(public).sospep.subjects ~ view article ~ apps-third-party

<h1 style="text-align: center;">windows 8&nbsp;APPS third-party</h1>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[WHAT]</h2>
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<li>] this page LISTS a number of THIRD PARTY APPS that are currently available for the new <a href="/view/article?id=549#content" target="_blank">windows 8</a> operating system(o/s). I have&nbsp;CATEGORIZED the APPS into 1 of approximately 25 different application categories.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[WHY]</h2>
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<li>] This PAGE is NOT currently intended to be a REVIEW of APPS GUIDE or any type of comprehensive APPS listing site, just a page that points out some of the BETTER EXAMPLES that&nbsp;I have found of currently available windows windows 8 APPS.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[WHY NOT]</h2>
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<li>] This PAGE&nbsp;does NOT include any of the&nbsp;<a href="/view/article?id=929#content" target="_blank">native microsoft APPS</a>&nbsp;that ship with the OS like&nbsp;(mail, people, messenger, skydrive, music, photos, finance, bing, travel, ...) I have listed each of those on their own page, with a more comprehensive overview of each and a listing of alternative third party options.&nbsp;Some of those APPS could likely make the best in category list (finance, travel, music)</li>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[WHERE]</h2>
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<li>] these APPS are available though the STORE APP on any windows 8 / windows 8 RT device.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[WHEN]</h2>
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<li>] all apps listed are currently available</li>
</ol>
<h2>[EXAMPLEs - all apps are FREE, except 3 denoted with a $]</h2>
<ol>
<li>[audio]</li>
<ol>
<li>[streaming] tune-in</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC= streaming.audio - CONS slow to start stream</li>
</ol>
<li>[streaming] pRadio</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC= pandora client</li>
</ol>
<li>[streaming]&nbsp;iheartradio</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC= streaming.audio service,</li>
</ol>
<li>[streaming]&nbsp;slacker radio</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC= streaming.audio service</li>
</ol>
<li>[discovery] shazam</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC= audio search, search by soundclip,</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[books]</li>
<ol>
<li>[] wikipedia</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = nice new interface for "the wiki", an open source&nbsp;online encyclopedia&nbsp;</li>
<li>] CONS = problem with display of&nbsp;some tables</li>
</ol>
<li>[] WordBook</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC =</li>
<li>] PROS =</li>
</ol>
<li>[] kindle</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = ebook reader software, read your amazon book catalogue,</li>
</ol>
<li>[] free books </li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = 23,000+ library of free ebooks, PRICE=$2 * apparently there is an unlimited free trial period</li>
</ol>
<li>[] book bazaar reader</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = ebook source aggragator and reader, free&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[business]</li>
<ol>
<li>[finances] invoice 360</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC = create invoices in PDF,</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[communication] mail, messaging, voice</li>
<ol>
<li>[suites] skype </li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = voice, video and text communcations</li>
<li>] PROS =</li>
<li>] CONS = merges your skype account with your ms account, always on (no way to sign out) , integrates with the native People app contacts</li>
</ol>
<li>[mail] yahoo mail</li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;DESC = email client for</li>
</ol>
<li>[instant messaging] im+ </li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = multi-network instant messenging client with support for most of the top instant messaging services out there, including Google Talk, ICQ, AIM, Yahoo Messenger, or Jabber. Also&nbsp;supports microsoft messenging and facebook messenging that the native app supports</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[diet]</li>
<ol>
<li>[recipes] allrecipes</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC =</li>
</ol>
<li>[recipes] epicurious</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC =</li>
</ol>
<li>[recipes]&nbsp;cocktail flow</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = recipe book for cocktails, very stylish app design,</li>
</ol>
<li>[calculator]&nbsp;Nutrition Calculator</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = app to calculate the nutritional values of the fooditems that you are consuming</li>
</ol>
<li>[ratings]&nbsp;urbanspoon</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = restaurant rating guidebook,</li>
</ol>
<li>[ratings] yelp</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[education]</li>
<ol>
<li>] khan academy&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>] answers.com</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>] how-stuff-works</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[entertainment] &amp; lifestyle &amp;&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>[lifestyle] oprah winfrey network</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>[lifestyle]&nbsp;allure</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>[blogs] stumbleUpon</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC client for popular website,</li>
</ol>
<li>[gaming] smartglass xBox companion</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC&nbsp;works with your xbox, use your pc as a secondary display to ouput additionaly info to enhance your gaming experience, use the pc interface to launch the xbox apps</li>
<li>] CONS =&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[movies] movie guide</li>
<ol>
<li>] &nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[music] music maker jam</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>[music] top music videos</li>
<ol>
<li>] browse and stream the current top music videos from youtube</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[file-Storage]</li>
<ol>
<li>] box.com</li>
<ol>
<li>cloud storage service,</li>
</ol>
<li>] dropbox.com</li>
<ol>
<li>cloud storage service,</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;fluffy app</li>
<ol>
<li>simple file sharing</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;? all storage ?</li>
<ol>
<li>] manage multiple cloud storage accounts with this app</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[games]</li>
<ol>
<li>[all] time best windows 8 game</li>
<ol>
<li>] ? your choice is .....</li>
</ol>
<li>[] jetpack joyride</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC</li>
</ol>
<li>[arcade] pinball fx2</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC</li>
</ol>
<li>[blowUp] rocket riot 3D</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC,&nbsp;$5&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[word] wordament</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[card] solitaire HD</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[strategy] free Soduku</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC</li>
</ol>
<li>[strategy] reversi free</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC othello like game</li>
</ol>
<li>[strategy] wheres my water?</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC</li>
</ol>
<li>[strategy] flow</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[images]</li>
<ol>
<li>] perfect 365</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC lightweight, easy to use, photo editor,</li>
</ol>
<li>] skitch</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC annotate and markup your images</li>
</ol>
<li>] fresh paint</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC drawing, sketching,</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;sketchbook</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC drawing, sketching awesomeness, by AutoDesk</li>
</ol>
<li>] physamig</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC generate images with&nbsp;patterns using physics,&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[money]</li>
<ol>
<li>] xe currency</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC currency conversion</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;all about money</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC personal budget program</li>
</ol>
<li>]</li>
<ol>
<li>] ..</li>
</ol>
<li>]</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>]</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[news content]</li>
<ol>
<li>[publisher] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f8d941cf-79d0-4e7c-ac5a-b78b53d83f92" target="_blank">USA Today</a></li>
<ol>
<li>DESC = app for mainstream news, usa perspective</li>
<li>ALTS = &nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[publisher] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f33ac02e-65bc-4ec3-b8bc-57f553504637" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a></li>
<ol>
<li>DESC = news with focus on us business,</li>
<li>ALTS = ] financial Times, ] the Economist ]</li>
</ol>
<li>[publisher] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/f06168ad-75b8-4de0-8108-13bafba3287f" target="_blank">BBC news</a></li>
<ol>
<li>DESC=</li>
<li>ALTS =</li>
</ol>
<li>[publisher]&nbsp;<a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/a2dddb8f-702a-4f31-b0cb-60f3c8c0eef7" target="_blank">drudge news</a></li>
<ol>
<li>DESC = Use Drudge Reader for a quick and easy way to view pictures and articles from the official Drudge Report website. Keeping with the style of the Drudge Report, we kept this app simple and familiar for Drudge fans. The Drudge Report web site is published by Matt Drudge and covers a myriad of the latest breaking news and world events. Matt Drudge is a pioneer in news and his website is the ultimate site for the news that matters most.</li>
<li>ALTS =</li>
</ol>
<li>[publisher] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/9830028f-d49c-4eb6-b687-03d02ba3b915" target="_blank">huffington post</a> </li>
<ol>
<li>DESC = articles, photos, videos and blogs in a dynamic and personalized experience. By customizing your settings, you can be a part of the conversation on the topics that matter most to you -- from politics, business and technology, to fashion, entertainment, lifestyle and healthy living. Featuring real-time updates from HuffPost's Pulitzer-prize winning newsroom, the app lets you share your favorite stories with friends in your social networks. Navigate with ease through all of HuffPost&rsquo;s stories, blog posts, photos, and breaking news from the site&rsquo;s wide array of sections, including politics, entertainment, comedy, tech, business, sports, books, health, and much more.</li>
<li>ALTS = &nbsp;</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[news readers]</li>
<ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/e62e393a-acc9-40d9-a34a-13a41f2eeef0" target="_blank">Flipboard</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] Flipboard a much loved app - As its name implies, in it you simply flip through the pages of a personalized custom magazine the app creates for you based on interests you specify. Flipboard draws its content from top news and information sources such as the BBC, National Geographic, Time, the New York Times, and many more. The modern-style Windows 8.1 version lets you save stories, search, and share to social networks. Its home screen tile displays a thumbnail photo and summary text of top stories waiting for you. </li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/app/7d008fc1-8f63-4283-8297-33471fc2b882" target="_blank">news bento</a></li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;reader for many top&nbsp;tech web site, nicely laid out,&nbsp;highly customizable and option to easilyy to add your own favorite RSS feeds</li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/app/30648d7a-f0b5-4719-8ca9-7ed6ce3b4b9b" target="_blank">nextgen&nbsp;</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] paid app $3&nbsp;but apparently&nbsp;has an unlimited free trial period,</li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/app/30648d7a-f0b5-4719-8ca9-7ed6ce3b4b9b" target="_blank">news republic</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] aggragator app for news</li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] pulse</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/app/7c6eca62-7ac4-4f9c-bcfd-0355807f3a95" target="_blank">news 360</a> </li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[reader] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/62531195-816b-4a42-8962-bce669036645" target="_blank">weave</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = Weave is a news reader that lets you follow any website or blog you are interested in at any time. We provide a huge set of built-in news sources grouped by categories such as technology, world events, gaming, etc. From there, you can search for any other site you want to add.</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[productivity]</li>
<ol>
<li>] onenote</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC - Personal Information Management System(PIMS), all your notes on everything, organized</li>
</ol>
<li>] evernote&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC - PIMS, all your notes on everything, organized,</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;docstoc</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC -</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;todos</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC - simple to-do list,</li>
</ol>
<li>]</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[security]</li>
<ol>
<li>] norton satellite&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ..</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[shopping]</li>
<ol>
<li>] ebay&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC online auction site</li>
</ol>
<li>] amazon</li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;DESC online purchase site</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ..</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[social]</li>
<ol>
<li>[twitter] metrotwit&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] twitter client - alternatives = ]&nbsp;tweetro,&nbsp;]&nbsp;rowi &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[suites] fliptoast</li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;DESC enables posting to multiple social sites (facebook, twitter, ...&nbsp;)</li>
</ol>
<li>[facebook] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/facebook/ADD3D66A-358D-4FE2-BE68-8A3F934E9EA1" target="_blank">Facebook</a> (official)</li>
<ol>
<li>] You can et some Facebook functionality in Windows 8's built-in People app, but this official <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426573,00.asp" target="_blank">Facebook app</a> offers a much better experience of the social network of record. Quite a few other Facebook apps are available in the Windows Store, but Facebook offers a well-designed snap sidebar view. Easily navigate your news feed, photos, friends, messages, notifications, and events. Its Start menu tile shows your important contacts' latest updates and lock screen notifications let you know when fresh messages, wall posts, and other interactions arrive. </li>
</ol>
<li>[reddit] reddhub </li>
<ol>
<li>] stylish client app for browing reddit</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>[sports]</li>
<ol>
<li>] espn&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC sports news and videos, major us&nbsp;media outlet covering NBA, NFL,US COLLEGE,&nbsp;NHL, AUTO RACING&nbsp;notifications,</li>
</ol>
<li>] sports illustrated&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC sports news and videos,</li>
</ol>
<li>] tsn.ca&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC sports news and video, canadian sports media outlet covering NHL, NBA, NFL, CFL &nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;mls</li>
<ol>
<li>DESC major league soccer, standings, teams, scores, news, videos</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;bike route explorer</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[travel]</li>
<ol>
<li>] flight aware</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC flight tracker</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;kayak</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC travel flight/hotel/ booking</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;expedia</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC travel flight/hotel/ booking</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[utilities.windows]</li>
<ol>
<li>] windows 8 toolbox&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC some utilitie apps that are NOT currently included in the OS, including ] voice notes, ] clocks,&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>] remote desktop</li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;windows 8&nbsp;tips / keyboard shortcuts&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;tile genie</li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC create custom start screen tiles using your own photos/images</li>
</ol>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li>] ...</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[video content]</li>
<ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/939f9513-a8fc-4c0a-81b5-898e16a9970d" target="_blank">primeTube</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = youtube client, browse youtube videos, upload, Access YouTube from your Windows 8 tablet, desktop, and laptop. an immersive experience to search, watch and manage your YouTube videos. Add videos to the download queue and PrimeTube saves them in the background so that you can watch when you wish without hitting your bandwidth limit.</li>
</ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/aa71044c-c4b9-4a9c-96fa-2ab6f9d716c8" target="_blank">Hyper</a> </li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = youtube client,&nbsp;search, download, save videos, mp3. Hyper for YouTube is a clean, fully featured YouTube application and downloader. Features, Create and save Playlists. Download videos as MP3 or MP4. Type to search from any screen in the app. Customize the app to your liking.&nbsp; Supports multiple YouTube user accounts. Uninterrupted background playback.</li>
<li>] CONS =</li>
</ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/d8d75bb2-c5cd-44f2-8c26-c1d1ae5b13fa" target="_blank">netflix</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = streaming movies and television with $ paid subscription</li>
<li>] CONS = limited content, N/A in all areas, $, streaming speed issues with some ISP's(comcast,...)</li>
</ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/ad77e4ed-0398-4f5b-a41e-88973007dca1" target="_blank">hulu plus</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = streaming movies and television with $ paid subscription</li>
<li>] CONS = N/A in all areas,&nbsp;$</li>
</ol>
<li>[streaming] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/6c78d609-5533-43cb-9e32-656f8956de0a" target="_blank">flixster</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = When you're looking for a movie to watch, there's no better solution than Flixster. The Windows 8 app from this cinematic informer is well-designed, letting you view playing and upcoming flicks and DVDs by current box office hits, local theater showings. uses the very reliable Rotten Tomatoes ratings, which are a pretty good indication of whether the film is a dud or a dream. Each movie's page also shows the synopsis, cast, journalist reviews, and trailer playing. </li>
<li>] CONS - One downside was that tickets for most movies can't be purchased through the app. Another is the lack of Ultraviolet integration.</li>
</ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/fd364f95-bb69-42e0-b2f6-1f8b706def48" target="_blank">nfb</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = national film board of canada, quality FREE short films in HD, documentary, educational - With NFB Films, you can watch over 2000 movies &ndash; documentaries, animations and trailers FREE on your Windows 8 PC or tablet. FEATURES: *WATCH over 2000 NFB movies *SEARCH the NFB&nbsp; collection&nbsp; *CHANNELS &ndash; Browse films by channel/subject&nbsp; *FAVOURITES &ndash; Bookmark your favourite films *SHARE &ndash; share your discoveries with your friends.</li>
<li>] CONS =</li>
</ol>
<li>[content] <a href="http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/5067f8e2-64f7-4a3d-9664-999b4cf35213" target="_blank">TED</a></li>
<ol>
<li>] DESC = TED's official app presents talks from some of the world's most fascinating people: education radicals, tech geniuses, medical mavericks, business gurus, and music legends. Find more than 1700 TEDTalk videos and audios (with more added each week) on the official TED app -- now for Windows.</li>
<li>] CONS =</li>
</ol></ol>
<li>[new &amp; looks interesting]</li>
<ol>
<li>] alternative windows apps catalog</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>] political</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[popular]</li>
<ol>
<li>] google search (with voice input)</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[trending]</li>
<ol>
<li>] sketchbook</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<li>]</li>
</ol>
<li>[?recycle ?junk? dont waste your time]</li>
<ol>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]&nbsp;</li>
<li>]</li>
<li>]</li>
</ol></ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[HOW-TO]</h2>
<ol style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; font: 10px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
<li>] choosing apps</li>
<li>] installing apps</li>
<li>] review apps</li>
<li>] updating apps</li>
</ol>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; widows: 2; text-transform: none; font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; font-size: 1.5em; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">[REFERENCE]</h2>
<ol style="widows: 2; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; font: 10px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; letter-spacing: normal; color: #000000; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
<li>] windows 8 - app store - <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/apps#Cat=t1" target="_blank">http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/apps#Cat=t1</a></li>
<li>] <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/25-best-windows-8-apps-available-today-1075175" target="_blank">http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/25-best-windows-8-apps-available-today-1075175</a></li>
<li>] globe and mail -&nbsp;</li>
<li>]&nbsp;<a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-windows-8-apps/" target="_blank">http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-windows-8-apps/</a></li>
<li>] <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/25/3791922/best-apps-new-windows-pc" target="_blank">http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/25/3791922/best-apps-new-windows-pc</a></li>
<li>] http://greatwindowsapps.com</li>
<li>] <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2c2817%2c2415214%2c00.asp" target="_blank">http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2c2817%2c2415214%2c00.asp</a> - the top 35 best windows 8 apps</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
For music there's Xbox Music, Beats Music and Spotify which have apps accross all platforms.
For videos there's Xbox Video, Netflix and Flixster. which also has apps accross multiple platforms.
For books, there's Amazon Kindle, with apps accross all OSes too. In my humble opinion, none of the Google services are superior to those I have mentioned, but you are already locked in, yet there are still options for you:
Get DRM-stripping software to free all your music, videos and ebooks if possible. There's plenty of those to choose from on the internet and they will cost a LOT less than buying everything all over again. I personally freed all my iTunes music (it took a long time, days with the computer on just converting my protected music files to DRM-free MP3s) but now I am free to play my music anywhere without logging on to iTunes. I still keep an iPhone around for those occasional games that take a little longer to get ported to Windows Phone, but as of lately that just has been reduced to Simpson's Tapped Out, since all high profile releases lately are coming to both Windows Phone and Windows 8 at the same time.

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