It's no secret that the Android platform on which the Samsung Galaxy S8 is built has a lot more apps at its disposal than Windows 10 Mobile.
Nevertheless, if you're a Windows user looking to pick one up, there are some apps you should get immediately. Here are some of the apps you should be looking for.
What Windows users need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S8
Microsoft core apps
Rather than list all of them out one by one, it's easier just to say you should get all of Microsoft's core apps. Or all of them that you need to use, at least. Microsoft's apps on Android are very good, for the most part, and you'll be well served with regular updates.
OneNote, Outlook, Xbox and Groove Music are all present. Microsoft Authenticator is also an important app to have if you're set up with two-factor authentication on your account, which you should be. It works as well as it does on Windows and allows you to approve logins with a simple push notification.
Check out all the best Microsoft apps you can get at the link below.
The best Microsoft Apps for Android
Beam
If you're getting into Beam since Microsoft acquired it, you'll be pleased to know that there's already an official app for Android available in the Play Store. Considering there isn't even an official app for Windows 10 yet outside the Xbox One, this is a happy bonus for Galaxy S8 owners.
It's a fairly-basic experience targeted at viewing streams above anything else, but it's an experience nevertheless.
Download Beam from the Google Play Store
Skype and GroupMe
Skype might get some slack for its applications across platforms, but it's still the de-facto choice for online voice calling. It's certainly better than trying to switch over one of Google's ever-increasing number of communication apps.
GroupMe is also available should you be making use of it on Windows. It's an excellent app on any platform, and that applies to Android, too.
Cortana
Samsung has Bixby on the Galaxy S8, and Google has the Google Assistant, but neither of those can boast the freedom of Cortana. By being available cross-platform, you have some elements of synchronicity between your phone and your PC with Cortana.
You can have basic notification mirroring, and of course the benefits of using Cortana as your assistant, on both phone and PC. If you use Cortana on your Windows 10 PC, it's a no-brainer to download it to the Galaxy S8.
Recent updates have allowed access to the lock screen, and because it's Android, it's a simple process to make Cortana your default assistant.
Download Cortana from the Google Play Store
That's what we recommend for Windows users when getting started with the Galaxy S8, but if you have any hot suggestions we didn't mention be sure to drop them into the comments below.
Samsung Galaxy S8 'Microsoft Edition:' Everything you need to know
And for the full story on the Galaxy S8, head over to Android Central.
