10 Apps That Need to Come to Windows Phone 7

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Fans of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform have reason to celebrate. The 2012 Consumer Electronics Show debuted a number of sick handsets that will give the OS the hardware needed to compete with Android and iOS. Also, WP7 can now boast about having over 50,000 apps in its Windows Marketplace. Sure, that's nothing compered to the more than 400,000 apps currently in the Apple App Store, but it's a good start.

To get it over that hump, though, we feel WP7 needs to convince makers of popular iOS and Android apps to port their wares over to the Microsoft side. Which ones in particular? Glad you asked. These are the 10 apps we wish would make the jump to Windows Phone 7. Oh, for those currently using the platform as their only phone, we've included the apps you can currently download instead.

Pandora

Alternatives: Zune, Rdio, Spotify

There are plenty of radio apps available for the Windows Phone OS, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a better one than Pandora. Especially one that all your friends also use.

Instagram

Alternatives: das Image, bubble gum, Apict, Metrogram

The popular image-sharing social network has yet to make its way to any other mobile OS besides iOS. However, that doesn't mean you can't peep all the images your iPhone-toting friends are uploading. With apps like das Image and Metrogram you can peruse the Instagram network. Or you can join new networks like bubble gum and Apict with your fellow Windows Phone users; both let you take photos, apply cool filters and then share them with friends.

Temple Run

Alternatives: Sonic

The game that has taken the mobile world by storm has no current equal in the Windows Marketplace. Sure, there are plenty of Xbox Live games available, but none that match the visceral fun of the Indiana Jones-like game that has you outrunning ghouls. If you're looking to run fast and collect coins, there's always Sonic.

TweetDeck

Alternatives: Twitter

Windows Phone 7 integrates social networks into its user experience better than nearly all other mobile operating systems. If you want something a little more powerful, there's the official Twitter app. However, there's a large contingent of people that believe TweetDeck is the best Twitter app out. We're also partial to Echofon, which is also not available in the Windows Marketplace.

HBO Go

Alternatives: None

HBO Go is not an essential app. You could very well go about your day without the app that allows you to stream HBO shows on your phone. But why would you? All of the other cable operators have also failed to port their apps to the Windows platform. As have all the cable operators. The only service appealing to Mango users is DIRECTV.

Square

Alternatives: None

You probably have no need for Square, the little plastic device that plugs in your iPhone and allows you to accept credit card payments right on your phone. Developed by Twitter co-founder, Jack Dorsey, Square revolutionized small business by putting the power of checkout into the hands of people who wouldn't otherwise have it. Square exemplifies the type of apps that make the iPhone such a diverse tool. Without such apps Windows Phone 7 will not tackle the iPhone.

Mint

Alternatives: My Budget

Have trouble managing your finances? Then you should check out Mint. The personal finance app lets you create a monthly budget and helps you keep your track of what you're spending and what's coming in. Simple and powerful, Mint has become one of the most downloaded apps in the Apple App Store. The only close runner-up to Mint would be the My Budget app which is available for free or for $1. We recommend dropping the Washington.

Flipboard

Alternatives: Weave, Pulse

Flipboard wasn't the first RSS reader to beautifully lay out your daily news, but it's the best one. You can currently do the same with two very appealing apps: Pulse and Weave. Both apps turn your news stories into clean, attractive articles. None, however, hold a candle to Flipboard.

PayPal

Alternatives: HelpPayMe

We find it strange that the most popular online payment service hasn't ported its app to Windows Phone 7. All that's available to Mango users is HelpPayMe, a $2 app that allows users to manage their PayPal accounts, but doesn't offer nearly the same amount of functionality as the real PayPal app. Hopefully this is soon rectified.

Words with Friends

Alternatives: Words by Post

This is another instance of user base being everything. If you want to play a Scrabble knock-off with your other Windows Phone 7 friends, appes like Words by Post will allow you to do so. The app will also let you compete against all your non-WP7 friends who are playing the official Zynga Words with Friends game.