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 weekend 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.
Training and Certification Guide
If you are an IT professional, Microsoft certifications can be pretty important, whether they are for keeping your company's partner status intact or just for your own professional development.
Microsoft's Training and certification Guide app for Windows 8.1 makes it easy to chart a path to the certifications that you are looking for. The app provides a subway map of all of their available certs, with each stop on the way being a clickable link to in-depth information about it, including training resources.
The app provides a list of requirements, test numbers, and links that take you right to the web pages to sign up. And every page can be saved as a PDF to print or reference later.
Training and Certification Guide is incredibly easy to search and navigate. It's a fantastic resource for prospective IT workers and seasoned tech veterans alike.
- Download for Windows 8.1 (Free)
Bine
Bine is a Windows client for the video sharing site Vine. The self-proclaimed "only full Vine client for WinRT" lets you record videos right on your Windows tablet or PC and upload them to Vine.
Your creations can then be shared directly to Twitter and Facebook.
Bine also lets you explore content on the web by searching categories, trends, hashtags, and editor's picks. You can find content and fellow users by using your location as well.
If you are a Vine user, Bine is worth a look. Plus it's free.
- Download for Windows 8.1 (Free)
Video 360
Video 360 is one of the more interesting video apps to come out in recent memory, letting you watch movies that have been filmed in 360°.
Be it from your device's storage, SD Card, or YouTube (with help of sibling app Tubecast Pro), Video 360 lets you play the video and control the view by tilting the screen. The app uses the touchscreen, gyrometer, and accelerometer to take you inside the action and change the perspective.
Additionally, you can use a keyboard, mouse, or game controller to change views.
It's tough to describe just how cool the 360° video experience is. But if you have tried Tubecast Pro, the YouTube client by the same developer, you will understand what level of quality you are getting with Video 360.
- Download for Windows 8.1 ($1.99; Free trial; Buy once, get everywhere)
- Download for Windows Phone 8.1 ($1.99; Free trial; Buy once, get everywhere)
MyTwitch
MyTwitch is an unofficial app for Twitch, the popular game-streaming site.
Log in to the app with your Twitch credentials to get access to all of your favorite channels. Watch videos and live broadcasts, follow and unfollow, and chat with fellow users.
Channels can be pinned as Live Tiles and notifications can be set for when they go live.
You can also choose the quality of the stream to accommodate whatever network speed you are running on. And since it is a universal app, it is available for Windows and Windows Phone.
- Download for Windows 8.1 (Free)
- Download for Windows Phone 8.1 (Free)
PixelDefense Free
With graphics reminiscent of the original Nintendo Game Boy, you might not think much of it at first glance. However, PixelDefense ranks up at the top of the list of tower defense games for Windows and Windows Phone.
With five different weapons to choose from, you must defend your base against increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Each enemy has different strengths and uses different attack strategies.
Despite the simple design, PixelDefense is actually quite challenging, and addictive.
There isn't too much more to say about PixelDefense, other than you should buy it. You won't regret it
- Download for Windows 8.1 ($1.99; Free trial)
- Download for Windows Phone 8.1 ($1.99; Free trial)
Be sure to check out our other selections from previous weeks. Have a great weekend!
Do you have an app you want us to highlight? Drop us an email at tips@windowscentral.com with "5 Intriguing Apps" in the subject line.
