Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Apps That Windows Phone Is Missing That Really Aren’t Missing

Nothing drives me crazier than strolling through a forum post or a Facebook comment string and seeing the phrase, “Well if Windows Phone had ______ I would switch.” Of course the immediate reaction to this is to say, here visit this link to see _____, but most just laugh and move along. It’s almost like we don’t want someone like that using a Windows Phone because once they find that App, something else will be wrong with it. So, just to bring everyone up to speed on the Apps that everyone wants, but Windows Phone isn’t missing…

Instagram BETA

Instagram – Yes, the official App is still in beta form. What isn’t said with that is that the beta is one of the most stable Apps I have ever used. Sure, it’s a bit slow and needs some streamlining, but it is there for the taking on almost every Windows Phone 8 device. For those back on 7, I’m sorry – now go ditch that gorgeous hardware and grab a Nokia Lumia 520 or Nokia Lumia 521 and call it good. Of course, here are still two very strong 3rd party Apps for it as well.

Instagram BETA6tagInstance

Pandora

Pandora – Yep, Pandora snuck through the system months ago. Still most users had no clue that it was out there. Even scarier, the Windows Phone version launched with a no ads bonus for the first few months.

Pandora

Kik Messenger

Kik Messenger – With all the hubbub about BBM going multiplatform, it’s easy to forget that Kik is one of the most used messaging services on the planet. The good news is that it is on Windows Phone and the new update included some of the features that were lagging severely behind other platforms.

Kik Messenger

Vine

Vine – Ok, have to admit here… I don’t get Vine, but most people still don’t know that it’s on Windows Phone. Those little 6 second video clips are just weird, but if that’s your thing, then have at it.

Vine

Google Maps

Google Maps – I’m not sure where Here Maps would fail people, but if you are one of those that just doesn’t do Here, there is Google Maps from Clarity to the rescue. It offers mapping, turn by turn directions and even street view. See, Google doesn’t hate Microsoft that much. Of course now that it’s known that Windows Phone has Google Maps, they will probably start blocking the API that it uses.

Google Maps

Did I miss an App that everyone else is missing? Let me know in the comments below and maybe I’ll just do a full review of it!

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