UC Browser
One of the first things on the to-do list after purchasing a Windows device is finding a proper substitute for Internet Explorer. For Windows Phone 8 owners, here you go. UC Browser is a fast app that has a lot of convenient features. It lets you save things for offline reading or viewing, view websites in desktop mode, and includes Night Mode, Speed Mode, Text-only Browsing and Incognito Browsing, for all you sneaky ones out there. You can also customize the browser skin from the UC Theme Center. Your move, IE.
Rowi
Twitter's apps haven't been known to go above and beyond the obvious options such as checking your mentions, tweeting, and following your newsfeed. Rowi steps up your tweeting game by letting you configure your homescreen to add search, favorites and retweets; configurable push notifications on your live tiles; and use a built-in "TweetMarker" so your last read tweets sync with your other Twitter apps you may be using. It also looks far better than the official app.
Blink
Ever had that problem when you're trying to take a picture, and the dude who is holding the camera takes so long that right when he presses the shutter, you blink? Well, this is what the aptly named Blink app is here to solve. Once you open the app to take a picture, it begins to capture images right before and after the said cameraman takes a picture. Just swipe through the images to find the perfect one, and then erase that awkward blink of yours from memory.
Connectivity Shortcuts
One of the problems with many phones is that some of there most important settings, like wi-fi, brightness and airplane mode, are buried under pages of menus. With Connectivity Shortcuts, all those settings are much easier to access. You can pin different tiles to your phone's start menu and customize which setting options are shown on the tiles. You can also set reminders that tell you, for example, when to turn off your wi-fi so you can conserve some battery life.
Gmaps Pro
Google doesn't have a version of their highly popular Google Maps out for WP8 yet, but Gmaps is the next best option. Find your location on the map and track your current speed, access street view, search venues and switch to driver mode if you're in a car. It has a smooth layout, and if you're used to Google Maps, you should feel right at home.
IM+
Are you a text messaging machine? Are you addicted to Skype, Google Talk, and Yahoo Messenger? Well before this starts sounding like a pharmaceutical commercial, IM+ could be the antidote for you. IM+ aggregates all these services together, so when someone messages you on AIM, you'll get it in the same spot as when someone from Skype messages you. What are you waiting for? Get to chattin'.
Weather Flow
Tired of checking the weather on your phone, just to get a tiny symbol of a cloud and the sun, and not much else? Well, Weather Flow is a gorgeous way to check the weather in style, which makes use of the sleek Windows Phone 8 functionality. The app lets you play with different tile settings, and you're able to choose your own background lock screen image, or simply have a daily wallpaper provided to you by Bing. Also, set the tiles of your lock screen to show the latest weather, daily or hourly forecasts. You can't control the weather, but you can control how you check it.
4th & Mayor
4th & Mayor is Foursquare done right. It's quick, good-looking, and has a lot of features. Save screen shots of your check-ins, do quick check-ins, and reports are saying that this app is more accurate and pinpointing your current location than the official app. Check out this app while the folks at Foursquare figure out the kinks.
Phototastic
Instagram isn't supported yet in WP8, but if you're still feeling filter-happy: Phototastic is for you. Phototastic lets you set your pictures into simple or intricate collages, then apply filters to get that extra spark. Though you won't be able to upload them to Instagram, don't forget: they'll look the same on Facebook. So start collaging.
AppSwitch
If you just switched over to WP8 from iPhone or Android, and you had that perfect app on your old phone that you just can't live without, AppSwitch will do its best to help in the search for a replacement. Enter the name of the app, and AppSearch will browse through its database to look for recommended matches or equivalents that are available through Windows for download.
Metrotube
The YouTube app for WP8 feels like a watered down version of the YouTube you might be used to. Metrotube attempts to give you the easiest and most efficient YouTube experience out there. It's easy to navigate, has simple playback controls, and looks good while doing it. Where the official app may let you down, Metrotube will lift you back up, and should be your go-to for YouTube viewing.
easyRing&Music
There are many ways to personalize your phone by customizing its appearance, but probably the age-old standard for customization is the personalized ring-tone. It gives those strangers standing around you at the mall a quick glimpse into the kind of music you like. It could even end up being a conversation starter. EasyRing&Music helps you find the song that matches your mood. Feeling broken hearted? The app will search, download all the Usher 8701 YouTube videos you want, then convert them into mp3 songs for your ringtone. The app also does this for Soundcloud and SkyDrive as well, and it will also search and download free music from sites like MP3.com.
Weave News Reader
Weave is exclusive to Windows phones. The app gathers articles from your favorite news sites, whether TMZ, CNN, or ABC and brings them together for quick viewing on your phone--similar to Pulse news on iOS. If you can't think of your favorite news sites, or are just new to the whole news reading thing, Weave also lets you gather news by interest, such as humor, animals and technology.
Photosynth
Photosynth is an easy to use app that stitches together images to create a detailed panoramic photograph. The makers claim that Photosynth is the only app on Windows Phone that lets you to capture a full 360-degrees horizontally and vertically, to create perfect "sphere" of an image. You can share your images through Facebook and Twitter, or upload them to the free Photosynth.net service.
Sleep Recorder
Here's one that's just for fun with a tinge of curiousity. Sleep Recorder is a unique app that records sounds while you sleep. If you have heard that you talk in your sleep at night and want to hear what you say, this is your opportunity. Or if you just want to make sure one of your family members isn't sneaking into your room at night Paranormal Activity style, this will help catch them in the act. The app only records sounds and won't save what's recorded during silence. So when you wake up, all you have to do is hit play to heat the greatest hits of the night.
Flashlight
This is a must have for any smartphone owner. Download Flashlight to have access to continous light from your camera's flash. Click the app tile, and almost instantaneously, the flashlight will be activated. It even comes with an SOS feature in case of emergencies. This is one of the apps where you might not need it everyday, but when you do need it, you'll be glad you downloaded it.
StickyTiles
StickyTiles is a cool app that lets you post digital post-it note tiles to your phone's homescreen. What's better yet is that they're double-sided, so you can have more infornation in just as little space. This is a good thing to have is there is something you urgently need to do, like buying make-up flowers for your girl, or dog food from the grocery store, and you don't want to go in to your phone's calendar to set up a reminder that way. With StickTiles, you put the reminder front and center.
SkyDrive
SkyDrive is a Microsoft app that helps you sync and access files on the SkyDrive cloud service. You can upload photos and videos from your phone, share them in an email or link, and view document files you have saved in the service. If you're paranoid about losing those precious photos on your phone, you can set up SkyDrive to automatically save photos from your phone onto the cloud.
Marathon
With all this talk about making life easier by controllong other devices from your phone while you lay in bed, it might be getting a little too comfortable around the house. So it's time to get out. Marathon is a fitness app that records and saves your movements during runs or biking sessions. It'll track your calories burned, speed and altitude changes, and you can let your friends track your running progress live online, if you're so inclined. If you're the type to run by yourself, you can also race against your by trying to best your previous results. You can also publish your results on Facebook and Twitter.
MyTileMaker
MyTileMaker lets you create custom tiles for your Windows Phone homescreen. Want five tiles to feature a picture of Scarlett Johansson? Done. Want to be a little more productive with memos and lists? You got that too. Try MyTileMaker to really customize the insides of your phone.
Xbox SmartGlass
Xbox SmartGlass lets your phone work with your Xbox 360. Move through your Xbox with swipes and taps, type into the phone's keyboard to write a message on your Xbox, browse the Internet, and play, pause or rewind TV shows, movies, music, sports, and games. Smartglass makes your Windows Phone one expensive remote control you better not lose.
GasBuddy
Other than doing what you would expect a gas app to do, like posting cheap gas prices around town, GasBuddy does a little more. It promotes the whole social aspect of reporting gas prices of the stations you visit, and you can even win free gas in the process. Top "spotters" will be recognized in the app for their frequent reports, and you can collect points by reporting more.
PC Remote
If you don't have an Xbox 360, but do have a laptop, and you want to get in on the whole "controlling your devices from your couch" thing, PC Remote has got you covered. Connect your Windows Phone to your PC and control Windows Media Player, YouTube, iTunes or (cough) Zune, and use your phone as a keyboard while viewing your PC screen on your phone.
Pictures Lab
We have your collages and panoramic images covered, so what about getting down to the nitty gritty editing? Pictures Lab is a detailed app that allows you to crop, flip and rotate; add filters and borders; and adjust saturation, contrast and other levels to give your photo that perfect look. The app also lets you go back and re-edit after you have finished. If you're serious about mobile photography, Pictures Labs is an app for your arsenal.
Baconit
Baconit brings Reddit to your phone. Flip through fullscreen subreddit posts, or categorize your favorites and endlessly scoll though them. If you want to go in and vote up the cool stuff, and vote down the lame, you can sign in with your Reddit account through the app, and you can comment on things and upload whatever you desire, from anywhere. Don't cause too much trouble.