With the ever-growing number of apps and games in the Windows Store, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with what's out there.
For that reason, every Friday we showcase some apps that have piqued our interest. They may have been in the news recently, they may be new to the Windows Store, or they could simply be old apps that we just stumbled upon.
They are the 5 Intriguing Apps of the Week.
GDrive.NET
GDrive.NET is a third-party client for Google Drives that you can use on your phone or computer.
Designed for use with Windows 10, GDrive.NET lets you quickly find, open, and share your files. It also gives you all of the built-in views that you are used to seeing in Google Drive, such as Recent, Shared, and Pictures.
The free version of GDrive.NET is ad-supported and will give the basic ability to access and manage your files. If you buy the full version, you will get some additional features like password protection, themes, automatic camera uploads, and Google Docs browser support.
GDrive.NET performs well, loading folder views quickly and opening them as fast as your internet connection will let you. Combine that with the clean interface and intuitive controls and you get one of the better Google Drive apps for Windows 10.
Bandsider
Liquid Daffodil, developer of popular apps like fanband, released a new social app called Bandsider this past week.
The app seeks to unite fellow Microsoft Band owners by connecting them online. With Bandsider, you can locate Band fans on local and world maps and message them directly from your wrist. You can also compete in challenges with users around the globe and earn badges.
Bandsider offers other tools for your Microsoft Band as well. You can configure alerts, manage tiles, and set up custom locators. Plus you get access to over 1500 themes. Like a theme that another Bandsider member uses? Simply copy and paste it to your Band.
Bandsider is a truly innovative way to tap into the Microsoft Band's potential. Get the most out of your device and perhaps make some new friends along the way.
Infinity for reddit
There are a lot of great Reddit apps out there and Infinity for Reddit is not usually one that you hear about. However, this newly-redesigned universal app for Windows 10 PC and Mobile definitely deserves some attention.
The UI is gorgeous, with a column for your list of subreddits, another for the posts, and then a larger viewing section for displaying your selected post. The viewing pane can show pictures, Imgur albums, animated GIFs, videos, and more without having to open them in an external browser. Although you can opt to open them in your browser if you'd like. You can also download or share images and links with friends right from the app.
Navigating subreddits is fantastic, with the option to click on individual posts, use the built-in forward and back arrows, or just simply scroll through them using your mouse's scroll button.
Infinity for Reddit offers up the same experience whether you are using it on your PC, tablet, phone, or in Continuum mode. If have one or more Reddit accounts, you can login to comment and access your personalized settings. And all of your favorites will sync between your devices.
There are countless other tweaks and settings that you can personalize as well. With its latest update, Infinity for Reddit has certainly become one of the better Reddit clients out there.
Transcoder
Transcoder
Transcoder is an audio and video file converter for Windows 10 computers and phones. Simply choose the file or files you want to convert, the format to convert them to, and the output folder and you are ready to go.
The app will accept .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .avi, .wma, .mp3, .m4a, .wav, and .flac. You can convert them to your choice of .mp4, .wmv, .avi, .wma, .mp3, .m4a, and .wav.
Titles and captions can be added from images, videos, or audio files, or from the files' metadata.
Another nice feature is that Transcoder will convert your files in the background, so you don't have to sit around waiting with the app open until it finishes. That makes it convenient to line up a batch of files to process and still be able to multitask.
Transcoder is a straight-forward one-trick pony, although the one trick it does, it does well. You may not use it every day, but you will be happy to have it when you need it.
Dawn of Steel
Last week, Dawn of Steel, the hit strategy game made popular on iOS and Android, made its Windows 10 debut.
This sci-fi war game has you building bases and cranking out armaments to defend it, while simultaneously building up troops to take out the enemy. Navigate the terrain and control your units by touching and swiping the screen.
Dawn of Steel sports some impressive 3D graphics and animations that really bring the struggle to conquer the planet to life.
This is the first iteration of Dawn of Steel, so there may be some room for improvement, but it's an exciting start. You can get the game for free on your Windows 10 PC, tablet, or phone, though there are plenty of in-app purchases available to boost your army.
Be sure to check out our other selections from previous weeks. Have a great weekend!
