If you're like me, the first thing you do after purchasing a new smartphone is visit the corresponding app store to check out what you can download on the cheap. Android and iOS may get garner the lion's share of app attention due to their marketshare, but there are also plenty of apps to choose from if you're a Windows Phone 7 owner. In fact, there are plenty of free Windows Phone 7 apps available in the Windows Phone Marketplace that will keep you entertained, informed, and organized.
The Windows Phone 7 operating system, for those who aren't familiar with it, is the impressive successor to the awful Windows Mobile platform. The new mobile OS is radically different from its predecessor; it uses Microsoft’s slick, tile-based “Metro” design (a vital component in Windows 8) as its core design element.
Its latest update, Windows Phone 7.5 (otherwise known as "Mango"), features increased app functionality in the form of improved Live Tiles (which now serve up even more app-specific data), App Connect (includes relevant apps that you already have on your phone in Bing results, and recommends others), Intelligent Multitasking (you can, for example, pause a game to send a text), and Xbox Live multiplayer support. The only downside? Microsoft is slowly rolling out Mango, so your phone may not have the new operating system.
Regardless of the flavor of your Windows Phone 7 handset, however, the Windows Phone Marketplace contains over 30,000 apps and games, many of them free of cost.
The following slideshow highlights our favorite free apps for your Windows Phone 7 handset.
As always, feel free to chime in with your own favorite free Windows Phone 7 apps in the comment section below.
The Windows Phone 7 operating system, for those who aren't familiar with it, is the impressive successor to the awful Windows Mobile platform. The new mobile OS is radically different from its predecessor; it uses Microsoft’s slick, tile-based “Metro” design (a vital component in Windows 8) as its core design element.
Its latest update, Windows Phone 7.5 (otherwise known as "Mango"), features increased app functionality in the form of improved Live Tiles (which now serve up even more app-specific data), App Connect (includes relevant apps that you already have on your phone in Bing results, and recommends others), Intelligent Multitasking (you can, for example, pause a game to send a text), and Xbox Live multiplayer support. The only downside? Microsoft is slowly rolling out Mango, so your phone may not have the new operating system.
Regardless of the flavor of your Windows Phone 7 handset, however, the Windows Phone Marketplace contains over 30,000 apps and games, many of them free of cost.
The following slideshow highlights our favorite free apps for your Windows Phone 7 handset.
As always, feel free to chime in with your own favorite free Windows Phone 7 apps in the comment section below.
AllRecipes
Chefs and foodies, this is the app for you. AllRecipes brings thousands of top-rated recipes to your Windows Phone 7 handset. This Mango-optimized app lets you multitask, pin a Live Tile to the home screen (which updates with a fresh recipe on a daily basis), and pin individual recipes to the home screen.
Amazon
Amazon's free Windows Phone 7 app lets you search for items, compare prices, make purchases, and more from the convenience of your smart phone. Current Amazon customers can access their existing shopping carts, wish lists, payment and shipping options, order histories, 1-Click settings, and Prime membership benefits. Simply put, if you shop Amazon on your desktop or laptop, you need this app.
Evernote
Popular notetaking and archiving software and service Evernote comes to Windows Phone 7. The Mango-powered now lets you pin template tiles to the home screen (so you can create a new note with a single screen tap) and sync data in the background. It’s easily one of the best Mango productivity apps for folks looking to get things done.
Foursquare
Love it or hate it, you can’t have an apps marketplace without Foursquare, the popular location-based social network that lets users “check in” to various locations around town. Foursquare’s new Windows Phone 7.5 Mango support brings multitasking and Live Tiles that let you pin “places” and “specials” to your phone’s home screen for fast access.
Movies by Flixster
Film fans who want to stay on top of the latest Hollywood happenings should check out Flixter. The free app lets you plan movie nights by serving up trailers, showtimes, and Rotten Tomatoes-powered critic reviews. Now compatible with Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, Movies by Flixster brings multitasking, Bing mobile search integration, and the ability to pin favorite movies and theaters to the home screen as live tiles.
Netflix
Sure, mobile movie watching is best done on a laptop or tablet, but a phone can work in a pinch. Netflix subscribers would do well to check out the official Windows Phone 7 Netflix app. The free install lets movie fans stream TV and movie content from Netflix' deep well of Instant Watch content, resume watching a program that was interrupted on a TV or PC, and browse and manage queues on their handsets.
Pocket Recorder Sound + Recording Hub
Need to quickly capture audio on your Windows Phone 7 handheld? The free Pocket Recorder Sound + Recording Hub transforms your phone into a mini recording studio where you lay down and edit audio. Now compatible with Windows Phone 7 Mango, the app now lets you create ringtones from your recordings, pin them as tiles to your start menu, and many more features.
Slacker Radio
The PCMag.com Editors' Choice award-winning Slacker Radio makes the leap to Windows Phone 7 in the form of a free app featuring over 150 expertly programmed genre stations. The app lets entertainment-seekers stream an excellent mix of comedy and music channels that they can customize to their liking by either favoriting or banning artists and tracks. New to the Slacker Radio app is Windows Phone 7.5 Mango multitasking support that keeps the audio flowing in the background when you open another app.
TuneIn Radio
TuneIn Radio lets you listen to over 50,000 talk and music broadcasts without opening your wallet. The free app differs from the likes of Slacker Radio in that it streams live local and international audio from sources such as the BBC and NPR. Windows Phone 7.5 Mango multitasking functionality lets you listen to audio while tinkering with other apps, and pin individual stations to the home screen.
WP7Applist
Yup, we're about to get a bit meta. WP7Applist is a free app that helps you track other apps. With it, you can follow new app releases, app updates, price drops, and apps that have gone from paid to free. W7Applist lets you filter by price, and even ranks apps based on their ratings in Windows Phone 7's American, Italian, and British marketplaces. If you're looking to stay on top of the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, this is one you should download now.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment