[gallery] The App Store continued its strong growth in October with 23,572 brand new iPhone, iPod touch and iPad apps introduced. Also adding to the Apple's App Store count were 584 new Mac apps. Through a process combining qualitative and quantitative factors, we've identified the best from the bunch. You may have heard of some, downloaded a few and will hopefully discover a few surprises. Clicking on a blue app title will take you to the App Store so you can learn more about the app and to download it. The first section is comprised of the best apps we found for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The second section is for the best Mac apps released in October.

iPhone, iPod touch & iPad Apps

7 Billion by National Geographic Society (News, iPad, FREE). “FREE – Limited Time! National Geographic magazine presents 7 Billion: How your world will change -- to coincide with the arrival of the 7 billionth human being to our world. This app explores the challenges of a growing human population in a world of limited resources with informative videos, interactive maps, in-depth articles, and stunning photography.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc4HxPxNrZ0&feature=player_embedded 7 Billion trailer

AddictingGames by Nickelodeon (Games, iPhone, FREE): "Put a bunch of AddictingGames in your pocket. One FREE download delivers tons of ridiculously fun games straight to your device. For the first time on mobile, get online hits like Spite Cannon Reloaded, Feed the Panda and 20 other great games from the AddictingGames catalog."

AirPort Utility by Apple (Utilities, Universal, FREE): "Use AirPort Utility to manage your Wi-Fi network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule — right from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch."

Anthill: Tactical Trail Defense by Image and Form International (Games, Universal, $1.99): “Join the ranks of Anthill, a strategy game based on the real-world behavior of ants. The award-winning user interface enables you to draw pheromone trails to direct your troops, moving streams of ants rather than individuals. Engage in the mission to protect your hill as wave upon wave of enemy bugs are thrown at you. Don’t wait, join the colony today!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJb0OT5LO30&feature=player_embedded Anthill: Tactical Trail Defense trailer

Assassin’s Creed Rearmed by Ubisoft (Games, iPhone, FREE): “Rearm your blade: Assassin’s Creed innovative multiplayer is now mobile! Exclusively designed for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Fuel your gaming needs with this innovative Assassin’s Creed experience..”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JraIEAYwZKE&feature=player_detailpage Assassin's Creed Rearmed trailer

Astrid To-Do by Todoroo (Productivity, iPhone, FREE): “Try Astrid, a simple but powerful to-do list that helps individuals and groups collaborate, get stuff done, and have more fun!” Bike Baron by Mountain Sheep (Games, Universal, $0.99). “What happens when you put the developers of Minigore, Death Rally and Aqua Globs together with the composer of Angry Birds and Trine? PURE MAGIC. Bike Baron is a ride you will never forget!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3itiesm-B8&feature=player_embedded Bike Baron trailer

Bloomberg TV+ (Finance, iPad, FREE): "Bloomberg Television is a 24-hour global business & financial news network that is watched by the most affluent and influential viewers in the world. It is supported by the world's largest international news bureau network with 146 bureaus in 72 countries." Bring Me Sandwiches!! by [adult swim] (Games, iPhone, $0.99): “Adult Swim Games returns with another original iPhone game! Invader Gourmo promises to destroy the Earth unless you meet his simple demand: BRING ME SANDWICHES!! As lowly fast food employee Jimmy Nugget, you’ve been charged by the President of the United States to save the planet. When making a sandwich for Gourmo, anything goes: meat, trash, cats…whatever you can stick between two slices of bread!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is2y0tfidE8&feature=player_detailpage Bring Me Sandwiches!! trailer

Brothers In Arms® 2: Global Front Free+ by Gameloft (Games, Universal, FREE): “Now you can play the highly acclaimed Brothers in Arms series for FREE! Prepare to step onto the most intense and explosive battlefields of WWII. “ Cards by Apple (Lifestyle, iPhone, FREE): "The new Cards app from Apple lets you create and mail beautifully crafted cards personalized with your own text and photos — right from your iPhone or iPod touch." Codify by Two Lives Left (Productivity, iPad, $7.99): “Codify lets you create games and simulations — or just about any visual idea you have. Turn your thoughts into interactive creations that make use of iPad features like Multi-Touch and the accelerometer.” Contract Killer: Zombies by Glu Mobile (Games, Universal, FREE): "You have killed more criminals than you can count. Now it’s time to face the apocalypse and blow the crap out of thousands of zombies! From the team that brought you Contract Killer comes CONTRACT KILLER: ZOMBIES."

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3BhDf6_0TI&feature=player_detailpage Contract Killers: Zombies trailer

Dark Meadow by Phosphor Games Studio (Games, Universal, $2.99): “A dark fairytale of intrigue and mystery, where the sins of the past must be paid for… So sets the stage for The Dark Meadow — a visually stunning world of deep exploration, gripping story, and heart racing combat, created with the unrivaled power of the Unreal Engine 3.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1og1bg0FwI&feature=player_embedded Dark Meadow trailer

Family Feud® & Friends by Ludia (Games, Universal, FREE): "You can now experience exciting Family Feud competition together with Facebook friends and other Family Feud & Friends players as you try to name the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people."

FEMA by Federal Emergency Management Agency (Reference, Universal, FREE): “The FEMA App contains preparedness information for different types of disasters, an interactive checklist for emergency kits, a section to plan emergency meeting locations, information on how to stay safe and recover after a disaster, a map with FEMA Disaster Recovery Center locations (one-stop centers where disaster survivors can access key relief services) and Shelters, general ways the public can get involved before and after a disaster, and the FEMA blog.” Find My Friends by Apple (Utilities, Universal, FREE): "Find My Friends allows you to easily locate your friends and family from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Install this free app on your iOS 5 device and sign in with the Apple ID you use with iCloud. Adding a friend is easy – just send a request to see their location. Once your friend accepts using the Find My Friends app, you will then be able to see that friend’s location on a list or on a map." iPad version also available for $1.99.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG6Zd_htZv0&feature=player_embedded Fruit Ninja: Puss In Boots trailer

iTunes Movie Trailers by Apple (Entertainment, Universal, FREE): "iTunes Movie Trailers puts the newest and most exclusive movie previews in HD in your hands. Browse trailers, clips, and featurettes for the biggest Hollywood blockbusters and independent cinema; view stunning HD photos; explore a year-long calendar of movie releases; find showtimes near you and get ticket info directly from your iPad or iPhone." Mage Gauntlet by Rocketcat Games (Games, iPhone, $2.99). “Mage Gauntlet is a classic-style action-RPG, designed from the ground up for iOS. It’s inspired primarily by 90′s action RPGs for the Super Nintendo, such as Legend of Zelda: LTTP and Secret of Mana. We wanted to make a fast-paced RPG that doesn’t waste your time with fetch quests.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mneJ5ZD2Yzc&feature=player_embedded Mage Gauntlet trailer

Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation by Gameloft (Games, Universal, $6.99): “The best, most realistic smartphone FPS series returns with even higher intensity and an apocalyptic battle for the freedom of the United States, for one or more players.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdF0EvDwH-Y&feature=player_embedded Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation

Pirates of the Caribbean: Master of the Seas by Disney (Games, Universal, FREE): "Master of the Seas is the first app to combine deep storytelling and brilliant graphics with compelling social gameplay. Become a pirate as you create your ship, build your crew, and embark on quests steeped in the lore from the Pirates of the Caribbean universe."

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5dPBiWiq64&feature=player_detailpage Pirates of the Caribbean: Master of the Seas

Riptide GP by Vector Unit (Games, Universal, $2.99): “Rev up your supercharged jet ski and take a wild ride through twisting canals and rivers, futuristic cityscapes, and mysterious research facilities. Skill, stunts, and speed will be your best allies as you grab massive air off huge waves, kick out death-defying tricks, and boost your jet ski to victory across a dynamic, ever-changing torrent of foam and spray.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzf3pUzwQJM&feature=player_embedded Riptide GP trailer

Rope'n'Fly - From Dusk Till Dawn by Robert Szeleney (Games, Universal, FREE): "Use your ropes to swing a destructible ragdoll from one skyscraper to the others. You have full control over your ropes, touch on a building to throw your rope there, touch again to release it and fly through the sky. Perform various kind of jumps to get achievements, attach to flying planes or ballons and try to beat your friends or all other players by competing with them for the best score.  "

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN53F1xzA3Q&feature=player_detailpage Rope'n'fly - From Dusk Till Dawn trailer

Siegecraft by Crescent Moon Games (Games, Universal, $0.99): "You are the best siege team money can buy. Work for each race as they rage war on each other. Perform well to get paid more and buy awesome power-ups and upgrade your siege machines!"

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74RkQeOT8dM&feature=player_profilepage Siegecraft trailer

Scribblenauts Remix by Warner Bros. (Games, Universal, $4.99): "THINK IT! CREATE IT! SOLVE IT! The award-winning, best-selling videogame is now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad! Help Maxwell acquire the Starite by creating any object, bringing it to life and using it to solve each challenge."

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZrUeMf5PM&feature=player_detailpage Scribblenauts Remix

Shelby.tv by Shelby TV (Entertainment, Universal, FREE): “Shelby.tv is the most amazing way to discover and enjoy web video. Shelby pulls all the videos your friends share on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr into one personally curated channel for you to watch, save favorites, and share. You can even use our bookmarklet to save a video from any website to watch later.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3PtrxwF3EA&feature=player_detailpage Shelby.tv trailer

Squids by The Game Bakers (Games, iPhone, $0.99): "Steev, Vahine and the rest of the Squids are in danger! An infectious black ooze is corrupting their world. Only a few heroes can fight back and save their lush underwater kingdoms! Recruit a small army of stretchy Squids and lead them into turn-based battles against the dark hordes."

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVAfVJVVVL0&feature=player_detailpage Squids trailers

Zombieville USA 2 by Mika Mobile (Games, Universal, $0.99): “Brought to you by the creators of Battleheart, OMG Pirates!, and the original Zombieville USA -- this sequel is jam packed with content and features. Take command of your favorite character, customize them with a spectrum of weapons and skills, and do battle with the living dead -- either alone, or with your friends!”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHgnKlHs2x8&feature=player_embedded Zombieville USA 2 trailer

Mac Apps

Adobe Carousel by Adobe (Photography, Mac, FREE): "Easily bring all your photos together in a photo library you can access from your iPad, iPhone, and Mac. No storage issues or syncing hassles!"

Growl by The Growl Project (Productivity, Mac, $1.99): "Growl is the is ultimate notification system for the Mac. It's the easiest way to know what is going on with other applications while you are working on something else."

Jenga by NaturalMotion (Games, Mac, $4.99): “Real-time 3D physics simulation, authentically recreating the behavior of a real wooden Jenga® tower. Each block is realistically affected by the surrounding blocks, recreating the same strategic depth as the original game.” If there is an app you think should have been included in our list, please let us know about it in the comments section below.