Voxer, Comcast Xfinity Apps & More Come To Windows Phone 8

Five new, official and friee apps from large brands have come to the Windows Phone marketplace built from the ground up to take advantage of the Windows Phone 8 platform. I’ve been using the word momentum to describe what is happening with the recent trend of branded apps coming to the platform. It seems a distant memory when people were saying that developers and companies were abandoning their interest in the platform. These releases come on the heels of yesterday’s announcement by Microsoft that they have passed 160,000 apps in the Windows Phone marketplace. Lets dive in shall we:

Voxer-Voxer turns Windows Phone 8 into a walkie-talkie, letting you send live audio clips to anyone or everyone in your Voxer contact list. What’s nice about the service is that recipients can either choose to listen as you talk—or catch it later at their convenience, since each push-to-talk conversation is simultaneously stored as a mini-voicemail. Voxer lets you text, send photos, and share your location, too. Live Tiles notify you when new messages arrive, and Lock screen notifications can tell you how many messages are waiting for you before you even unlock your phone. Pick it up here: Voxer

Xfinity TV Remote-Top-quality TV entertainment is now easy to control right from your Windows Phone, with the new Comcast’s XFINITY TV Remote app. XFINITY offers some of the best in movies, TV shows, and on-demand programming, and this handy app lets you browse listings, control your TV, even schedule recordings, right from your Windows Phone. Pick it up here: Xfinity TV Remote

ABC News-View up-to-the-minute articles, videos, slideshows, and live video from ABC News with their official new app. Looking for something fast? Use Live Tiles to pin  favorite sections like Money or Sports to your Start screen—or use your voice to request the latest news and videos. Stay in-the-know with breaking news alerts and turn your Lock screen wallpaper into a photo collage that showcases top stories and tweets from ABC News commentators. And you can help spread the news yourself via SMS, Facebook, Twitter, Email or Tap + Send. Pick it up here: ABC News

MarketWatch-Big shot investors and small-time traders alike will find value in the MarketWatch app for Windows Phone 8, which delivers news and numbers you need to manage your portfolio. With real-time market quotes, breaking business news, podcasts, and customized watch lists, MarketWatch ensures you’re in the financial loop. Pick it up here: MarketWatch

Walgreens-The new Walgreens app for Windows Phone 8 makes it easier than ever to reorder and track prescriptions, plus enjoy some of the chain’s other handy services. Use the app and your phone to scan the barcode on your prescription bottle for instant medication refills, plus set text alert reminders to let you know when you’re almost out. With Quick Prints, just choose some shots in your Windows Phone camera roll and hit send—then pick up prints about an hour later at the Walgreens of your choice. How cool is that? If you carry a Walgreen’s rewards card, add it to your Windows Phone Wallet so you never lose a point. Pick it up here: Walgreens