Which apps aren't available on WP?

Player 2

My Nokia N8 is due an upgrade next week and I've taken a fancy to the Lumia 1020 as a replacement.

Anyone I've mentioned it to has told me to go for an Android phone instead, because there are more apps. (Frankly, whether it's Windows or Android, both are still an improvement over Symbian in terms of app availability!)

From what I can tell; a large chunk of the top 100 Android apps have equivalents on the Windows Phone app store anyway; but, I've been paying more attention to t.v. ads and billboard posters lately, which often have "available for iOS and Android" on them. (i.e. Banking apps, Hailo etc)

Are there many apps that you miss having moved to Windows phone? Or; is there a definitive list of "killer apps" that aren't available?

PaulieC

Any app you 'need' is a killer app. There is a lack of local apps, especially in Ireland, but most of the major apps are there (almost there in the case of instagram). In a lot of cases there are indie apps where the official apps don't exist

Down South

Personally I'd like to have Flipboard (on its way) and Hailo (anyone have any idea if its coming????)

wheresmybeaver

Hailo is missing alright, which is a disappointment. There's also no Sky Go app although sky Italy are apparently developing one, which should mean one for the UK and Ireland too.

meanwhile some of the third party apps out there are better than the originals, like 6tag (instagram) and metrotube (youtube). And some windows phone official apps are miles better than android or ios versions: the dominos pizza app comes to mind!

jimmynokia

Any apps your after in particular for windows phone please list them here !

ziggy

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PaulieC

for interest, why is IE so sh*t ? I've heard it said before plenty of times, but I can do everything I need to do in IE. Tried Firefox and Chrome on the desktop too and they really aren't sufficiently different or better to me.
What am I missing ?

wrt local apps, there are no official market figures here like you see in other countries so it's impossible to know the size of the market segment WP has in Ireland. Local apps are a great way of building market share, so if there are apps that don't exist, contact the companies directly asking for one. You'll get the usual 'we have no current plans...', but the more interest and feedback expressed, the more likely they will happen. And once a few fall, the rest will come tumbling pretty quickly

AntiVirus

ziggy wrote: »

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I'm interested to know how UC Browser is better than IE and why you find IE so bad. I find it works perfectly.

ziggy

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bidiots

jimmynokia wrote: »

Any apps your after in particular for windows phone please list them here !

BOI App
If IE is going to be the only browser supported, add in some functionality that Dolphin browser in Android offers - Swipe options

bidiots

ziggy wrote: »

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This was bugging me too and then I changed the refresh button to a tab button(settings) which helped a small bit.

ziggy

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g0g

AIB is the main one I'd like to see, plus some sort of app from Coeliac Society to check barcodes in supermarkets. I think they have one in UK for iOS and possibly Ireland too.

testicle

Ulster Bank

PaulieC

ziggy wrote: »

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sportinglife.com opens perfectly formed for me in IE.

BUT...I'm inclined to disagree on some of your points.
One of the reasons you cite for IE being sh*t is because it doesn't open pages properly, but you use it for AIB because UC Browser doesn't open that page correctly. How does that work ?
Secondly, not being able to select google as your search engine. That's just plain wrong. It's a setting in IE.

ziggy

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PaulieC

ziggy wrote: »

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yes

ziggy

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Fingleberries

While I don't like to list what is not on the phone, because there are many useful apps and features in Windows Phone 8.

An app I miss is Nike+ Running - it's only really useful on iOS. But it's the only running app I know of that has the 'Power Song' function, to play one of your favourite songs at a point when you might need a boost when running.

A lot of the running apps on WP8 have poor Music integration - it's always multiple clicks away to choose a playlist or set up the music for a run (or you can't shuffle the music on a playlist). Nike+ running handled that really well.

For just tracking runs (ignoring the music features I mentioned above), there are good alternatives on WP8.
- Runtastic
- Endomondo

AntiVirus

ziggy wrote: »

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The back button is the phone back button,
It' only 2 clicks to see the open tabpages,
I've no problem with any sites or the sportinglife.com one?

Anyway I thought I'd have a look at the UC Browser app to see what its like and its not bad. There's some nice features on it.

Queerdub

Fingleberries wrote: »

While I don't like to list what is not on the phone, because there are many useful apps and features in Windows Phone 8.

An app I miss is Nike+ Running - it's only really useful on iOS. But it's the only running app I know of that has the 'Power Song' function, to play one of your favourite songs at a point when you might need a boost when running.

A lot of the running apps on WP8 have poor Music integration - it's always multiple clicks away to choose a playlist or set up the music for a run (or you can't shuffle the music on a playlist). Nike+ running handled that really well.

For just tracking runs (ignoring the music features I mentioned above), there are good alternatives on WP8.
- Runtastic
- Endomondo

How about the Adidas Micoach app which has Nokia Music integration?

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/adidas-micoach/3342a0aa-c629-4196-a75c-147e13b06a47

ziggy

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Fingleberries

Queerdub wrote: »

How about the Adidas Micoach app which has Nokia Music integration?

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/adidas-micoach/3342a0aa-c629-4196-a75c-147e13b06a47

Yeah, its ok. But it's cumbersome to get to your own music and doesn't let you set a distance or time goal.

Runtastic has Nokia music integration as well, but the same problem getting to your own music and goal setting.

They're both nearly, but not quite there.

_Kaiser_

ziggy wrote: »

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I'm intrigued.. Installing this now.

What I really miss from my desktop version of Chrome is the roaming profile. All the settings, bookmarks etc just auto-download when you sign in.

It's actually surprising that IE - mobile or desktop - still doesn't support that (despite everything else MSFT offer being linked to a Outlook/Hotmail account)

Fingleberries

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I'm intrigued.. Installing this now.

What I really miss from my desktop version of Chrome is the roaming profile. All the settings, bookmarks etc just auto-download when you sign in.

It's actually surprising that IE - mobile or desktop - still doesn't support that (despite everything else MSFT offer being linked to a Outlook/Hotmail account)

Does IE not do that on Windows 8 / 8.1 now? I seem to remember that some details were being synched across to another Win 8 device.

I'm sure they'll eventually do the same with Windows Phone 8.1 / Blue

Do-more

I'm in the market for a new phone having had an LG Optimus 7 for the last 2 & half years.

I have loved the operating system in general but the lack of apps is what is driving me towards getting an Android phone the Motorola Moto G this time around I hope I don't live to regret that.

It just seems that most companies still do not take WP seriously and only release apps for iOS or Anrdoid. I had hoped that the big push with the launch of WP8 would change that but it seems that WP doesn't have the critical mass required to be taken seriously by companies.

Just in the last few weeks I've come across 3 particular instances of this. First one was when I purchased Roadside breakdown cover the company has a nice app that you can use to get help if your car breaks down and sends them your exact location on a map, no faffing around with "I passed a pub a few miles back and I can see a green house with a tractor outside"! but only available for iOS or Android.

Then I had a burglar alarm salesman around telling me about their great app that will let you know when the kids come home from school and they switch off the alarm and how you can turn on the alarm remotely if you forgot to in the rush out the door etc. etc. but of course not available for WP.

Lastly I just bought a new Pioneer surround sound amp and all the reviews say the remote control is a disaster and by far the best way is to use Pioneer's app on your phone or tablet but yet again despite Pioneer being lauded as one of the best companies for integration with smart phones for streaming and controls they only have apps available for iOS or Android.

I've just got fed up with it and had enough, it doesn't look to me that WP is ever going to take off and is now stuck in a Catch 22 regarding the poor availability of apps.

AntiVirus

Do-more wrote: »

I'm in the market for a new phone having had an LG Optimus 7 for the last 2 & half years.

I have loved the operating system in general but the lack of apps is what is driving me towards getting an Android phone the Motorola Moto G this time around I hope I don't live to regret that.

It just seems that most companies still do not take WP seriously and only release apps for iOS or Anrdoid. I had hoped that the big push with the launch of WP8 would change that but it seems that WP doesn't have the critical mass required to be taken seriously by companies.

Just in the last few weeks I've come across 3 particular instances of this. First one was when I purchased Roadside breakdown cover the company has a nice app that you can use to get help if your car breaks down and sends them your exact location on a map, no faffing around with "I passed a pub a few miles back and I can see a green house with a tractor outside"! but only available for iOS or Android.

Then I had a burglar alarm salesman around telling me about their great app that will let you know when the kids come home from school and they switch off the alarm and how you can turn on the alarm remotely if you forgot to in the rush out the door etc. etc. but of course not available for WP.

Lastly I just bought a new Pioneer surround sound amp and all the reviews say the remote control is a disaster and by far the best way is to use Pioneer's app on your phone or tablet but yet again despite Pioneer being lauded as one of the best companies for integration with smart phones for streaming and controls they only have apps available for iOS or Android.

I've just got fed up with it and had enough, it doesn't look to me that WP is ever going to take off and is now stuck in a Catch 22 regarding the poor availability of apps.

Whats the burglar alarm system? and which app is this. Someone asked me exactly that question last night in the pub when they forgot to put there house alarm on!

Do-more

AntiVirus wrote: »

Whats the burglar alarm system? and which app is this. Someone asked me exactly that question last night in the pub when they forgot to put there house alarm on!

No use to you I am afraid, The alarm is called Verisure from a company called Securitas Direct who operate in 10 countries but not Ireland.

From looking at their website I now see that they say that they will launch a Windows Phone App in December, they obviously haven't briefed their sales people very well about it.

Now if only Pioneer would launch a control app for Windows Phone I'd be happy and buy a new WP8 phone rather than the Moto G because I know that there are things about Android such as no dedicated camera button and having to leave your phone switched on for the alarm to work that are going to bug me.

[Edit] A Google search found that some guy has done an independent WP app for Pioneer AV receivers although the reviews seem a little underwhelming, was just considering cancelling my order for the Moto G which wasn't due to be in stock with Amazon until Friday when I got a dispatch notification this evening. Guess I'll be giving Android a whirl.

Ctrl Alt Del

Went to a Microsoft TEchcamp few days ago in CityWest.
The guy show us a slide with the most popular 50 world wide mobile applications.Two boxes were empty...
He said that "yesterday",Windows Phone had 48 and today,the last 2 applications have been made available /released in the store,therefore giving full 50 apps as on the other mobile OS.

Also,he had during presentation an "internal staff only" remote screen control /sharing application of his phone device on the laptop,i guess via wireless or Bluetooth !

fergiesfolly

Top 50. Out of thousands. Love my 820, but sick of the lack of uptake by developers to create apps for WP8.
The amount of times I've found an app on a cheap android, that's not available for any WP8 phone is ridiculous.

PaulieC

fergiesfolly wrote: »

Top 50. Out of thousands. Love my 820, but sick of the lack of uptake by developers to create apps for WP8.
The amount of times I've found an app on a cheap android, that's not available for any WP8 phone is ridiculous.

if you're missing an app, go badger the developers. Use the latest Kantar figures (UK only, but Ireland is most likely very similar) that state that WP has over 10% of the market and that it should be supported. It's only be letting these guys know that the demand is there that they will get their ass in gear

AntiVirus

Ctrl Alt Del wrote: »

Also,he had during presentation an "internal staff only" remote screen control /sharing application of his phone device on the laptop,i guess via wireless or Bluetooth !

Could that be the Nokia Beamer app?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0ExfQXfYo

muff03

Anybody get soundclone working with Facebook login?

jimmynokia

AntiVirus wrote: »

Could that be the Nokia Beamer app?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0ExfQXfYo

Most likely handy app indeed it is.

Do-more

No Miracast or Widi apps for WP then?

AntiVirus

Do-more wrote: »

No use to you I am afraid, The alarm is called Verisure from a company called Securitas Direct who operate in 10 countries but not Ireland.

Looks like thats sorted now, they've just released the Windows Phone App

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-gb/store/app/verisure/288d51ad-945c-423c-af40-360bc9f45481

Etnies

Logmein - free version

Samsung smart tv remote - free ?

Topaz

Subway

Free step by step navigation that's compatible with 8S

Unity remote

Team stream

Ulster bank

Cineworld

Off remote - to turn off PC on a timer

Aldi / Lidl

Bbcplayer

Adverts

And the list goes on..

beauf

Whats you fav app for Dublin bikes. I've tried atnag bikes, Dublin Bikes, bike Now +, all seem slightly flawed. bcycl looks better but you have to buy it.

I generally want to plan my journey, before I get to the station. So are there bikes at station A and empty spaces at station B, if there are non at either I want the next closest. But I don't want to this from my current location as I might be on a train. They all seem to be fixated on locations beside you. And then they pick nearest station north south but not east west. The alternative is to use the map which then involves scrolling and clicking on the station. Which isn't generally as slick as it could be. bcycl has the concept of favourites which seem closest to what I want.

Anyway what do you use.