5 Essential (Free) Windows 8 Tablet Apps

It’s an exciting time for Windows 8 tablet users.

The ecosystem of apps designed around Microsoft’s new OS is growing weekly, and I finally feel like Windows 8 is finally beginning to hit its stride. Whether you were an early adapter, or just unpacking your new Intel-based tablet, these apps below should not be missed.

OneNote

I love this app. Not only is it a nice word processing program, it is also great for creating lists and on the go notes. OneNote makes organizing your notes (stories, trip details) easy by featuring sections and pages within each of your notebooks. Simply put, OneNote is like having a digital version of those thick 5-subject notebooks on your tablet that can be used online and off, and synced seamlessly across all of your devices, including iOS. For me, what makes OneNote really shine is its functionality; the program was clearly designed with touch in mind.

Snes 8x

When I first found this free Super Nintendo emulator in the Windows 8 App Store, I was stoked. What made this one different from the plethora of other emulators on the interwebs is that it, like all of the apps in this post, is built for Windows 8 touch in mind. The emulator runs brilliantly on my Atom tablet and recent updates, including one that added more touch control options, have made the app even better. Snes 8x features plug in play connectivity for Xbox 360 controllers and if you want to get really crazy, you can always hook up your tablet to your HDTV for some truly awesome old school gaming.

KEXP

If you love music, do yourself a favor and download this app now. In a world dominated by Clear Channel (Yes, I Heart Radio is Clear Channel too), Seattle’s KEXP waves its freak flag proudly, bringing its audience an endless stream of fantastic music. In addition to live streaming, the app also features live video and audio performers as well as KEXP’s Song of the Day.

Fotor

One of the great things about using an Intel-based Windows 8 tablet is having the option of using legacy apps, like Photoshop Elements. Unfortunately, while the programs will run on the tablet, they are not suited to touch and can make the process of simple edits a real headache. Enter Fotor. This is a great app for quickly sprucing up your images, cropping and/or putting together a collage. I was surprised at the amount of options this app had, especially since it is free. Fotor features basic editing tools, visual effects (think: Instagram), frames, 1-tap enhance, collage, text, tilt shift and a raw converter.

Everyday Food

My cooking skill have always been lackluster, and it’s something that I’ve been trying to rectify for years. And it’s just not the cooking part either, I have a hard time finding recipes, creating a shopping list and then preparing the meal. That is what I really like about Everyday Food. In addition to a nice selection of recipes, which are updated regularly, I can also email the recipe link to myself or place into OneNote. From there, the link will take me to the Everyday Food’s website where I can add the ingredients to my shopping list, which I can access through my iPhone. The other thing I really like about Everyday Food is that the Daily recipes each feature a video tutorial.

What are your Windows 8 essential touch apps?

*Full Disclosure: Intel Smart Squad sent us the Acer Iconia W510 to test drive; however, our thoughts and opinions are our own. Additionally, Beers and Beans does not condone piracy, and offers this information for entertainment purposes only.

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