five apps that kept us hooked in 2020:

  • Zoom Cloud Meetings
Photo Credit: Twitter/@zoom_us

Zoom exploded in popularity in 2020, as lockdowns around the world enforced the ‘work from home’ culture on most people. It was the most downloaded application on the Apple App Store and, according to a report by analytical firm, it was the fourth most downloaded app overall. The company’s stock has soared nearly 600% since the start of the year, as it became the most popular app for hosting meetings.

  • TikTok
Representative Image: Unsplash

The short video-sharing platform dethroned Facebook to become the most downloaded app of 2020, according to an App Annie report. Apart from giving us trending dance moves and creative transition videos, the app became a platform for self-expression and showcasing one’s talents. 

  • Disney + 
Photo Credit: Twitter/@Disney

The streaming platform Disney + had an amazing 2020, being the third-most downloaded app of the year on the Apple App Store and winning the users’ choice award for both Apple and Google. Their biggest hit of the year was undoubtedly the second season of ‘The Mandalorian’, a live-action series from the ‘Star Wars’ universe which has earned rave reviews from both fans and critics. 

  • Calm
Photo Credit: Twitter@calm

Mental health often goes neglected but 2020 has underscored the need to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. With all the stress and anxiety surrounding us, it has become very important to keep our emotions in check and the Calm app provides a range of services to do just that, from sleep stories to guided meditations. 

  • Among Us
Photo Credit: Twitter/@AmongUsGame

The mystery game Among Us witnessed exponential growth in the year 2020, amassing over a hundred million downloads on the google Play Store. According to market research firm SuperData, it became the “most popular game ever in terms of monthly players” in the month of November, with over 500 million players across platforms. It was also the second-most played game of 2020 on the cloud-based gaming service Steam.