Windows 10 Apps You Really Need to Use
Microsoft has done a big job with its new Universal Apps for Windows 10. While some developers are in no rush to join the bandwagon, some have developed new versions of their apps just for Windows 10 and are worth taking a look at.
The new Universal Style apps you can find in the Windows Store are still fairly new, and not all of them are as powerful as their traditional counterparts. However, Windows 10 apps have several major benefits:
- They can be updated through the Windows Store. One of the biggest problems with Windows is the lack of a centralized way to update applications. With Windows 10 apps, you can update them through the Microsoft store, which is not only easier, but also safer.
- They work well with built-in media controls. Windows 10 has improved the way the on- screen media controls work. Every time you adjust the volume or use the media button on your keyboard, you will see a popup that shows what is playing and gives you a volume meter, play / pause, next and back buttons. This automatically gives apps like Netflix and Plex an edge over their browsers.
- The default interfaces support touch input. Most Windows computers do not support touch, but there have been many more in recent years. Some of them are even pretty cute . If you’re using Windows on a touchscreen device, you’ll love these apps.
- They look great. This may sound a little shallow, but even though Windows 10 is starting to look better than its predecessors, older apps still use an outdated and complex design. Some apps may be easier or more enjoyable to use in the new Windows 10 style, even if their older counterparts have more features.
Of course, the big downside to Windows 10 apps is that Microsoft’s design language still is n’t perfect for every app. While some have made good use of what Microsoft has to offer, many feel constrained or constrained by the style that Microsoft is striving for. That being said, here are some of the best we’ve found that have a pretty cool Windows 10 experience.
Netflix
Netflix tends to have its own UI style for all platforms, so its Windows 10 app probably looks the least out of place. It has large easy-to-touch buttons that also look great on a home theater or second monitor. You can also use the keyboard media controls to make it easier to pause, skip forward, or turn down the volume in the middle of a show. Of course, if you prefer to use your browser, you can also customize it with our Flix Plus extension .
Plex
Plex is one of our favorite apps for streaming your media, and it works great as a Windows 10 app. The large poster and thumbnails make it a great home theater app for your PC or just browsing your library. The media controls also work natively with the app, which sets it apart from the Plex web interface. The design also largely matches Plex on other platforms, so it should be easy for Plex veterans to navigate.
VLC
VLC has always been known for being able to play anything but its interface. It does, however, have a great app designed for Windows 10 that, frankly, looks much better than the regular VLC Windows app. Unlike the basic VLC app, you can use it to manage your media library, including album covers, thumbnails, and cover photos. It doesn’t have as rich a set of features as a regular application , but for most basic tasks this is not necessary. It just needs to play video and audio files and this one does a great job.
Adobe photoshop express
When it comes to free photo editors, smartphones have all the fun. Adobe Photoshop Express finally shares the love of desktop users. This free app can do basic fixes like cropping, color correction, adding filters and noise reduction in an ultra-simple interface. It won’t replace the more professional Photoshop CS6 or anything, but if you need basic photo editing this will do the job.
Wunderlist
Wunderlist has been one of our favorite Windows to-do list apps for a while. Few developers have taken advantage of Microsoft’s promise of universal apps like Wunderlist. The app not only looks great, but it also automatically adjusts to the size of your window, optimizing available space on the fly. Reduce the size of the window for a leaner interface. Use a larger window and you have more buttons and more room to work. While a typical Windows 7-style app works in a similar way, it also lacks some features, such as logging in with Google or the benefits of a universal app (such as updating through the Windows Store), making this version the obvious choice for Wunderlist users.
Dropbox
Dropbox usually doesn’t have an app in the traditional sense. It’s just a sync service running in the background. However, the Windows 10 Dropbox app is a complete file manager and browser. You can view your folders, preview files, and manage Dropbox settings such as camera uploads and account security.
Calendar (standard app)
The built-in Microsoft Calendar application (simply called Calendar) is one of the best out-of-the-box applications. You can use this app to manage your Outlook, Exchange, Google or iCloud calendars. It also looks great, which isn’t easy on a calendar. It also works with the new Windows 10 Notification Center, so you can get desktop alerts when an important meeting is coming up. It even works great with Cortana on your desktop .
One note
OneNote takes a different approach to taking notes than our beloved Evernote for taking notes, but it’s still pretty powerful . The OneNote app for Windows 10 also gives a good look at what Windows 10 apps might look like in the future. It uses a ribbon-like menu, but without the clutter and confusion of all the tiny icons stuck in the small space that usually ruins the ribbon interface. If you’re already a OneNote user or just want something nicer than WordPad to jot down your material, OneNote is pretty stellar.
Xbox
If you own an Xbox (and even if you don’t ), the Windows 10 Xbox app is incredible. You can check your profile, chat with friends, start voice chat, and even record your games with this app that’s already built into Windows. Actually, the game recording functions are not limited to Xbox games or even games. So it’s even handy if you just need a basic screen recorder app.