The Windows 8 Apps You Have to Have

Now that Windows 8 and Windows RT have been out for about a month and a half, the Windows Store has started to get its fair share of nifty apps. I’ve included a few of my favourites down below. Which third-party apps do you find most useful and what apps are you still waiting for?

YouTube+
The YouTube+ app is truly fantastic. With all the key features of the core website in a clean and easy-to-use interface, the YouTube+ app is available in an ad-supported unlimited trial, or, alternatively, for $2.99 from the Windows Store. Playlist mode and a download feature (which I find particularly handy as a sort-of “offline” mode) are among my favourite features.

Nextgen Reader
I’ve been seeking a truly excellent Google Reader-compatible RSS feed reader since Windows 8 Developer Preview. I’ve gotten used to gReader on Android and truly loved its utility, but on my Windows devices I ultimately found myself sticking with a Chrome extension called Google Reader Notifier. I’d tried News Bento and several other RSS readers, but was ultimately unsatisfied. Nextgen Reader, on the other hand, has been nothing but a joy to use. It loads quickly and displays feed information well. There is an unlimited, ad-free trial, but you can also support the developer by purchasing the app for $2.99 on the Windows Store.

TuneIn
Though Pandora is popular and quite useful, I’ve recently found myself enjoying the large selection of music stations made available through TuneIn. In particular, Cinemix has been a now near-constant addition to my everyday music listening.


PuzzleTouch
Though the main interface for the app is ad-infested, the main app works impressively well. PuzzleTouch is exactly what it sounds like: a puzzle app. You can use built-in puzzles or craft your own by using images stored on your computer.

Google
Google is a nifty app for searching--and for quick links to all the various Google services.

Stuff I’m still waiting for:

Google Drive
While there is a handy link to the web version of Google Drive in the Google app, the friendliness and cleanliness of a dedicated app is something I currently am hopeful for.

Google+
I love Google+, and the Google+ app for Android is simply fantastic. Something similar for Windows 8 and RT would be a welcome addition.

VLC
VLC for Windows 8 (and Windows Phone 8) is currently in development and is even seeking funds via Kickstarter to give the project a boost. VLC is my primary media player for DVDs, and I’d love to see this in all its Modern UI glory.