Windows Phone "Must Have" Apps

evolutionqy7

Right ok theres been a one or two threads about Xbox Live Deals and New Apps but nothing really on what people use day in and out on their Windows Phone. All the app recommendations sort of get lost in the ever long getting Windows Phone 7 Launch Thread

If your posting an app try to add a description and a link from www.windowsphone.com or zune link to make it easier for for folks to get it quick rather than go searching for it.

Pics are nice but not required

Ill try to post some Xbox Live Deals and Stuff I Use the most once in a while so watch this space if your in the look out for some cool things to do with your phone

evolutionqy7

PC Remote - Self Explanatory. Controls your PC and Apps over WiFi. You will need to install PC Remote Server App on your PC from their website too.

Free and Paid Version Available

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IMDb - Most people know about this. App to look up movies info. Even though I dont use it to look up movie reviews, its a very good app to find Cinema listing and Movie times and watch trailers for them.

Free App Available

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Insider - Just a general app review app with some how-to's and your free source of weekly ringtones and daily bing wallpapers

Free App Available

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Navigon - Forget about asking directions. Full fledged navigation on your phone. I got it myself 20 euro less on the introduction sale. But even at €86.49 its still a bargain as your getting a full fledged offline sat nav with tons of features. It was by far my most expensive app ever purchased but i was happy in the end. New version allows to download map of the countries you only need.

Paid App [€86.49] Available

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SuperTube - Probably the best YouTube app since the unfortunate departure of MetroTube [damn i loved that app ] . Metro style youtube app that will let you play and download youtube videos.

Trial, Free and Paid App [€1.29] Available

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TuneIn Radio - Really good Internet Radio app. Mango Enabled features and more. Great selection of radio stations from around the world.

Free App Available

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Pocket Recorder™ - One of the best audio recording apps i used. Beats the pants of most stock apps anyway. Mango features enabled. Can upload your Records to Skydrive or Sync to PC via their own PC app + Zune. Lets your categorize and crop files. Really good audio recording quality. Ive used it both on Samsung Omnia 7 and HTC Titan and have no complaints.

Free and Paid App [€0.99] Available

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Reinstaller - Finds the apps you downloaded or purchased in the past and lets you put them back on the phone. I know i really needed this when i moved to the Titan and i didnt know what apps i had before and i didnt. Help me out a lot!

Free App Available

Do-more

If you edit the thread title to, Windows phone "must have" apps, it would be a lot easier to understand what the purpose of the thread is.

evolutionqy7

BusFinder - BusFinder gives you access to live updates on the latest Dublin bus departures by searching for a bus stop or route. Its finally good to get a Dublin Bus App. But, you cant search for routes. You have to know the route and or the bus stop number. Unfortunately doesnt seem to have find the nearest bus stop function

Even though the UI doesnt look Metro. Its just the colour scheme. Controls are as Metro as they get

Free weeks Trial or Paid App URL="https://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/b30deeff-6dec-4717-bb2b-212982375795/ValidatePurchase/ecb39e55-7964-4772-b988-ea4e09188fed?appType=Regular&purchaseFlowStart=App"][COLOR=#0066cc]€1.29[/COLOR][/URL Available

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Irish Train Times - Cant forget our own resident boards.ie dev
As the title says Irish Train Times App at its best. Simlple quick and easy to use Metro UI. Real time arrivals and a handy journey planner included.

Free Application Available

helpsoftware

Hi

We are listening, and we're planning a series of updates fro BusFinder.

We are working on many cool new features like near by maps and route planners.

However it take time to build and deploy a decent app, and Microsoft marketplace don't allow fast deployment.

On average expect about two weeks between each update.

The v 1.1 is already there, we have fixed the problem with the real time information (hard to get accurate data in Ireland :-)) and we are working on a better route page.

Regards
Help Software

Try also our others Windows Phone apps FotoIreland, fotoBank, NASA Ringtones and Reskit.

You can get more details on www.developers.ie/apps.aspx

evolutionqy7

Xbox Live Games coming to Windows Phone 7 in the coming weeks/months.

Windows Phone

• “Carcassone” (Microsoft Studios) –The award-winning tile-based board game “Carcassonne” is coming to Windows Phone! With the online multiplayer, Xbox LIVE achievements, leader boards and more, this game never gets old.
  
• “Civilization Revolution” (2K) – Award winning Sid Meier’s “Civilization Revolution” is coming to Windows Phone! Build, Discover, Rule the world.
• “DODONPACHI” (CAVE)– An original shooter by Arcade veteran CAVE is arriving for Windows Phone. Can you handle EVAC Industries’ Maximum Bullet Simulator.
• “GeoDefense Swarm” (Microsoft Studios) –The fast-paced tower defense game “GeoDefense Swarm” for Windows Phone gives the power to obliterate a horde of vibrant, vector-styled enemies with multiple weapons of choice.
• “Gerbil Physics” (Microsoft Studios) – In “Gerbil Physics,” a physics-based puzzle game that blows up buildings made of gerbils for Windows Phone, it’s all about adorable destruction.
• “Pinball FX2” (Microsoft Studios) – “Pinball FX2” for Windows Phone features new tables and all-new features including a state-of-the-art physics model and a connection to your Xbox 360 “Pinball FX2” scores.
• “Pirates!” – Available now on Windows Phone, Sid Meier’s “Pirates!” is an exciting high-seas adventure overflowing with intense pirate action and a treasure chest of gameplay riches!
• “Pro Evolution Soccer 2012” (Konami) – This spring, the unrivalled and award-winning football simulation from Konami is entering a new season on Windows Phone!
• “Shoot 1UP!” (Microsoft Studios) –This Spring, an armada of ships is coming to Windows Phone in “Shoot 1UP.”
• “Wordament” (Microsoft Studios) – In the world of “Wordament” for Xbox LIVE, Windows Phone word searchers across the whole Internet compete on the same board, in real-time, to get the highest score.

Source : Major Nelson

Some other cool apps I came across in recent weeks or so

8tracks

8tracks is handcrafted internet radio. It offers a simple way for people to share and discover music through an online mix, a short playlist containing at least 8 tracks.

Really cool sort of like radio app. Just the user makes playlist

[+]Lock Screen

Lock Screen+ supplies thousands of beautiful pictures which are perfectly made to fix you Phone.

Even more, you can add an DIY Calendar on the picture and highlight the date information from you local calendar.

I really only bought this cause I loved the wallpaper selection in it. But it has some cool things like adding a calendar widget to you lock screen to or some accents to the clock, date and appointments list.

Paid and Lite versions available.

I'm a musician - piano

No more envy pianists. And no more read notes for playing the piano.
Even though you don't know how to play the piano, just touch the buttons on the screen.
The performance sometimes speeds up and then slows down with only touch it.

Want to to play the piano without knowing how to play? Well now you can. Easy and simple I love this app personally. Though I would really love to see this getting an update as its not even Mango enabled

Paid Version, Free for LG Users.

Skype

Dont think I really need to explain what it is. Though I will mention this is a beta and wont run in the background. Its an open beta so if you cant see it by searching in the marketplace that's the reason why. Use the link above

Free app

Burning Eclipse

I'm a big fan of Pulse, it's a great news app. Would recommend to anyone!

neilksos

Complete self promotion so I apologise but I just released my new Windows Phone web texting app into the store. Its modelled after the Messaging hub so it saves all sent messages. Its called Noelle.

You can find it at this link http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/c31db512-358c-47d4-bfe7-f4ef3f22568c

evolutionqy7

neilksos wrote: »

Complete self promotion so I apologise but I just released my new Windows Phone web texting app into the store. Its modelled after the Messaging hub so it saves all sent messages. Its called Noelle.

You can find it at this link http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/c31db512-358c-47d4-bfe7-f4ef3f22568c

Well done its a really nice looking app and works well

PseudoFamous

Baconit is a pretty minty reddit app. I like it, it's feature packed, and makes great use of metro.

Nebula is my app of choice for soundcloud. Works extremely well, even can run in background with music playing, which is actually hard to come by for music related apps. Can even save songs for offline listening.

Odaise Gaelach

I really like the RTE News Reader app. It's quite simple, but works perfectly.

Alanstrainor

Odaise Gaelach wrote: »

I really like the RTE News Reader app. It's quite simple, but works perfectly.

That's a nice little app!

Corruptedmorals

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-GB/apps/5192e2d0-60e1-df11-a844-00237de2db9e

Surprisingly strong beam of light from it, very handy. I stupidly thought these types of apps meant turning the screen white as they used to..:o

evolutionqy7

zune://navigate/?phoneappID=1e92b202-f13b-4af4-94ff-a35caaa258c0

PrimeTube is a new YouTube client which is free. Finally a good replacement for MetroTube. It also loads my subscriptions and favourites over 3G .

I deleted SuperTube in favour of this.

Well worth trying as its sweet

AntiVirus

Goal.com

The best app for all your football needs

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/apps/bb316f94-8f2d-46e2-88d4-33b353638c5d

chrislad

AntiVirus wrote: »

Goal.com

The best app for all your football needs

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/apps/bb316f94-8f2d-46e2-88d4-33b353638c5d

Really? It's probably the best free app but it's very slow to load data. I personally paid for this one. Only had it a week now but the live tile changes to the most recent game your club had, then to the live game on the day. You can add up to 4 teams for quick access, it has a history of the league etc

You can have notifications for one other team (so you have live tiles for your main team eg United and notifications for, say, their main challengers, like City) and it works well, and is only let down by Windows lack of a notification centre.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/search?q=Premier%20Leagues%20+

AntiVirus

chrislad wrote: »

AntiVirus wrote: »

Goal.com

The best app for all your football needs

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/apps/bb316f94-8f2d-46e2-88d4-33b353638c5d

Really? It's probably the best free app but it's very slow to load data. I personally paid for this one. Only had it a week now but the live tile changes to the most recent game your club had, then to the live game on the day. You can add up to 4 teams for quick access, it has a history of the league etc

You can have notifications for one other team (so you have live tiles for your main team eg United and notifications for, say, their main challengers, like City) and it works well, and is only let down by Windows lack of a notification centre.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/search?q=Premier%20Leagues%20+

I tried out that app and its very good, much quicker than Goal.com

I even paid for it, they need one for the rugby too

evolutionqy7

Calc Pro is probably the best calculator app you will ever use. Its expensive at 7.99 for an app (but an average scientific calc cost around 18 euro so not that expensive) with a try before you buy. But it has many different types of calculators and is extremely feature rich. If you do a lot of science work and calculations its definitely worth it. Direct link for your phone here

http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=8e7f8368-3fc7-df11-9eae-00237de2db9e

Odaise Gaelach

I really enjoy Penguin. It's quite relaxing and good for a few minutes of fun.

evolutionqy7

PES 2012 is out http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/fbadf894-311a-4757-a84a-51d66432755b

Got it myself today. I always liked the PES 2011 on the phone ( I hate it on consoles, I don't even like football in general but on the phone it seems fun and simple) but never got it, so decided finally to get 2012 as the graphics and gameplay seems to be a lot better

Also Glow Artisan is DOW http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/1f107762-9fd8-df11-a844-00237de2db9e

Pretty good puzzle challenge game. Worth a try

chrislad

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

PES 2012 is out http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/fbadf894-311a-4757-a84a-51d66432755b

Got it myself today. I always liked the PES 2011 on the phone ( I hate it on consoles, I don't even like football in general but on the phone it seems fun and simple) but never got it, so decided finally to get 2012 as the graphics and gameplay seems to be a lot better

Also Glow Artisan is DOW http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/1f107762-9fd8-df11-a844-00237de2db9e

Pretty good puzzle challenge game. Worth a try

What's annoying me is that I have paid for 3 games - PES 2011, Crackdown and Twin Blades. All of these have now been pulled from the market and I can no longer download them. I've swapped phones so I don't have them on my phone any more.

evolutionqy7

chrislad wrote: »

What's annoying me is that I have paid for 3 games - PES 2011, Crackdown and Twin Blades. All of these have now been pulled from the market and I can no longer download them. I've swapped phones so I don't have them on my phone any more.

That happened to me for a two apps not much you can do it happened to me on previous platforms too. Quite frustrating.

If you have a dev unlocked phone you might find some one storing an app that was pulled and side load it though

evolutionqy7

http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=9efaf5ed-6702-40b4-a4da-268cf5e6c12c

HTC Locations were updated today and they added free offline voice guided 3D navigation. Just tested it quickly and seems to be good. Has POI's too so finally we can forget about bing maps.

Its free and ready to download in link above

Walkman

Is there a good speed test app for testing network connection speed?

evolutionqy7

Walkman wrote: »

Is there a good speed test app for testing network connection speed?

Since the last time I tested I found a lot of the speed test apps to be horribly inaccurate.

I just use http://testmy.net

I don't use it that much though

FGR

Any word on when Netflix will release an app for the irish marketplace?

chrislad

ForegoneReality wrote: »

Any word on when Netflix will release an app for the irish marketplace?

According to one of their devs on twitter, latest update with UK and Ireland support has been submitted to the market.

Walkman

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

Walkman wrote: »

Is there a good speed test app for testing network connection speed?

Since the last time I tested I found a lot of the speed test apps to be horribly inaccurate.

I just use http://testmy.net

I don't use it that much though

Just found one called 'Bandwith', seems accurate, has a 'S' on the tile.

MJohnston

The Guardian have a fantastic official app which is as full featured as their other platforms (but also free) and as a bonus, allows you to pin different sections of the site to your homescreen, with Live tile updates on major headlines.

Nokia Drive is sort of available - only if you have a Lumia or a dev-unlocked device and a XAP file - and it is superb. Really plain and simple and missing a few features I'd love them to add (and judging by their updates so far, probably will be in the near future) but it's a joy to use.

Spotify is a must if you have a premium account, although it definitely doesn't feel as stable when it's running in the background as on iOS.

Weather by MS themselves is a really simple app, and does what it says on the tin with no fuss. You can also pin live tiles for different locations.

Wunderlist is an excellent small and (again) simple task management app that works across a whole load of platforms, including web.

Apict is pretty much the Instagram camera without the social network connection, you just insert or take a photo and it adds lots of nice retro effects (automatically computed based on the photo itself) and lets you save or upload to Facebook/Twitter. I wish they'd let you remove the "Polaroid" style frame they add, but you can quickly edit that out with other photo apps.

Bing Get Me There is very helpful if you're ever in London.

These are also self-explanatory but really useful: Yelp, Skydrive, Flixster (especially for the Cinema pinning), Foodspotting, Huffington Post, pumps.ie, Pulse, TripAdvisor.

FGR

I'll hang on for the Netflix app and probably take the plunge then! For now my Nokia C5 seems to do the job!

evolutionqy7

FGR wrote: »

I'll hang on for the Netflix app and probably take the plunge then! For now my Nokia C5 seems to do the job!

Netflix is out for about a week now

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Microsoft Translator just got updated to V2.0 and it seems to bring lots of new features on board Lots of handy ones too

Check it out, its free anyway

evolutionqy7

http://windowsphone.com/s?appid=ae13c46a-eed5-4c1a-8873-160c1635bbfa

Weather Flow, its a stunning weather app. You have to try it to see it, its probably the most simplistic and beautiful weather app you can find. TRUE definition of metro styling.

Can get a 3 day trial or will cost ya 2 yo yos

AssaultedPeanut

neilksos wrote: »

Complete self promotion so I apologise but I just released my new Windows Phone web texting app into the store. Its modelled after the Messaging hub so it saves all sent messages. Its called Noelle.

You can find it at this link http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/c31db512-358c-47d4-bfe7-f4ef3f22568c

I came across this app last night, it came up in the featured or recommended apps list. Dead handy Nice work

ozymandius

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

Microsoft Translator just got updated to V2.0 and it seems to bring lots of new features on board Lots of handy ones too

Check it out, its free anyway

Could anyone on Meteor check if this works (on-line) for them. Works fine on wifi, but not on mobile network. Not the first time I've had random acts like this with Meteor.

Great app though. Offline is very useful ...

evolutionqy7

ozymandius wrote: »

Could anyone on Meteor check if this works (on-line) for them. Works fine on wifi, but not on mobile network. Not the first time I've had random acts like this with Meteor.

Great app though. Offline is very useful ...

Tried it before on data and worked fine. Though I have downloaded the Spanish dictionary in preparation for Spain Google Translator was always good and I sort of missed it on WP7. Well not anymore and this sort of dwarfs it in functionality and ability to use it on holiday. Face it, cloud translator isn't much use when you cant really use it abroad due to extreme data charges unless your in the hotel all the time with WiFi

T-b0n3

Great thread.

Downloaded most of the ones mentioned above. The translator app seems very handy. I will test out some of the others and see what they are like.

Apps I use a lot and recommend would be:

Soccer Live Scores: Its a free app that gives live scores for basically any football match around the world.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/b7d377b3-4548-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

PC Remote: As mentioned above its an app that lets you control your pc. Great for when your in bed watching film/tv. Need to dowload the app onto your pc and phone.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/66e0f384-7220-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

TV Show Lite: You can add the tv programs you watch and it tells you when new episodes are out and keeps track of what you have watched and what you haven't. Can be handy for people who watch a lot of TV programs. Also free, there is a paid version which has no adds and extra features.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-IE/apps/b5bef1ca-d649-e011-854c-00237de2db9e

Then just the other normal apps I'm sure most have/know about: Twitter, Facebook, IMDB, Whatsapp.

Keep the recommendations coming.

evolutionqy7

Whats coming in the next Facebook Update.

Hello everyone,

Firstly, thanks for all your feedback over the past few months. We read every comment you submit on Facebook, through email, and through the Marketplace, we use them to plan features for releases and we really appreciate all the work you put into feeding back. We’re listening :-)

The team has been working hard over the past few weeks on building the next version of Facebook for W...indows Phone, and as we’re getting close to release we thought now would be a good time to share with you some of the upcoming features you’ll be finding in v2.5:

- Threaded messaging
Full Facebook threaded messaging including group messaging, all in a beautiful Metro style design.

- Tagging
Now you can tag friends and locations in your posts in the ‘with’ and ‘at’ format.

- Delete posts and comments
Use the tap and hold context menu to delete posts and comments from your wall.

- Active links in posts
Tap on links in posts to go directly to the content.

- Updates to the photo comments and likes page
The photo comments and likes page has been updated to match the posts comments and likes page. You can see a hint of the image at the top of the page, pull down and you can see the whole thing.

- And finally, by popular demand…
…you can now ‘like’ comments!

We’re just going through our final rounds of testing and sign off, then we’ll be able to share it with the world. Keep your eyes peeled for the launch announcement on this page, and for the update notification on the Marketplace tile.

Thanks everyone!

The Facebook for Windows Phone team.

Jomcc

Just noticed that Skype has finally been launched on Windows Phone.

evolutionqy7

Jomcc wrote: »

Just noticed that Skype has finally been launched on Windows Phone.

It stop doesn't run in the background. Will be introduced later I suppose, but all the bugs and most used features are now available

evolutionqy7

Fruit Ninja got a price drop to 99 cent too Get it here

Wordament got updated to an Xbox Live Game today If you have it already, there should be an update waiting for you

Its still free awesome game to pass time

mad muffin

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

It stop doesn't run in the background. Will be introduced later I suppose, but all the bugs and most used features are now available

Funnily enough it's also being launched on the ps vita and on that it will run in the background. :rolleyes:

AssaultedPeanut

Taptitude is excellent. Loads of games & it's free

evolutionqy7

mad muffin wrote: »

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

It stop doesn't run in the background. Will be introduced later I suppose, but all the bugs and most used features are now available

Funnily enough it's also being launched on the ps vita and on that it will run in the background. :rolleyes:

Well we gotta make do with what is available. I only ever use Skype when I turn it on. Not a huge deal but it would be nice to see this soon.
I'm sure it will come soon.

talla

Hi looking for a decent podcast app similar to pocket casts thats available for android and IOS.
Any suggestions?

evolutionqy7

talla wrote: »

Hi looking for a decent podcast app similar to pocket casts thats available for android and IOS.
Any suggestions?

I use this, never used pocket casts on either so not sure what your looking for.

Its 1.99, free version available too

T-b0n3

chrislad wrote: »

Really? It's probably the best free app but it's very slow to load data. I personally paid for this one. Only had it a week now but the live tile changes to the most recent game your club had, then to the live game on the day. You can add up to 4 teams for quick access, it has a history of the league etc

You can have notifications for one other team (so you have live tiles for your main team eg United and notifications for, say, their main challengers, like City) and it works well, and is only let down by Windows lack of a notification centre.

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-ie/search?q=Premier%20Leagues%20+

After using that and liking it I'm really considering buying it (would be my first paid app) but I was just wondering if it's possible to change the teams you get notifications for? Like depending on who is playing on different days? I'll probably get it anyway, but just wondering.

Thanks.

talla

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

I use this, never used pocket casts on either so not sure what your looking for.

Its 1.99, free version available too

Cheers, will give it a try. From initial impressions, not a big fan of the UI (too many steps to download episodes, even if you've marked as a favorite) the podcasts are very slow to download.

Pocket Cast has a very simple UI, once you subscribe to podcasts it checks for new episodes every time you launch the app, can download them automatically, deletes the episodes when played etc.

I though one of the features of 7.5 was the ability to subscribe and download episodes within the marketplace, i'm not seeing that option on the Lumia 800?

evolutionqy7

talla wrote: »

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

I use this, never used pocket casts on either so not sure what your looking for.

Its 1.99, free version available too

Pocket Cast has a very simple UI, once you subscribe to podcasts it checks for new episodes every time you launch the app, can download them automatically, deletes the episodes when played etc.

I though one of the features of 7.5 was the ability to subscribe and download episodes within the marketplace, i'm not seeing that option on the Lumia 800?

Only available in the supported markers (US, UK etc...)

InvisibleBadger

You can subscribe to podcasts from within the default music player, the only catch being that you have to upload an episode of the podcast to the phone manually to begin with

AntiVirus

I've got Podcast working nicely on my Lumia 800. You need to change some reg settings on your PC to get it to work.

I'm out at the moment so I can't post any links on how to do it but I'm sure you can find the instructions on google. :-)

AssaultedPeanut

For anyone who uses Foursquare I'd highly recommend 4th & Mayor.

Very slick app, and has a "Check-in now" live tile which is brill.

4th & Mayor discussion and QR code here