While Windows 10 Mobile (Windows Phone) is no longer going to be supported by Microsoft, many businesses and individuals still use Windows-running phones.
However, Microsoft has made it known that it will no longer add new features, concentrating on bug fixes and security patches instead. As a result, Windows 10 Phone users might be feeling a little bereft.
"Of course we'll continue to support the platform... bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/[hardware] aren't the focus," Microsoft executive Joe Belfiore wrote on Twitter in October 2017.
While Microsoft had tried to get developers to create new apps for the platform, this proved a somewhat complicated task.
Where does this leave Windows 10 Phone users? In short, with no new apps to use.
However, those apps already available will continue to work on devices. As for variety, there are still plenty of indispensable apps any user should download to make their device more useful to them and their work.
Here is a list of apps you should download and install today.
Telegram Messenger
Category: Messaging
Price: Free
Telegram is a messaging app that has a big following in the crypto and tech scene. It is also one of the few apps that continues to receive updates on the Windows Phone platform. The latest update allows users to store personal information and identity documents in the cloud.
Main Idea: The app allows users to securely commmunicate with other users via their smart devices.
1Password Beta
Category: Security
Price: Free
1Password is a popular account and password directory that securely encrypts your entries. The Windows Phone version, still in public beta at the time of writing, offers improved search, faster performance and a revised UI.
Main Idea: Securely store the passwords for accounts you access on your Windows Phone.
Alternatives: Password Padlock, VPN Unlimited
VLC for Windows Phone (Free)
Category: Utilities & Tools
Price: Free
VLC for Windows Phone is a portable, free and open-source, cross-platform media player and streaming media server written by the VideoLAN project. It player supports most audio and video compression formats, files and streaming protocols, such as OGG, MKV, FLAC and MPC. The app has a media library for audio and video files, a complete audio library, with metadata fetching. VLC supports multi-track audio and subtitles, speed control.
Main idea: Can payback any type of video or audio file on a Windows Phone.
Alternatives: Video Tuner
Adobe PhotoShop Express
Category: Photography
Price: Free
Adobe's PhotoShop Express is without the doubt the most impressive tool for editing photos on a Windows Phone device.
As is the case on the Android and iPhone iteration, it features plenty of editing tools to make your picture shine. Crop, adjust red eye, white balance, contrast, noise, tone and much more, it's a must-have, even if you're not an avid photographer.
All of these actions only require one or two taps of the screen to completely transform your snaps, making it easy for even the novice to use.
You can also add a varied selection of filters, called 'Looks'. Although it's not on par with Instagram, it's still pretty impressive and can give a new lease of life to any picture that may have been adversely affected by shaky hands.
Main Idea: Top photo editing app with simple to use interface
Alternatives: Photo Editor pro, Photo Editor by Aviary
Adobe Reader
Category: Utilities & Tools
Price: Free
The most popular app for viewing, editing, converting, and sharing PDFs, Adobe Reader allows you to view PDFs straight from emails and more. The app also allows you to view password-protected documents for extra security, convert DOC, RTF, and easily share files and documents between team members.
Main Idea: PDF files are widely used in business, so it's incredibly useful to be able to view and interact with them across more than one platform.
Alternative: PDF Reader
