Which iOS apps do you need that are not available in the windows ecosystem?

[spinedoc77]

Just out of curiosity here I'd like to know which apps you guys all use on iOS that you don't find in the windows ecosystem. I'm finding that quite often when in discussion about windows versus iOS many if not most iOS users will fall back on the lack of apps on windows. I'd like to find out specifically which apps lacking in windows make it a crippling experience and keeps you on iOS. It's interesting that to me it seems as if Microsoft has all the consumption needs covered, and the word consumption is thrown out so much with the ipad. Things like books, video/movies, pdf readers, Office, email, web browser, pictures, cloud storage, etc etc are all well represented as apps in windows.

Don't flame me please, I'm genuinely curious and think it may make a good discussion and is worthy of its own thread.

 

[m98custom1212]

I hate itunes and I think Windows Phone 8 is simple and fast.

I think it's best OS for a phone IMO. I'm using a HTC ONE right now but I'm going back to a windows phone.

 

[Cnasty]

I am contemplating the Iconlike ATT phone whenever that is announced so great thread that I will follow.

I have messed around with a WP and really like the look and speed of it. Seems to run efficiently and no lag or stutter and weirdness like I seem to get with KitKat at times on a Samsung phone.

 

[rui no onna]

Just out of curiosity here I'd like to know which apps you guys all use on iOS that you don't find in the windows ecosystem. I'm finding that quite often when in discussion about windows versus iOS many if not most iOS users will fall back on the lack of apps on windows. I'd like to find out specifically which apps lacking in windows make it a crippling experience and keeps you on iOS. It's interesting that to me it seems as if Microsoft has all the consumption needs covered, and the word consumption is thrown out so much with the ipad. Things like books, video/movies, pdf readers, Office, email, web browser, pictures, cloud storage, etc etc are all well represented as apps in windows.

Hmm, I'd actually to know what apps are available on Windows phones and tablets for the following tasks:

• DRM-free EPUB Reader (comparable to Moon Reader on Android or Marvin on iOS)
• Comic Reader (comparable to Perfect Viewer on Android or ComicGlass on iOS)

I've tried WP7 a couple years back and the app selection at the time was pretty abysmal. Another issue is trying to search for apps. I often get a ton of irrelevant results when I search for apps on the Windows app store. I have an iPad, Nexus 7 and Transformer T100. The T100 gets used the least and when I do use it, I always end up using it in netbook mode instead of tablet.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Hmm, I'd actually to know what apps are available on Windows phones and tablets for the following tasks:

• DRM-free EPUB Reader (comparable to Moon Reader on Android or Marvin on iOS)
• Comic Reader (comparable to Perfect Viewer on Android or ComicGlass on iOS)

I've tried WP7 a couple years back and the app selection at the time was pretty abysmal. Another issue is trying to search for apps. I often get a ton of irrelevant results when I search for apps on the Windows app store. I have an iPad, Nexus 7 and Transformer T100. The T100 gets used the least and when I do use it, I always end up using it in netbook mode instead of tablet.

Here ya go. I just did a quick search in my 1520 and got these top results:

 

[Lloydbm41]

Just out of curiosity here I'd like to know which apps you guys all use on iOS that you don't find in the windows ecosystem. I'm finding that quite often when in discussion about windows versus iOS many if not most iOS users will fall back on the lack of apps on windows. I'd like to find out specifically which apps lacking in windows make it a crippling experience and keeps you on iOS. It's interesting that to me it seems as if Microsoft has all the consumption needs covered, and the word consumption is thrown out so much with the ipad. Things like books, video/movies, pdf readers, Office, email, web browser, pictures, cloud storage, etc etc are all well represented as apps in windows.

Don't flame me please, I'm genuinely curious and think it may make a good discussion and is worthy of its own thread.

All the apps I use on iOS and Android are on Windows. That isn't the issue. The issue is a lot of those apps for things like Snapchat are by 3rd party vendors, vice by the original developer. Same thing with all the Google apps. <--- That's what really sucks. Google and Microsoft's little spat screws over the consumers.

 

[rui no onna]

Here ya go. I just did a quick search in my 1520 and got these top results:

Thanks. Comicana seems promising. I'll have to try that on the T100. I've used Freda before and it sucked. Here's hoping it's improved now.

 

[Oohara]

Sorry for twisting the OP's question a bit here towards WP vs Android rather than iOS:

Are there any WP apps that let you write regular SMS text messages on the PC that are then sent through the phone to any other phone (like MightyText on Android)? The only ones I've found let you send to those who use the same app only.

I'm quite keen to try something new this fall, and I'm considering both the iPhone and WP phones, but this is one piece of functionality I think it would annoy me greatly to have to live without.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Credit card and banking apps are sorely lacking.

Starbucks doesn't have an official app.

I'm happy, and content to use the website for my bank and an excellent 3rd party Starbucks app. I'm in the process of switching to a different credit card though, as Discover.com doesn't work in IE on WP8.1...

 

[nfl46]

iTunes Stores and certain financial apps is all I can think of off top of my head.

 

[mKTank]

Proper Google Maps
iTunes Store
iTunes Match
Alien Blue (IMO the WP ones don't come close)
iStudiez Pro equivalent (again, WP apps of this type don't even come close)
Passbook-type app which is actually implemented in other apps (Cineplex and Passbook on iOS for example)
RBC Mobile app (not sure, maybe WP has one nowadays)
Traktor DJ (the music apps on WP are..yeah let's not go there)
Google Play Music app (pretty sure Google just hates Microsoft so I don't think that'll ever happen, frankly)
Exclusive games like GTA SA, Blek, Infinity Blade, etc.

And this is just the first two pages of my home screen. WP is excellent in many ways but apps is not its strong suit, unfortunately. I'm a little picky about my apps too so...

 

[Lloydbm41]

Proper Google Maps
iTunes Store
iTunes Match
Alien Blue (IMO the WP ones don't come close)
iStudiez Pro equivalent (again, WP apps of this type don't even come close)
Passbook-type app which is actually implemented in other apps (Cineplex and Passbook on iOS for example)
RBC Mobile app (not sure, maybe WP has one nowadays)
Traktor DJ (the music apps on WP are..yeah let's not go there)
Google Play Music app (pretty sure Google just hates Microsoft so I don't think that'll ever happen, frankly)
Exclusive games like GTA SA, Blek, Infinity Blade, etc.

And this is just the first two pages of my home screen. WP is excellent in many ways but apps is not its strong suit, unfortunately. I'm a little picky about my apps too so...

It is taking a while, but more developers are coming on board. I don't use Pinterest, but supposedly an official app dropped for that today

 

[spinedoc77]

Proper Google Maps
iTunes Store
iTunes Match
Alien Blue (IMO the WP ones don't come close)
iStudiez Pro equivalent (again, WP apps of this type don't even come close)
Passbook-type app which is actually implemented in other apps (Cineplex and Passbook on iOS for example)
RBC Mobile app (not sure, maybe WP has one nowadays)
Traktor DJ (the music apps on WP are..yeah let's not go there)
Google Play Music app (pretty sure Google just hates Microsoft so I don't think that'll ever happen, frankly)
Exclusive games like GTA SA, Blek, Infinity Blade, etc.

And this is just the first two pages of my home screen. WP is excellent in many ways but apps is not its strong suit, unfortunately. I'm a little picky about my apps too so...

Google maps meh, I stopped using my tablet as a GPS device after coming to the Duh realization that mounting a 10" slab on my dashboard just wasn't very intelligent. I hear ya though, I wish Google would stop boycotting windows apps.

itunes store is available as a desktop program. Personally I think it's an awful program and stopped using it a long time ago, but to each their own. It scales pretty nicely as well on a windows tablet so from what I've seen it's not really an issue that it's a desktop app. I assume intunes match also works inside of the itunes program.
Alien Blue, I never heard of this and had to look it up. Looks like there are alternatives, although Reddit? Bleh.
Passbook: never found a use for it on iOS so I can't comment, but if you use it then it's a valid point.
RBC: yep there is a windows app
Traktor DJ: There is a windows program, I'm not familiar with it so I don't know if it scales well.
Google play: can use it over an internet browser, works quite nicely over IE11.
Exclusive games: As I said in another thread, a good point if you like iOS games, a bad point if you like Windows games. Heck I love to install and run WoW, Skyrim/elder scrolls, Tomb raider, bioshock, Diablo 3, etc etc on my windows tablet. You mention GTA, hey GTA5 comes out soon on PC, I can't wait to install that on my windows tablet.


Good stuff, thanks for the input. Certainly some valid points, I just think it's more of a give and take than people think.

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Credit card and banking apps are sorely lacking.

Starbucks doesn't have an official app.

I'm happy, and content to use the website for my bank and an excellent 3rd party Starbucks app. I'm in the process of switching to a different credit card though, as Discover.com doesn't work in IE on WP8.1...

Starbucks windows app may be on the way:
http://winsource.com/2014/03/12/starbucks-for-windows-phone-8/

I don't know about other financial institutions, but mine are well represented:
BofA windows app
Capital One windows app

Honestly I usually use the web app because it has much more functionality in my experience.

----------

Copied and pasted from another thread I responded to:

Pandora: has a desktop program and a phone app, not sure how that translates to a tablet.
Spotify: has a phone app, not sure how that translates to a tablet.
Which magazines? Zinio has a windows app
TWC has a desktop program but no app
which reading apps? Kindle has a windows app among a bunch of others
Oxford dictionary has a windows app
Facetime: windows has skype, not sure if this is valid since it's Apple only
Goodreader: Adobe pdf viewer, calibre, mobi reader, MS Office does a great job with PDF's as well, foxit reader. I use PDF annotation a LOT, I carry around gigabytes of medical references and reports on my tablets and used to use Good reader as well, but I don't miss it.
Nest thermostat: windows has an unofficial app, wpnest
Ebay/Amazon all have windows apps, personally I find the website to be far more functional than the iOS or windows app, but that's me.
Quality games, a good point if you like iOS games, a bad point if you like windows games.
gmail works perfectly in the email app, at least it does for me, but still a valid point not having a native app.

 

[maflynn]

I'm not finding anything lacking, all the apps I need are available except for My Disney Experience which helps manage your Disney Vacation.

They (Disney) have a windows app that does some of what the iOS/Andoid version does but not all.

As for iTunes/and google play that seems kind of silly. I mean do people really complain about the lack of iTunes on an android phone :roll eyes:

 

[Jessica Lares]

Freda and Comic Time are both very good, and I recommend them. I find the CNN app and Tapatalk much better on Windows Phone too.

 

[Oohara]

I'm not finding anything lacking, all the apps I need are available except for My Disney Experience which helps manage your Disney Vacation.

They (Disney) have a windows app that does some of what the iOS/Andoid version does but not all.

As for iTunes/and google play that seems kind of silly. I mean do people really complain about the lack of iTunes on an android phone :roll eyes:

Freda and Comic Time are both very good, and I recommend them. I find the CNN app and Tapatalk much better on Windows Phone too.

Are you guys using any setup to handle SMS through a computer?

Sorry for twisting the OP's question a bit here towards WP vs Android rather than iOS:

Are there any WP apps that let you write regular SMS text messages on the PC that are then sent through the phone to any other phone (like MightyText on Android)? The only ones I've found let you send to those who use the same app only.

I'm quite keen to try something new this fall, and I'm considering both the iPhone and WP phones, but this is one piece of functionality I think it would annoy me greatly to have to live without.

 

[mKTank]

itunes store is available as a desktop program. Personally I think it's an awful program and stopped using it a long time ago, but to each their own. It scales pretty nicely as well on a windows tablet so from what I've seen it's not really an issue that it's a desktop app. I assume intunes match also works inside of the itunes program.

iTunes on Windows sucks. Excellent on Mac though.

You mention GTA, hey GTA5 comes out soon on PC, I can't wait to install that on my windows tablet.

Rofl the best computers available at the time GTA 4 came out were unable to play the game even at low settings with a good FPS. The same will be true of GTA 5 because it's a massive game and Rockstar can't optimize for ****. You won't be playing GTA 5 on your tablet any time soon, let alone 4.

I thought the thread was about WP actually but if you're talking Windows 8 on a tablet, then it's still at a massive disadvantage usability-wise. Using Windows on my Surface Pro is cringe-inducing and, while Metro is a good direction towards tablet usability, the overall OS is seriously not suitable for touch input. The touch apps are garbage and the desktop apps have tiny, mouse-oriented user interfaces that are made tinier still by Windows' terrible DPI logic. I like my Surface Pro and it's instrumental to me school-wise, but it's so far behind the iPad when it comes to...practically any kind of media consumption. And I'm going to say that the iPad has better games and apps than Windows with touch, given that the good 'apps' Windows does have are 9/10 times not made with touch input in mind. It makes all the difference in the world. If you're happy touch-hunting for tiny buttons in the corners that's cool but it's not nearly as user-friendly, and thus, to me, loses.

 

[maflynn]

Are you guys using any setup to handle SMS through a computer?

Nope, while that is a nice feature with iMessage, I'm not missing it. I've found with the swype keyboard of 8.1, I'm able to bang out texts fairly quick on my phone.

Besides, up until the Yosemite beta, iMessage was never able to handle all of my messaging needs anyways.

 

[Oohara]

Nope, while that is a nice feature with iMessage, I'm not missing it. I've found with the swype keyboard of 8.1, I'm able to bang out texts fairly quick on my phone.

Besides, up until the Yosemite beta, iMessage was never able to handle all of my messaging needs anyways.

Alright, thank you. I actually use a Windows PC but wanted to check anyway, with all the text messaging I do while working I find it quite invaluable to be able to hammer those out right on my PC without having to pick up the phone all the time.

 

[spinedoc77]

iTunes on Windows sucks. Excellent on Mac though.


Rofl the best computers available at the time GTA 4 came out were unable to play the game even at low settings with a good FPS. The same will be true of GTA 5 because it's a massive game and Rockstar can't optimize for ****. You won't be playing GTA 5 on your tablet any time soon, let alone 4.

I thought the thread was about WP actually but if you're talking Windows 8 on a tablet, then it's still at a massive disadvantage usability-wise. Using Windows on my Surface Pro is cringe-inducing and, while Metro is a good direction towards tablet usability, the overall OS is seriously not suitable for touch input. The touch apps are garbage and the desktop apps have tiny, mouse-oriented user interfaces that are made tinier still by Windows' terrible DPI logic. I like my Surface Pro and it's instrumental to me school-wise, but it's so far behind the iPad when it comes to...practically any kind of media consumption. And I'm going to say that the iPad has better games and apps than Windows with touch, given that the good 'apps' Windows does have are 9/10 times not made with touch input in mind. It makes all the difference in the world. If you're happy touch-hunting for tiny buttons in the corners that's cool but it's not nearly as user-friendly, and thus, to me, loses.

ROFL on you actually. I play GTA4 on my Atom powered tablet and it runs well, although at low resolution. I play Tomb Raider 2013, Skyrim, etc on it as well. Now that's an atom CPU, with the SP3 we are talking about a core CPU so I expect it to run these games at medium resolution and even higher resolutions in some cases. GTA5 will run with no issues on it.

I don't get where the ipad is better in consumption? Seriously, I can view videos, movies, pictures, books, music, internet, etc just as well if not better in many cases on a windows tablet. For consumption I NEVER have to hunt tiny little buttons because I'm not on the desktop, every single one of those needs has a modern/touch app.

It's all good though, thanks for the input. This thread was a bit of an experiment to see if there are actually any apps that people miss on windows, it's also interesting to see people fish a bit when they realize that most apps are indeed available in some form.

 

[ozaz]

These are the missing apps I'd personally most like to see

* Banking apps
* Google Plus, or a 3rd party Google Plus client with auto backup of photos
* Pocket Casts
* Wunderlist
* Expedia
* Booking.com

These are apps I use that have annoying feature-limitations compared to iOS/Android
* Spotify
* 1Password

Might be worth mentioning there are some services I use a lot that lack first party WP apps, but with 3rd party clients that I'm satisfied with. These include: Feedly, Pocket, Gmail, Google Play Music, Dropbox

 

[spinedoc77]

Alright, thank you. I actually use a Windows PC but wanted to check anyway, with all the text messaging I do while working I find it quite invaluable to be able to hammer those out right on my PC without having to pick up the phone all the time.

Have you tried Mighty Text? It works quite nicely on a PC for texting, although I think you need an Android phone for it to work off of. You can also use gmail/Gvoice although I dont think you can MMS, just straight text. Although you can do attachments for ghetto MMS.

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These are the missing apps I'd personally most like to see

* Banking apps
* Google Plus, or a 3rd party Google Plus client with auto backup of photos
* Pocket Casts
* Wunderlist
* Expedia
* Booking.com

These are apps I use that have annoying feature-limitations compared to iOS/Android
* Spotify
* 1Password

Might be worth mentioning there are some services I use a lot that lack first party WP apps, but with 3rd party clients that I'm satisfied with. These include: Feedly, Pocket, Gmail, Google Play Music, Dropbox

Pocket casts would be nice, I use that all the time on my Android phone. It's the best podcast app out there IMO.

 

[Oohara]

Have you tried Mighty Text? It works quite nicely on a PC for texting, although I think you need an Android phone for it to work off of. You can also use gmail/Gvoice although I dont think you can MMS, just straight text. Although you can do attachments for ghetto MMS.

Yep that is what I'm using right now on Note 2 + PC (its awesome). What I'm looking for is an alternative if I decide to go WP, but thanks for replying nonetheless

 

[spinedoc77]

Yep that is what I'm using right now on Note 2 + PC (its awesome). What I'm looking for is an alternative if I decide to go WP, but thanks for replying nonetheless

Ahh I thought you were looking for a windows tablet app for texting. Why couldn't you just use the text app that's built into WP?

 

[Oohara]

Ahh I thought you were looking for a windows tablet app for texting. Why couldn't you just use the text app that's built into WP?

I want something that lets me manage/write texts on the PC and have them sent through the phone though, does the regular WP text app allow for that?