Best Windows Phone 7 apps

So you've got a Windows Phone 7 phone, and now you need to fill it with lovely Windows Phone 7 apps. However with over 45,000 apps available for the Microsoft platform what are the best ones to get and are there any that take advantage of the Metro interface. 

We've scoured the massive collection of Windows Phone 7 apps available in the Windows Marketplace to see what's on offer and what you should download. 

We've tried, tested and reviewed all of the following Windows Phone 7 apps ourselves, in other words than just guessing whether they're good or not.

The music app for the music generation

The music app for the music generation, the Spotify app for Windows Phone 7 is free, though you will need a premium subscription for it to work.

Still once you've done that you can search for any of the millions of tracks available on Spotify, load up playlists, and download music to your phone for offline listening if you know you are going to be out of service. Easy to use, if you like music, this is the one for you.

You like reading books, you like reading your Kindle, nevertheless you don't always have your Kindle with you. Amazon Kindle for Windows Phone 7 is specifically what you would expect.

The official Windows Phone 7 Kindle app

The official Windows Phone 7 Kindle app. That means you get to do all the usual Kindle app stuff like read your books, buy new books, and everything else you've come to expect from the Kindle apps.

Windows Phone 7 comes with its own cloud sharing service, SkyDrive, nevertheless you might already be using Dropbox. If that's the case, don't panic, for during the company has but to release an official app for Windows Phone 7, there is a very good one in the guise of BoxFiles for Dropbox that lets you access your dropbox folders on the go, share and transfer files from your SkyDrive account, or merely upload photos from the phone.

Frequent flyer with British Airways

If you are a frequent flyer with British Airways and are as well a Windows Phone 7 smartphone owner at the time you need this app.

The app lets you manage your booking via your phone, giving you travel updates as then as becoming your boarding card. Nevertheless where the Windows Phone 7 app excels is that it will let you pin your latest travel details on to the home screen allowing you to see the gate information with the naked eye rather than having to open up the app each time.

All can as well set the app to sync in the background so when you do load the app on your phone the files are all ready and waiting for you.

Flashlight - or torch to you

HTC Windows Phone 7 owners already get a flashlight - or torch to you and me - with their phone, however if you are a Nokia Lumia 800 user you won't.

There are plenty of options in the Marketplace, nevertheless we like Flashlight-X. Why? Because it is so simple. Turn the app on and your LED flash on the back of your phone will become a bright beacon and you can turn it on or off with a press of the big Pocket-lint logo looking power button. If you are worried about needing the option to SOS for help, there is a pretty set button for that as then.

Windows Phone 7 comes with Bing search built in and that offers plenty, however there are times when the results just aren't what you want or what you expect.

You are sat in front of the TV and you want to know who that actor is that you just can't place. Fire up the Windows Phone 7 IMBD app and your question will be answered with a couple of key presses and some swipes of your finger.

It's as well a great app for showing off just how pretty Windows Phone 7 apps can be with the information flowing through the panels as you swipe right to left across your phone.

Core level in Windows Phone 7

Facebook is incorporated at a core level in Windows Phone 7, so you do get to post Facebook and upload pictures already, as then as incorporating your contact’s details, updates and being able to view their photos. The Facebook app gives you the full treatment, again offering access to those areas already covered, nevertheless giving photos special treatment.

Foursquare has made it onto the map, meaning you can checkin as you roam around with your new phone. We like the big bold interface, offering up places, tips and friends. Places shows you nearby venues with the option to search for more - opening one up will let you checkin and as well offers a Bing map, giving you the option to navigate to that location.

Features of Phonealytics include basic reporting allowing you to see your daily numbers, search engine traffic break down, and popular pages over the last day, week, or month.

Official Twitter app for Windows Phone 7

Yes there is an official Twitter app for Windows Phone 7, trouble is, it isn't very good. In steps Rowi, a third-party app that lets you monitor your Tweets as so then as offering you alerts when you are mentioned. The App as well allows you to create dedicated panels for certain people or search terms.

Fancy getting fit? Already running? This is going to be the app for you. Runkepper for Windows Phone 7 allows you to track your runs when you are out and about as long as you remember to take your phone with you.

The app uses the phones GPS signal along with a stopwatch to monitor and time your activity so it can at the time give you accumulative data as you go.

Track in a bar

We've all been there - heard a track in a bar, or on the radio and wondered what it was. Shazam as you'll probably know lets you tag that track by listening to it and at the time giving you the results on your phone.

While not all Windows Phone 7 phones have a front facing camera - Nokia Lumia 800 we are looking at you - those that do, like the HTC Titan or Radar, can enjoy Tango - a messaging app that lets you do video calling.

Tango allows you to make free phone calls and free video calls over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi. Make calls to any other person who has Tango installed on their smartphone, tablet or PC.

Still that shouldn't put you off, the app is simple to use and works across Windows Phone, Android and iOS phones and tablets, and PCs meaning you don't have to insist that your friends get a WP7 phone as then for it to work in the same way FaceTime users have to both have an iPhone or iPad.

Built in voice recorder as standard

Apple's iPhone has a built in voice recorder as standard. Windows Phone 7 doesn't. So if you want to record that important conversation, be it an interview, memo to yourself, or when you want to blackmail your friends you'll need an app to do it.

Pocket Recorder Sound + Recording Hub transforms your Windows Phone 7 device into a full-fledged sound recording and editing tool.

Using the power of Augmented Reality SkyMap lets you point your phone to the sky and see where the stars, constellations, planets or deep space objects are out there in real time.

What time does the train leave?

What time does the train leave? If you find yourself asking that question a lot it might be advisable to download Rail Planner for Windows Phone 7. The app, built in conjunction with the National Rail Enquiries service will let you plot and plan your train rides across the country.

Like Rail Planner, Straightway bus lets you map your journey out so you can see when to get to the bus stop. The difference here clearly is the method of transport. Unequalled to the Windows Phone marketplace, At once Bus UK is essential for any public transport user.

It would be great if Hipstamatic or Instagram was on Windows Phone 7, nevertheless they aren't. The then best thing is Pictures Lab, an app that lets you apply funky affects to your pictures as you take them or afterwards the fact.

There's as well a nice feature mentioned whereby you can "seamlessly transition" from your handset to a Windows 7 tablet and vice-versa and keep your place in a photo stream.

The iPhone 4S launch?

» LAST TIME When asked Are you disappointed with the iPhone 4S launch? 56% said yes and 44% said no