Windows Store Apps

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McCrazieGoalz

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Windows Phone store apps

Really, I know that this is perhaps one of the most discussed issues about Windows Phone and in fact the entire Windows ecosystem right now.

So, Windows Phone has just over 100,000 apps and WP8 has about 40,000. Measly compared to Android and Apple's app stores. But, if you think about it more carefully, Windows actually has the most apps amongst the various ecosystems. There are over 4million apps like Adobe Photo shop, Norton Antivirus, Snipping Tool, Nero and VLC etcetera. So, your Win8 tablet really doesn't have this poor app ecosystem problem - unless if you are using an RT tab or a Windows Phone phone.

With that said, it is really WP and RT that actually have app problems - not the entire Windows OS.

My question is, what are the best apps on WP right now? There is very little information on what the best Windows Store apps are at the moment.

I came to this question because I was looking for a flashlight app and I just couldn't decide which one would be the best one. So, I've come to the holy grail of Windows Phone in South Africa (this corner of MyBB forums) to seek answers.

You might have questions about WP apps too, or you might be really clued up about WP apps.

Let us know which apps are the best for you. Or throw a question into the ring.

Lets help each other make the best of our chosen OS.
 
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Most of my apps:

Battery monitor http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=79bc24eb-c729-471d-b753-ef6dfa9ff1e5
Board Express
CamWow
Dashboard
EBay
Emergency Kit
Facebook
Flashlight-X
gMaps (only for google street view)
LinkedIn
MyTileMaker
PayPal
PDF reader
Project management
RapDialler (my main dialler as the WP8 dialler is useless)
SkyDrive
Skype
Sports Tracker
Super camera
System view
Twitter
Unit conversion tool
Whatsapp
Wikipedia
Accu weather

I didn't include the preloaded apps
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express
 
The first flashlight app I downloaded was Flashlight-X and it seems pretty decent, so kept it.

As for other must0have apps, it's very much a personal preference and what is good for one person will not be sufficient for another.

Fhotoroom is also a great photo edit app, but you have to change your location to download it.

I'm missing two critical apps:

- A decent pdf reader (the Microsoft pdf Reader is terrible, does not even open the L920 user manual!)
- A call recorder to record conversations. The only one I found did not work, perhaps it only works on WP7?
 
p51mustang said:
The first flashlight app I downloaded was Flashlight-X and it seems pretty decent, so kept it.

As for other must0have apps, it's very much a personal preference and what is good for one person will not be sufficient for another.

Fhotoroom is also a great photo edit app, but you have to change your location to download it.

I'm missing two critical apps:

- A decent pdf reader (the Microsoft pdf Reader is terrible, does not even open the L920 user manual!)
- A call recorder to record conversations. The only one I found did not work, perhaps it only works on WP7?
Click to expand...

While browsing Windows Phone store I saw a couple of Adobe PDF apps. I think one of the apps was actually an Adobe app.
 
McCrazieGoalz said:
Cool. Now I know where to go when I've got an app idea.
Click to expand...

Thank you but, I'm not the only local developer, besides most of our apps are contracted (On request base). I know roguemat does some dev as well.

If people have Idea's its best to place em in the open for all of us so if we have time, want to do it, we can take it up :)
 
I think all the other free pdf apps are to create pdfs, not read them.

Oh yes, I also want an app similar to the Nokia Counter for 7.5, so I can see how much data I'm using.
 
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signates said:
Most of my apps:

Battery monitor http://www.windowsphone.com/s?appid=79bc24eb-c729-471d-b753-ef6dfa9ff1e5
Board Express
CamWow
Dashboard
EBay
Emergency Kit
Facebook
Flashlight-X
gMaps (only for google street view)
LinkedIn
MyTileMaker
PayPal
PDF reader
Project management
RapDialler (my main dialler as the WP8 dialler is useless)
SkyDrive
Skype
Sports Tracker
Super camera
System view
Twitter
Unit conversion tool
Whatsapp
Wikipedia
Accu weather

I didn't include the preloaded apps
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express
Click to expand...

That is a very comprehensive list @signature.

I am sure to try at least 10 of them.

Thanks.
 
AlphaJohn said:
Thank you but, I'm not the only local developer, besides most of our apps are contracted (On request base). I know roguemat does some dev as well.

If people have Idea's its best to place em in the open for all of us so if we have time, want to do it, we can take it up :)
Click to expand...

Alright. I'll try and remember that.
 
I think the current PDF reader app is getting about a 1 star rating and is supposedly next to useless- only simple pdf's read.
any password protected (or perhaps even a newer created versions) do not open. wouldn't have thought the manual could'nt be opened.
 
Rocco1 said:
I think the current PDF reader app is getting about a 1 star rating and is supposedly next to useless- only simple pdf's read.
any password protected (or perhaps even a newer created versions) do not open. wouldn't have thought the manual could'nt be opened.
Click to expand...

I can see why someone who has been using Android or iOS could easily become frustrated.

As for me, I'm moving from Symbian so I think Windows Store is pretty okay.

I am still to get my phone. I've been waiting for it for over 2weeks now. Tell me if this is normal. They told me that there were some back orders and thats why it is taking so long. But, 2 weeks of waiting and counting?

I guess that is why I created the thread. I can't wait to start exploring WP. Them agents should just give me my phone now before I do something drastic.
 
I know I am not any sort of authority on the subject but, here are the Apps that I personally recommend:

- CNN
- ESPN ScoreCentre
- Unit converter
- Nokia QR
- Dictaphone
- Level (spirit)
- Calculator
- emDial (a very basic app - must have been a built in function)
- Fruit Ninja (keep this one away from anyone under 12 - you won't get your phone back)
- MyBB (roguemat's app)
- Decibel Meter (there can be noise sometimes around you)
- Password Shaker (You need to change your password every month - so I've heard)
- Periodic Table (back to basics)
- SA TV Guide (Come on)
- Windows 8 Ringtone (Artist & Surface Movement Songs are there)
 
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McCrazieGoalz said:
I know I am not any sort of authority on the subject but, here are the Apps that I personally recommend:

- CNN
- ESPN ScoreCentre
- Unit converter
- Nokia QR
- Dictaphone
- Level (spirit)
- Calculator
- emDial (a very basic app - must have been a built in function)
- Fruit Ninja (keep this one away from anyone under 12 - you won't get your phone back)
- MyBB (roguemat's app)
- Decibel Meter (there can be noise sometimes around you)
- Password Shaker (You need to change your password every month - so I've heard)
- Periodic Table (back to basics)
- SA TV Guide (Come on)
- Windows 8 Ringtone (Artist & Surface Movement Songs are there)
Click to expand...

Is that the Microsoft Level? Ditch it and download "Another Level". It's mine, and it's prettier :P

Also, pretty cool new TV app will be available soonish :)
 
roguemat said:
Is that the Microsoft Level? Ditch it and download "Another Level". It's mine, and it's prettier :P

Also, pretty cool new TV app will be available soonish :)
Click to expand...

lol. I beat you to it. I already have it.

I saw it while I was downloading your other app (Relaxify - a cool app, neat).

As for your MyBB app, I just think you should add a section for Forums. Sometimes thats all I do on MyBB - come to the forums and talk 'trash'. Please add it. Or is there a way of getting to the forums on your app? Let me know.

Nice apps all in all. 'Another Level' is just that - on another level as a spirit level. Much more useful and gives the user increased accuracy.
 
I'd like to say this to all the WP app ecosystem nay-sayers:

"Criticism of the Windows Phone app store is completely unjustified"

I have been thoroughly impressed by the app collection that WP has. All the apps I could think of they have. They may not have that somewhat obscure app that you are looking for but, by-and-large, they have the apps that are popular on other OSes.

So, for me, the app ecosystem criticism doesn't hold water for WP.

It is true that there are certain things that WP lacks - serious ones (I have to admit because even I am annoyed by them) but the app store is definately not one of them.
 
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I'm really starting to miss the FNB banking app on WP8.

RBJacobs from FNB does not know when it will be available.

Does any of the other banks have apps for WP8? I can't seem to find any in the windows market.
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express
 
signates said:
I'm really starting to miss the FNB banking app on WP8.

RBJacobs from FNB does not know when it will be available.

Does any of the other banks have apps for WP8? I can't seem to find any in the windows market.
Sent from my Nokia Lumia 920 using Board Express
Click to expand...

Here I think it is a shame that developers are not developing apps for WP. In my opinion, they are missing out on a really great opportunity.

The free lance app developers are seeing value in Windows Store. It is more the individual companies that haven't quite caught on yet. There is still an Apple frenzy amongst the top companies' decision makers and in my opinion this is making them loose sight of where the mobile market is heading to and in the process they are failing to provide their customers the best possible services.

I too am looking for a Standard Bank app.

Do you know that Symbian S40 actually is the third leading mobile OS right now with about 13% of the market? This is a new OS which Nokia will support for sometime. Yet, they would rather develop apps for BlackBerry (3.39% share) before it. SymbianOS has about 9%. This brings the overall Symbian market share to 21%. Link.
 
McCrazieGoalz said:
Here I think it is a shame that developers are not developing apps for WP. In my opinion, they are missing out on a really great opportunity.

The free lance app developers are seeing value in Windows Store. It is more the individual companies that haven't quite caught on yet. There is still an Apple frenzy amongst the top companies' decision makers and in my opinion this is making them loose sight of where the mobile market is heading to and in the process they are failing to provide their customers the best possible services.

I too am looking for a Standard Bank app.

Do you know that Symbian S40 actually is the third leading mobile OS right now with about 13% of the market? This is a new OS which Nokia will support for sometime. Yet, they would rather develop apps for BlackBerry (3.39% share) before it. SymbianOS has about 9%. This brings the overall Symbian market share to 21%. Link.
Click to expand...

No the reason is because you people suck....literally. as in Numbers.

If I release an App for Windows Phone I would be lucky to break the 2000 mark, exact same app for other platforms break 20K withing the 1st week. SO when it comes down to numbers I would target other devices 1st, and only if I have time will I target Windows Phone. If the numbers increase so will my effort. For now it just do not have the numbers to get full attention, for now.
 
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AlphaJohn said:
No the reason is because you people suck....literally. as in Numbers.

If I release an App for Windows Phone I would be lucky to break the 2000 mark, exact same app for other platforms break 20K withing the 1st week. SO when it comes down to numbers I would target other devices 1st, and only if I have time will I target Windows Phone. If the numbers increase so will my effort. For now it just do not have the numbers to get full attention, for now.
Click to expand...

AlphaJohn, you know very well that it is a chicken and egg story.

I think Microsoft and partners have done quite a bit to get the numbers up onto WP. Microsoft alone is spending a billion US on advertising the tile interface a la Win8.

The question is what are you doing? Waiting for numbers?

The fact is, you both need each other but you (developers) decide to do nothing while the other party is doing something. The more apps the more people on the platform.
 
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