Photo Editor

If you need to do some light photo editing then you probably won't find anything much better than this in the Windows Store. I must say that I've found comparable photo editors to this one in the store, but I kind of like this one. With a few extra features to something like this I'd rarely ever feel the need to use the Windows desktop again. Photo Editor is worth a look. It might be exactly what you need.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Photo Editor

Sudoku Free

Sudoku is a fun 9x9 grid number puzzle game. Sudoku Free is maybe the best app to play it on
Windows 8. If there is a better one, I haven't found it yet. You can play with 4 different difficulty levels, and you get a new random game every time. Sudoku is one of my favorite games.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Sudoku Free

Latermark

Latermark is a Pocket client. You use your free Pocket account to save links from your web browser to read later. You can either read them right in Latermark or read them in your browser. I like to save links for later and then snap Latermark to the side  of my screen so I can open my saved links in my web browser.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Latermark

The Future Of Windows 8 Apps

One thing I've noticed that's lacking in Windows 8 is the lack of good full featured apps. You know what I mean, apps that are the equivalent to good desktop programs. There are actually a few, but most of the apps so far are cut down toy apps like you will find on Android or Ipad.

It doesn't have to be this way, and it can't remain this way. Actually, the toy apps are good to have, but good full featured apps will be what takes Windows 8 into the future. We all know, even though some of us hate the idea, that these Windows 8 apps will eventually replace the old desktop. But that can't happen until this new way is better than the old way. So far it's a good addition to the old way, but it's not better yet.

I think it will eventually get that way. Microsoft will continue to tweak Windows 8 until most of our complaints are addressed. One day we will wonder why we ever wanted to go back to the old desktop way. It will seem clunky to even think about it. We are already seeing a hint of this in leaks of the next version of Windows 8. I said hints.

But somebody has to be the first one. Windows 8 apps shouldn't be cut down versions of desktop programs. They should be better versions of them, or something entirely new. We should be able to compare them with the old way and be unwilling to go back.

OneNote is a good example of both problems. If you look at the OneNote app as a Windows 8 app version of the original OneNote program, you'll find it is lacking a few features. It's a good app, but it is still just a cut down version of the original OneNote.

But I don't look at it that way. I look at the OneNote app as more of a Notepad replacement. You can jot down notes with both, but you can also include links, pictures, and videos in OneNote. You also save your notes in the cloud so they are available on all of your devices. You can't do any of that with Notepad. I wonder if Microsoft sees this same comparison.

Until they see things the way I do, I will just have fun with the apps we have today. I will point out the best of them and ignore the worst. There are some great apps in the store, but they're still mostly toys. With a little bit of progress that will all change.

Flixster

With Flixster you can see which movies are available in your area, and you can watch trailers from the list of movies in the app. You can check out current theater releases and upcoming DVD releases. I think this one is the most useful of all the movie apps out there.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Flixster

Card Games Chest

Card Games Chest was one of the first card game apps in the Windows Store; it's also one of my favorites. You have several card games to choose from in this app, such as Crazy Eights, Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, Mau-Mau, 101, Switch and DUO, and its all free. If you like card games, then I know you'll like this one.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Card Games Chest

Advanced English Dictionary

A dictionary is a handy thing to have close by. Sure you can go to a website, but an app is much easier to get to. Advanced English Dictionary is the best dictionary app I've found in the Windows Store. I think you'll agree.

Price: Free
Windows Store Link: Advanced English Dictionary