Does WP8 Have Replacement Apps for their Counterparts on Android?

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Very nearly taking the plunge and picking up a Nokia Lumia 920.

I understand the Nokia Lumia range have a number of free apps, although the only one I remember is Draw Something. But I wanted to know if anyone knows about replacement apps and if they cost (I really don't want to pay for something I already have!).

Data Usage

Is there an app to monitor data usage?

Maps

I currently use MapDroyd, which is great as it's basically downloaded the whole of the UK map, which I can zoom in to and search, thus saving data usage. Does Nokia's map system work in the same way?

Office

Does Windows Phone 8 come with some sort of MS Office editor? I didn't really use Office Suite on android but always had it installed just in case.

Pocket Tanks

I have just found Pocket Tanks which is a brill, simple game. One tank on each side, take it in turns to blast the other player. Is there something similar for WP8?

Transport Help

For mainline trains I use Rail Planner Live. Both allow me to say I am starting at Station A, need to get to Station B and it plans it out for me on current running information. I see there seems to be a good app for the London Underound.

SoundHound

I rarely use SoundHound, but the times I have, it has been super useful

File Explorer

I use ES File Explorer / Root Explorer to save app APK's just in case and I'd like to do the same with WP8. Can you install apps which haven't been downloaded from the market? For instance if an update comes out and I don't like it, I can always go back to the out of date version.

Also, am I right in thinking there isn't an official YouTube, Facebook or Twitter app? If not, that sucks :( I guess the price you pay for being an early adopter.

Thanks for any help :)

[-Himanshu-]

My dad bought a Lumia on my suggestion, and I tinkered with it for some time, so here's what I noticed.

There is an app Nokia Counters. It monitor Data Usage.

Nokia Drive has the ability to download maps so that they can be used offline.

It came with Office.

I didn't find anything giving access to filesystem.

Don't know about others.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Here's what I know:

• Data usage: WP8 has an app called Data Sense. Unfortunately, you won't be able to find the app on your phone if your carrier doesn't support it.
  
• Maps: WP8 has a maps app but Nokia's one is even better: Nokia Maps. I'd love to use it myself but it's exclusive to Nokia devices.
  
• Office: Office Hub. :)
  
• Pocket Tanks: You can find a bunch of tank games here.
  
• Transporter Help: Rail Planner.
  
• SoundHound: SoundHound.
  

[jakem1]

In addition to Anaron's post, the Bing app can perform a music search so there's no need for a separate app such as SoundHound. Also, Rail Planner is excellent for national rail services and I use London Travel for TfL services.

Sideloading of apps is only really available for companies and there's no way to retain old versions of apps from the store in the way you describe.

The Lumia 920 is a fantastic phone and you won't be disappointed.

There is an app Nokia Counters. It monitor Data Usage.

I think that only works with WP7.

[Dot Matrix]

Is there any specific reason you need access to the filesystem? Windows Phone is not really an OS to buy to tinker around with like that.

And yes, there is an official Facebook and Twitter app, but for Facebook, you're better off using the mobile site.

[StandingInAlley]

This is so ****ty that all WP8 devices cannot track usage of Data. It's disappointing and I found this to be an important feature in Android which even iOS lacked. The only reason I'm posting this is because I'm looking to switch from Android to WP8 but the list of disappointment seems to be growing :(

[pack34]

This is so ****ty that all WP8 devices cannot track usage of Data. It's disappointing and I found this to be an important feature in Android which even iOS lacked. The only reason I'm posting this is because I'm looking to switch from Android to WP8 but the list of disappointment seems to be growing :(

The official data usage app requires carrier cooperation. As such, some carriers don't support it. On my carrier they make you use their app to monitor data usage.

[StandingInAlley]

^ So does mine but still that doesn't mean why MS wouldn't bake it in their OS :/

[articuno1au]

Also Nokia Drive (which is a turn by turn GPS app) and isn't exclusive to Nokia devices. By far and away the best GPS software I've ever come across.

You can't browse the filesystem, but you can sideload apps if they're signed.

Soundhound (or whatever) is actually built into WP. You click the search button, then click the little musical note and BAM!

Not sure about pocket tanks or the trip planner.

The data issue is just a different approach. MS are trying to get all the carrier to support datasense. It's a good idea, but a complete pain in the ass if your carrier doesn't support it..

[Alwaysonacoffebreak]

Almost anything Android has WP has an counterpart :) At least with the apps I use daily basis.

[Max Norris]

You can't browse the filesystem, but you can sideload apps if they're signed.

You can with the proper modifications. For example, my wife's 710.

[vcfan]

you can sideload apps,but they have to be signed. either you get a developer certificate ($99 a year) and sign your own apps, or you have to load signed windows store apps.

[Alwaysonacoffebreak]

you can sideload apps,but they have to be signed. either you get a developer certificate ($99 a year) and sign your own apps, or you have to load signed windows store apps.

Does the cert give permission to load the apps on any phone or just 1? Not sure how this works so that's why I'm asking.

[vcfan]

Does the cert give permission to load the apps on any phone or just 1? Not sure how this works so that's why I'm asking.

once you get a developer license, you can register up to 5 devices with your account,so you can sideload apps signed by your certificate on 5 different phones. you can load a max of 10 apps on each phone.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

This is so ****ty that all WP8 devices cannot track usage of Data. It's disappointing and I found this to be an important feature in Android which even iOS lacked. The only reason I'm posting this is because I'm looking to switch from Android to WP8 but the list of disappointment seems to be growing :(

It sucks that Data Sense requires carrier support. It's such a useful tool for people that don't have an unlimited data plan. It doesn't look like my carrier supports it because I can't find the app in the Windows Phone store. Fortunately, my data plan is unlimited with a fair usage policy that limits you to 5 GB for full-speed access. It would still be nice to know how much data I use per month.

[Alwaysonacoffebreak]

I'm guessing sooner or later Nokia will "port" over the Counters app.

[BajiRav]

It sucks that Data Sense requires carrier support. It's such a useful tool for people that don't have an unlimited data plan. It doesn't look like my carrier supports it because I can't find the app in the Windows Phone store. Fortunately, my data plan is unlimited with a fair usage policy that limits you to 5 GB for full-speed access. It would still be nice to know how much data I use per month.

I thought Data Sense shows up under settings if it is available.

[jakem1]

I don't really need Data Sense either because I get unlimited data on my contract but it would be nice if MS did more to encourage mobile companies to support this and visual voicemail. It's not much good offering these features if nobody can use them. I don't really understand why Data Sense needs carrier support but it seems like MS should avoid making anything reliant on that support if it's so hard to guarantee.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I thought Data Sense shows up under settings if it is available.

You're right. It's supposed to show up there. For some reason, I thought I might find it in the WP store in case my carrier didn't pre-install it.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Windows Phone is not really an OS to buy to tinker around with like that.

You can't browse the filesystem, but you can sideload apps if they're signed.

Ouch. Any thoughts of getting WP8 are now gone for me. It's not that I need it or use its functionality on a regular basis, but I want the option for the times that I do need it.

And why is there not a standard data usage monitoring app? That seems odd today, given the varying data plan options.

[jakem1]

Ouch. Any thoughts of getting WP8 are now gone for me. It's not that I need it or use its functionality on a regular basis, but I want the option for the times that I do need it.

What times are those? Given the way the phone works, I can't think of a single reason why I need file system access. If I need access to a file I just open the app that's associated with that file.

[articuno1au]

Nokia Counter isn't available for WP8 >.>

Also, as best I'm aware, you can't get into the FS on WP8. You could on WP7, I don't think you can on WP8.

And what Jakem1 said.

[greenwizard88]

There's definitely file support built into the OS, but I'm not sure just how robust it is. Theoretically you can read files off of the SD card though, so I'd imagine you could create a file manager for the SD card, too. I haven't played around with the SDK enough to be certain though.

[UseLess]

WP is designed to be like iOS - for better or worse it is NOT a poweruser phone. I'm a power user, and i simply don't "poweruse" my WP (no custom skins, no homebrew tools, etc)

If you want your phone to be what YOU want, not what they say you want, then you have to go android - no two ways about it.

Having said all that, i have a Lumia 920, and i absolutely love it :D The OS is silky smooth, the screen is incredible, and with heavy use it still lasts a day! (no...not with whatsapp, cos thats written like horse -.-)

[Darrian]

Here's what I know:

• Data usage: WP8 has an app called Data Sense. Unfortunately, you won't be able to find the app on your phone if your carrier doesn't support it.
  
• Maps: WP8 has a maps app but Nokia's one is even better: Nokia Maps. I'd love to use it myself but it's exclusive to Nokia devices.
  
• Office: Office Hub. :)
  
• Pocket Tanks: You can find a bunch of tank games here.
  
• Transporter Help: Rail Planner.
  
• SoundHound: SoundHound.
  

.

I haven't tried Nokia's maps because I have a HTC phone, but MS's map app is pretty fantastic, too. Hopefully my next phone will be a Nokia and then I can use some of these famed apps that they have.