Top 14 must have Windows Phone Apps for bloggers

We had this debate a couple of weeks ago: would you rather leave the house without money or without your phone?

My answer is phone, it keeps me on track for the day. It’s an essential time management tool (I delved into my time management here) , but I’ve also realised how much I use it to run the activities around blogging.

A quick glance at social media when I’m waiting at the schoolgate or boiling the kettle, checking comments, keeping an eye on blog stats, answering emails, jotting down a blogpost… you get the jest, right?

Here are my favourite apps on my Lumia 1020 as a blogger:

1. Twitter for Windows Phone
Simple, intuitive and does most things except scheduling. Although the Windows people hub will pull different channels together, I prefer them separately.

2. Google+

I like G+ and slowly people are realising the benefits of this social network.  This app is an easy way to keep up to date with what’s happening in your Google circles.

3. Facebook and Facebook Beta
Now you may ask- why have both? I like the stability of the regular app, but also like seeing the new features hit my phone as soon as possible.  This also allows me to quickly browse my private and public accounts without having to log in and out of a single app.

I also have my Facebook Page for the blog and some Facebook groups pinned to the start. (If you are on a Page or in a Group on your app, click the bottom right > Pin to Start)

4. Your blog page and your blog stats

So easy to pin a webpage to your start screen.  I’ve done this for my blogs and my Google analytics page, then they are at my fingertips for whenever I need to check something. (Go to your favourite websites in your browser, click the … in the bottom right corner > scroll down > Pin to Start)

5. Linked Inbox

All your mail in one place.  Again simple to set up with most main mail options pre-configured.

6. Lumia Camera

My phone is set to launch the Windows camera app when I got to take a photo.  However, the Smart Sequence feature in the Lumia Camera gives such fun pictures, especially when capture motion. Some of my favourite photos have been captured with this.

7. 6 tag

An easy and intuitive app. This has remained my first choice for Instagram, despite the release of Instagram Beta.  I’ve upgraded to the premium version so that I can record and upload videos too.  I think it’s worth it.

8. OneDrive

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE my OneDrive: I have UNLIMITED storage as Office 365 subscriber.  However, even if you don’t have an Office 365 subscription, you get oodles of space and more with each person you introduce, more again if you set your phone (any phone, be that Android or Apple) to automatically back up photos to your OneDrive.

9. OneNote

Now this is one app I could not live without.  I take notes, draft blogposts, manage to do lists, create shared documents in this app.

10. Fotor

A super little app for simple photo editing and creating collages.

11. Photoroom

This clever app has gradually drawn me in: I’ve bought all the in-app purchases to enjoy the full editing capabilities. There are vast array of editing features included in the basic app already. Photo manipulation and preset filter galour. If I’m just doing one photo, then I’ll much rather grab my phone and do it using this app.

12. Movie Maker

Each time I use this app, I’m amazed by just how much one can do with a phone: Cut out , add bits to a video, add a soundtrack, remove the sound.  This app also allows you to slow mo your clips, change to Sepia and more.  (Some of these are in-app purchases, but again, I feel it’s worth the upgrade.)

13. Timelapse Pro

Timelapse finally comes to windows phones with this app.  If you like capturing timelapses, then this app will give you a wide range of timing options and settings to capture the world around in over a period of time.

14. Blog reader- Bloglovin’ or Phonly

If you blog, you sort of want to read other blogs too, right?  The easiest way to catch what’s the news on your favourite sites, without cluttering up your inbox is through an RSS aggregater.  I’ve had Bloglovin’ for some time now and like the simplicity of it. Recently a friend suggested Feedly and I found Phonly as the Windows phone app.  Both have advantages. Have you tried these? Which do you prefer?

Have I missed anything?

If you have an Android phone or an iPhone, pop over to My Crazy good life, where Becca shares her favourite iPhone apps for blogging and equivalent Android apps. It was her post that prompted me to take stock of what apps I use most on my Lumia 1020 Windows phone.