10. Network Dashboard
If you frequently find yourself running out of battery, you’ll want to disable features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G. Unlike the Quick Settings option in Android, WP7 users normally have to scroll through the settings menu looking for the right options - Network Dashboard adds a set of stylish tiles to the home screen that will take you straight there. It’s also completely free, so there’s no reason not to have these handy tiles just a swipe away.
A quick toggle for Bluetooth should be handy if you use a hands-free kit
9. SimpiRSS
Google’s Reader web app is fantastic for keeping track of all your favourite websites, but its mobile interface on WP7 leaves a lot to be desired. SimpiRSS mimics Microsoft’s Metro user interface, so it feels like a first-party application. Sign in with your Google account and you’ll instantly be able to read all your RSS subscriptions right away, but unlike other apps you can also add extra subscriptions manually. The free version is ad-supported, and the paid-for version costs £1.49.
SimpiRSS is a great (and free!) way to keep up to date with Expert Reviews
8. Last.FM
Arguably, Windows Phone 7 has the best looking music player of any smartphone on the market right now, but if you want to keep your phone’s internal memory free for photos and videos, you’ll want a good music streaming application. Last.FM is our current favourite – it copies the default music interface and lets you access your saved radio stations directly from your phone. You’ll need to be a subscriber to use the full service, but it’s well worth the small monthly fee.
Even if you don’t keep music on your phone, Last.FM will let you listen on the move
7. IMDB
The scourge of pub quizzes across the land makes it to Windows Phone 7 – the IMDB app is just as useful as it is on iOS and Android here, but the Metro-style design is perhaps even easier on the eye. You can use it to find out what's showing at your local picture house, or just discover more about your favorite actors and directors. When you’ve just got to know who starred in what film, there aren’t any other apps we would recommend more.
The scourge of pub quizzes across the land makes it to Windows Phone 7 – the IMDB app is just as useful as it is on iOS and Android here, but the Metro-style design is perhaps even easier on the eye. You can use it to find out what's showing at your local picture house, or just discover more about your favorite actors and directors. When you’ve just got to know who starred in what film, there aren’t any other apps we would recommend more.
Where else can you find out what won Best Live Action Short Film in 1986?
6. WeatherLive
There are plenty of great weather apps on WP7, but few of them support Live Tiles. Being able to see the forecast at a glance is fantastic, which is why WeatherLive is our app of choice. Not only is it free to use, it also copies the Metro UI perfectly and offers incredibly detailed forecasts if you delve a little deeper. If you don’t mind putting up with a few unobtrusive adverts, we don’t think there’s currently a better weather app out there.
There are plenty of great weather apps on WP7, but few of them support Live Tiles. Being able to see the forecast at a glance is fantastic, which is why WeatherLive is our app of choice. Not only is it free to use, it also copies the Metro UI perfectly and offers incredibly detailed forecasts if you delve a little deeper. If you don’t mind putting up with a few unobtrusive adverts, we don’t think there’s currently a better weather app out there.
WeatherLive’s simple layout beats the more complicated weather apps hands down
5. eBay
Like a lot of WP7 apps that use the Metro interface, the eBay app looks rather simple but manages to pack in a huge array of features. Search by price range or category, watch items or bid on them straight from the phone - practically everything you would want to do on the website can be done through this app instead - the only exception is that you can't add new listings.
Like a lot of WP7 apps that use the Metro interface, the eBay app looks rather simple but manages to pack in a huge array of features. Search by price range or category, watch items or bid on them straight from the phone - practically everything you would want to do on the website can be done through this app instead - the only exception is that you can't add new listings.
Don't blame us if using this app results in purchases of pointless tat
4. TuneIn Radio
If, like us, you don't feel the need to subscribe to music streaming services such as Spotify and Last.FM, you'll love TuneIn Radio. The free app can access over 40,000 radio stations over Wi-Fi, including all the national stations available on DAB and a whole host of internet stations. The interface is incredibly easy to use and now that Mango supports multi-tasking, you'll be able to keep listening even when you load another app.
If, like us, you don't feel the need to subscribe to music streaming services such as Spotify and Last.FM, you'll love TuneIn Radio. The free app can access over 40,000 radio stations over Wi-Fi, including all the national stations available on DAB and a whole host of internet stations. The interface is incredibly easy to use and now that Mango supports multi-tasking, you'll be able to keep listening even when you load another app.
Whatever your musical tastes, you'll definitely find a station to suit you using the TuneIn Radio app
3. Amazon Kindle
There are plenty of imitators, but the Amazon kindle is still one of the best eBook readers around. Whether you own one or not, you can still enjoy eBooks bought from Amazon using the official Kindle app. Its WhisperSync feature keeps your current bookmark synced across all your devices, which makes it perfect for using on the move.
There are plenty of imitators, but the Amazon kindle is still one of the best eBook readers around. Whether you own one or not, you can still enjoy eBooks bought from Amazon using the official Kindle app. Its WhisperSync feature keeps your current bookmark synced across all your devices, which makes it perfect for using on the move.
Never worry about losing your place in a book again using WhisperSync
2. Seesmic
Windows Phone 7 has some of the best social networking integration we've seen in a mobile OS, but sometimes it helps to have everything in one place, rather than strewn throughout the operating system. Seesmic lets you add multiple Facebook and Twitter accounts and send messages simultaneously, which will save anyone tied to their social networks a lot of time updating multiple profiles.
Windows Phone 7 has some of the best social networking integration we've seen in a mobile OS, but sometimes it helps to have everything in one place, rather than strewn throughout the operating system. Seesmic lets you add multiple Facebook and Twitter accounts and send messages simultaneously, which will save anyone tied to their social networks a lot of time updating multiple profiles.
If you want everything to do with social networks in one place, there's nothing better than Seesmic
1. Spotify
The official Windows Phone 7 Spotify app is hot off the press, having only launched this week, but it's shot straight to the top of our must-have list. Managing to use the Metro user interface but still retain its own distinct colour scheme, the Spotify app is streamlined, well animated and incredibly easy to use. Like its iOS and Android sister versions you'll need to be a premium member to enjoy music on the move, but this is one service that we're sure is worth the money.
The official Windows Phone 7 Spotify app is hot off the press, having only launched this week, but it's shot straight to the top of our must-have list. Managing to use the Metro user interface but still retain its own distinct colour scheme, the Spotify app is streamlined, well animated and incredibly easy to use. Like its iOS and Android sister versions you'll need to be a premium member to enjoy music on the move, but this is one service that we're sure is worth the money.
If you own a WP7 phone and like music, there's absolutely no reason not to have this app
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