Whether you are looking to get more productive at your workplace, or simply planning to stay fit; whether you are looking to enhance your imaging skills or just wanting to have an impressive gaming experience, Microsoft Windows Phone Store has something for everyone. From the 300,000 odd apps on its virtual shelves, all tested and certified, we have compiled an exclusive list of must-have apps in the region. Skim through and enjoy the Windows Phone experience.
Table of Contents
PhotoMath
Mathematics is a dreaded subject for many of us. Thankfully, apps such as PhotoMath are here to provide the much-needed relief, breezing us through those gibberish-looking equations and logarithms. Touted to be world’s first camera calculator, all you need to do with PhotoMath is point the camera towards a mathematical expression, and the result instantly pops up on your screen. Alternatively, by pressing the steps button, you can view the full step-by-step solution to the problem. While children can use the app as a tool to learn the basics, parents can use it to check their children’s homework. PhotoMath currently supports basic arithmetics, fractions, decimal numbers, linear equations and several functions like logarithms.
Tetra LockScreen
Tetra LockScreen is a sleek app that brings widgets to your smartphone’s LockScreen. Essentially a Microsoft Garage project, Tetra LockScreen allows you to view your upcoming calendar events, your current location on a street map, while also access your stopwatch. It even has an activity tracker, which give users the ability to track their steps, distance or approximate number of calories burned, all in a fast, fluidic and intuitive interface. Each widget comes with its own configuration setting, and you can choose which widget to display on the screen. The app also provides options to change the Lock Screen background.
IcFlix
Take your favourite show or movie with you on-the-go with IcFlix. With this app, you can keep yourself constantly updated with instant streaming of Hollywood, Bollywood, and Jazwood (Arabic content) on your Windows Phone. Watch thousands of movies, TV series, documentaries, and cartoons with the press of a button. Hollywood streaming is available in the Middle East and North Africa; Jazwood is available worldwide; and Bollywood streaming is available worldwide, excluding India. All Lumia users across the Middle East get 1 month free unlimited access upon first activation.
Microsoft Health
They say ‘your health is in your hands’. With Microsoft Health app, it literally, definitely is! The Microsoft Health app for Windows Phone, with its soothing lavender, and easy-to-understand interface is aimed at enabling you to live a healthier life and be more productive in whatever you do. The app allows you to track your heart rate, steps, calorie burn, and sleep quality. You can maximize your fitness with Guided Workouts, 24-hour heart rate monitoring, and automatic activity counting, while also enhance productivity with email previews and calendar alerts at a glance. What more, you set take notes and set activity reminders with Windows personal assistant Cortana. The app can also be linked to the Microsoft Band.
Skype Qik
Sending texts and photos are passé. With Skype Qik, connect with your loved ones by sending them short video messages. The free video messaging app from Skype doesn’t ask for a Skype account; all you need to do is enter your mobile number, for the app to access your contacts and you are good to go.
With its clean, polished interface, Qik makes it extremely easy to create a group, shoot videos and swap them with just a few swipes. It even lets you erase your video right out of the chat!
4Effects
4Effects is an interesting app for Windows phone users who have a penchant for photography. Unlike other photo editing apps, 4Effects divides your photo into four parts and allows you to mix and match effects filters. When you first launch the app, you are welcomed by a series of introduction screens guiding you on using the application. Once you have selected your photo, you will have to crop the image so that you can divide it into four quarters. With over 40 different effects available, you can churn the creative wheels of your brain by creating different looking images out of a single image or a single image with different shades.
AC Pirates
From computers to consoles, and now to smartphones, Ubisoft’s massively successful franchise ‘Assassins Creed’ has indeed come a long way. In ‘Assassins Creed Pirates, you get to take on a role of a young and an ambitious pirate-Alonzo, who is eager to take on the fiercest of enemies. You’re tasked with using a ship to traverse the high seas, zone by zone, defeating challengers and enemy naval forces to eventually reach the far corner of the earth. The game features its own theatrical score which simply grows upon you. The graphics are beautiful with great attention to detail and the game brings out the competitive spirit in you.
Zombie Tsunami
Zombie Tsunami is an endless runner styled game where you race through the city, attacking unfortunate survivors and adding them to your ‘tsunami’ of hungry, hot-footed horrors. You begin with a single zombie running through the streets, chase down the living and add them to your chaotic procession of dashing undead. The more people you bite and add to your ranks, the longer the Zombie Tsunami can charge across the planet, eating everything in its way. You get eight different power-ups and bonuses across nine worldwide locations, with over three hundred missions to conquer. The gameplay is easy; you jump by tapping the screen to avoid pits and attacking people coming in your way. Beware! The game is highly addictive!
Wunderlist
At its most basic, Wunderlist is a list manager, for anything from must-see movies to grocery lists. However, what sets Wunderlist apart from other to-do list apps is its simple, intelligent design that faciliates hassle-free syncs between your devices-phone, tablet or computer. Whether you’re sharing a grocery list with a loved one, working on a project, or planning a vacation, Wunderlist makes it easy to share your lists and collaborate with everyone in your life. For the business class, you can create a project to-do, attach photos, PDs, presentations, and share work and delegate to-do to your workgroup. It also has a reminder feature that ensures you never miss a deadline.
Fast & Furious 6: the Game
Based on the sixth installment of the Fast and Furious film series, the players travel around the city, meeting characters from the movie and drag and drift their way to becoming the city’s top racer. For those not familiar with the drag race concept, the game offers a walk-through of the process. There are also drift races which are similar to drag races, however, mid-way, the gear shift lever is replaced by a dirft button. Winning races and completing challenges earns you credits which be used to purchase nearly everything in the game. The game is a fun experience and has created a craze among racing and Fast and Furious fans.
iDubai
The Dubai Municipality is an interactive smart channel for Dubai residents and the business community. The app contains a bunch of smart services and information ranging from; Plot Locator service to inquire about the status and use of lands, to Smart Public Services that covers requests to remove harmful weeds/trees, sewage withdrawal, waste collection service, removal of agricultural waste, animal’s examination/treatment, and bulk waste disposal. With the app, you can also apply for different notifications that are related to abandoned animals, water leakages, road and street cleanliness.
UAE Government Apps
In its efforts to become a smart city, UAE has set an example to the world by rolling out mobile applications for government departments across all its emirates. The UAE Government Apps is a ‘one-stop shop’ to download government apps for whichever emirate you desire. By providing a faster, modern, safe, and reliable way of accessing the UAE mgovernment (Smartgov) services, the apps are aimed to boost customer happiness and enhance user experience. The apps are divided as per the seven emirates and contain full Arabic support. It also contains push notification services, alerts users when a government releases a new app. Pertinently, the ‘Contact Us’ section serves as an effective channel to interact and hear out the views and suggestions of citizens.
Souq
The Souq.com app on the Windows platform is a mobile version of the popular e-shopping website based in the Middle East. The dedicated app provides you with a similar website experience, catering to all your needs, be it consumer electronics, fashion products, or household goods. The app allows you to pay using various payment methods-pay cash on delivery, pay online using your credit card, Visa, Master Card, Paypal or even by redeeming Neqaty loyalty points. What’s more, as part of its special offer, for every purchase of Lumia 535, users will receive a 20% discount on any purchase through the Souq app.
Box TV
BoxTV.com is the perfect place for all films and TV buffs. A premium video service, BoxTV brings to you the latest Bollywood and Hollywood movies, TV shows, and premium video content in one place in a highly optimized and world-class user experience. Users can watch more than 5000 hours of free movies and TV shows by simply setting up a new account or signing up through Facebook or Gmail. While its filter search makes it convenient to look out for your favorite genre/language, it also allows you to resume watching your movie from any device and in different video qualities. The app is running a special offer: for every purchase of a Lumia 535, users will receive a two-month unlimited access to Box TV for free.
