The touch interface of Windows 8 is relatively new, and so developers are still discovering how to get the most from this next-generation software. For users, that means many familiar desktop applications do not have a touchscreen equivalent yet.
Despite this, Windows 8 has more touchscreen apps than you might at first expect. In our top 25 we'll show you some of the best -- including some hidden gems -- available now on the Windows Store. Most have double-width live tiles that are twice the size of normal tiles, making them great for providing detailed notifications directly to your Start Screen.
News & Reference
1. BBC News Mobile -- Free
The unofficial BBC News Mobile application presents all of the content available on the BBC's news site. It has a double-width Live Tile showing you the most read stories, and its main screen allows you to set the news categories most relevant to your interests.
2. NextGen Reader -- £2.19
NextGen Reader is the best Google Reader client available, not just on Windows 8, but on Windows Phone 7 and 8 too. This app has a double-width live tile showing previews of the latest stories, feeds and folders can be pinned too. You can also add your unread count to the lock screen.
3. Star Chart -- £0.99
Star Chart is an astronomy guide full of beautifully animated graphics of celestial objects. Its double-width live tile, which displays upcoming astronomy events, will make sure you never miss the next meteor shower.
4. Wikipedia -- Free
This Windows 8 touch iteration of the collaborative encyclopedia saves you resorting to your browser and integrates with the search and Share Charms (the slim bar of icons that can be dragged in from the right). It presents information in a similar format to the desktop website, but text is shown in columns which you scroll across horizontally.
5. CNET -- Free
Since you're here reading CNET, you might just like to have the site in app form too. The official CNET app mixes news, editorial, video and reviews all into one place. All the product categories are just a right-click away, or a swipe from the top bezel on touchscreens.
6. Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Free
Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) has been posting new astronomy photos with an educational description every day since 1995. The key benefit of the Windows 8 app is that it can automatically change the lock screen wallpaper. The app also links directly through to the APOD website, so you can read about the daily image.
Entertainment
7. TVCatchup -- Free
TVCatchup is a service that streams live Freeview TV, the co-founder of which we interviewed a few years back. With its Windows 8 app you can watch live telly without using a browser. Its double-width live tile lists your most watched shows, and you can pin individual channels to the top.
8. YouTube RT -- £1.79
There are already some YouTube clients and downloaders available for Windows 8, but this does the best job of combining both roles. Videos can be streamed and downloaded in high definition. The main page of the application has sections for your subscriptions, trending, recently featured, most shared, most popular, favourites and watch later videos.
9. Kindle -- Free
This official Kindle app will be familiar to anyone who has used the Kindle Web service. The app allows you to stream books from the cloud or download to your device. Tapping the Kindle Store heading will launch your Web browser, though.
10. eBay Store -- Free
The official eBay app allows you to browse and search through items, and view their description and photos. When you click on the bid or buy buttons though, the app will launch the relevant eBay page in your browser.
Social
11. Skype -- Free
The touch version of Skype is attractively designed and supports instant messaging, plus voice and video calling. It has a double-width live tile that shows the last instant message you received. This version of Skype is still a work in progress, and so is missing the ability to transfer files, and the notification system is inconsistent.
12. TweeterLight -- £2.19
There are a few Twitter apps already for Windows 8 touch, such as MetroTwit and Tweetro+ -- they all tend to minimize the amount of tweets you can see at one time though. TweeterLight is a new Twitter app that fills your screen with tweets. The app still needs some work, but it already stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Utilities
13. Clipboard -- Free
There are several clipboard managers available for Windows 8 touch, but only Clipboard integrates with the Share Charm (the. Rather than sending a link or text directly into another app, you can transport it directly to the clipboard for use anywhere.
14. Calculator2 -- Free
Calculator2 has several modes -- basic, scientific or business. The app is made to snap into the Windows 8 sidebar, but when in full screen, the right-hand side displays a history of your calculations, which are also shown on its live tile.
15. Windows Phone -- Free
Windows Phone is the official companion app from Microsoft and provides a tiled interface for browsing and adding content to your phone, and automatically importing photos and videos.
16. All My Storage Pro -- £2.19
All My Storage Pro is a cloud storage application for accessing your files stored on Dropbox, SkyDrive and Box. The 'sans Pro' version is free and ad supported. This app lets you upload and download files and view image thumbnails.
17. Google Chrome -- Free
Many of us prefer Google Chrome for its cloud sync that lets you view your bookmarks and tabs on other devices. This version of Chrome works in the Windows 8 touch interface, and it can switch into desktop mode when necessary. It is not, however, compatible with any Windows RT devices, such as Microsoft's own Surface tablet.
18. Google Search -- Free
This official Google Search app has a locally stored search history, shortcuts to Google Web apps (eg Gmail), and boasts voice input for when you want to pretend you're in Star Trek. Again, this is a PC only touch app.
Productivity
19. CodePlus -- £2.19
If you're a developer, you need a colour-coded text editor so you can easily see what's what. CodePlus brings exactly the many-hued interface you need to Windows 8.
20. OneNote -- Free
If you use Microsoft's cloud-based note-taking solution, then you'll love the touch version of OneNote. This app splits notebooks, sections and pages into columns, and its text editor has a novel circular menu for formatting control.
21. LastPass -- Free
If you've read our guide on using LastPass, you might be interested to discover that there's an official client for Windows 8 too. The app lets you browse the web securely and automatically logs you in to websites and fills in forms.
22. Package Tracker -- £2.18
If you regularly send and receive parcels, Package Tracker is perfect for keeping track of everything. It has a double-width live tile and can show push notifications on the Windows 8 lock screen. It also synchronises with its Windows Phone counterpart.
Games
23. ARMED! -- Free
ARMED! is a futuristic turn-based strategy game. You can play against the computer, or be matched against an online player. Gameplay isn't in real-time though -- think of it more like playing chess by post.
24. Cut The Rope -- Free
Super-cute Cut The Rope has been on Android and iOS for quite a while, but now you can play it on your Windows 8 desktop or tablet too.
25. Wordament -- Free
Wordament, the perpetual spelling tournament, pits you against hundreds of people all trying to find as many words as possible in a four-by-four grid of random letters.
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Comments 15
Add your comment
Lucas Baker 25 January, 2013 21:05
Just downloaded a majority of these :D
anonymous 27 January, 2013 10:06
Top 25 apps for windows8 more like the only apps for windows8, upgraded my PC w8 and didn't have it on for more than a week, what a load of fwking crap, absolutely useless went back to using w7, in fact I would rather use windows xp than w8, xp pro was awesome in its day why can't Microsoft make another is as good as that....
PeterDC 27 January, 2013 10:29
Some more to try :
ESPN Cricinfo
TuneIn Radio
XE Currency
CopyAndPaste
Fotor
Music Maker Jam
Bing Finance
anonymous 28 January, 2013 00:39
Debt Tracker is pretty cool too.
Davy Milligan 29 January, 2013 00:58
Oh how I laughed at such genuine frustration,, he he he, the real pain in this guys statement... I want to hold him in a very high and shush him to sleep... It's okay little fella... keep rockin , the pain will die away..... eventually... I promise... Lol @ anonymous 10.16... my oh my, just stop it... this guy is so phissed off... anyway, *getting it together*.., where were we ? Windows 8 ahh WTF, don't start me again.... lololololo
anonymous 29 January, 2013 01:27
At above comment, who are you aiming you're comment at because there's no comments made @anonymous 10:16....lol
Mark Anderson 29 January, 2013 21:29
"absolutely useless went back to using w7"
Of course you did, darling.
anonymous 30 January, 2013 22:53
Some more to try :
Checkers 2D (9/10)
Soccer 2D (9/10)
anonymous 1 February, 2013 20:55
At the risk of being spammy, my company has created a unique trivia challenge app called Gridiculous for Win8. It's available in paid and ad-supported versions; please check it out at:
http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/app/gridiculous/1ae8133b-1d8d-4df4-a8e6-453a8dc641a3
Or search for Gridiculous at the Windows 8 App Store on your desktop.
Thanks much!
warrencoles 5 February, 2013 05:55
Linpus Gesture2Launch is an interesting app that makes it quicker and easier to launch apps on windows 8. Map actions and apps to a simple gesture and write anywhere on the screen to launch.
http://www.linpus.com/downloads_g2l_info.html
anonymous 7 March, 2013 04:28
awesome windows 8 apps, We are also developing some of windows 8 apps
Click here to know Windows 8 application development
anonymous 15 March, 2013 12:40
chrome runs like crap on win8 touch. far worse that opera etc. in fact the only browser that works well is IE10. yes, i am as shocked and stunned as everyone else.
you cannot pinch to zoom. half the time i try to click on a button is does nothing. i have to use task manager to even close it down.
possibly due to me using 150% desktop size as my tablet is 1080x1920 and only 11.6" screen
anonymous 6 April, 2013 01:53
Check out these other Great Windows 8 apps
source: http://fbappointments.com/index.php/consumer-products/computers/windows/75-must-have-windows-8-apps
anonymous 29 April, 2013 08:20
Live cricket matches...anyone knw any app
Siennaamelia81 13 June, 2013 09:26
Good Collection of Apps list, these are apps for desktop and tablets,would like to know something for windows 8 phone. Skype, last pass are really worth for desktop, Skype supported on windows 8 mobile, and Last pass supports all OS, like android, iOS and Windows. If windows 8 mobile developers concentrate on mobile platforms then it would be great.