Our favorite apps, books, and games of 2023

<p>Adobe closed out 2022 and celebrated 40 years with <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-buzz-is-gone-tech-companies-with-a-few-exceptions-are-reining-in-once-legendary-holiday-parties">an employee-only Katy Perry concert</a>. Related: Ceora makes the case for virtual concerts.</p><p>DeepMind is <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/alphabet-deepmind-ai-humanoids-soccer-camp/">teaching AI to play soccer</a>, which naturally makes us think of <a href="http://www.foddy.net/Athletics.html">QWOP</a>.</p><p>ICYMI: Ghost calls out Substack and <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33956300">Substack responds</a>.</p><p><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bereal-your-friends-for-real/id1459645446">BeReal</a> is the iPhone <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/11/app-store-awards-celebrate-the-best-apps-and-games-of-2022/">app of the year</a>. But not even Resident Youth Ceora knows anyone who actually uses it.</p><p>Some 2023 recommendations from the team: </p><p>Ceora recommends <a href="https://www.realworld.co/">Realworld</a> (not to be confused with BeReal), an app that guides you through tasks and decisions big and small, from deciding on health insurance to improving your credit.</p><p>Cassidy recommends <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/bird-by-bird-some-instructions-on-writing-and-life-anne-lamott/8649952"><i>Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life</i></a>, by Anne Lamott.</p><p>Matt suggests fellow side hustlers check out <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Freelance-Manifesto-Modern-Motion-Designer-ebook/dp/B071JRYMSG"><i>The Freelance Manifesto: A Field Guide for the Modern Motion Designer</i></a> by School of Motion founder Joey Korenman.</p><p>Ben recommends <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58784475-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow"><i>Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow</i></a>, a terrific novel about a love triangle between indie video game creators, especially fun if you grew up with Oregon Trail, Myst, and Super Mario. </p>