In an earlier post, we have discussed how to make your Android device look like an iPhone. In this one, we shall see how to make it look like a Windows Phone, complete with full support for colorful Live Tiles as well as the slide-up lock screen; and do a lot more with the (Windows Phone like) user interface on your Android device. What’s more, you can do all this without paying a cent. The components are smooth enough and are light on resources too. So you shouldn’t experience lags while using your “WinDroid” Phone/Tablet. Page Contents App RequirementsYou need to install the following apps on your Android device to get the Windows Phone look and feel: Launcher 8 – Windows Phone home and app screen with Live Tiles support (Lock screen included). A.I. Type Keyboard – Use the Windows Tablet Keyboard theme. Messaging 7 – Windows style messaging app (SMS/MMS). ![]() WP7 Contact/Dialer – Windows look alike Contacts and Dialer apps. Windows Phone Notifications – To receive Windows Phone like app notifications. ZPlayer – A media player that looks like the Zune Media Player of Windows Phone. Just go to the Google Play Store and install the apps listed above. All these apps (except ZPlayer) have a free version available. However, paid alternatives are also available for WP7 Contacts, WP Notifications and A.I. Type Keyboard; but the free apps should be just fine for you. And of course, there are also ways of getting paid apps for free. Setting up Launcher 8Once the app installations are completed, the first task is to configure Launcher 8. Just press the Home key on our Android device and a popup will appear prompting you to select an app to perform the action. At the bottom of this popup, you will see a check box for “Use as Default”. Check that option and select Launcher 8. You are immediately taken to your new home screen containing several app-specific Live Tiles. The home screen is fully customizable and one can easily change the number, size, color of tiles on the home screen (and loads of other options). The Launcher 8 app also includes a custom lock screen that resembles that of Windows Phone (The slide-up-to-unlock type). You can also put a separate wallpaper for the lock screen. Similarly, password protection can also be applied to the lock screen. The home screen and locker can be edited and configured by pressing the Menu hard key >> Theme. You have now successfully set up Launcher 8. Download Launcher 8. Setting up Windows Phone KeyboardA.I. Type keyboard is a good custom keyboard available for the Android platform. It has a number of themes to imitate keyboards of different style. The free version offers text prediction up to 14 days after which the prediction service will be discontinued. Other features (like theming), however remain active. After installation is complete, go to the App list by swiping right to left from the Launcher 8 home screen. Open A.I. Type Keyboard (should be near the top of the list since the list is alphabetically arranged). The Activation wizard should start automatically the first time; if it doesn’t, select “A.I. Type Activation Wizard”. The wizard takes you through the steps to configure A.I. Type for first use: Enable A.I. Type Keyboard >> Set it as default >> Test the keyboard >> Change A.I. Type Settings. On this step, select the “Change A.I. Type Settings” option >> Go to Appearance tab >> Keyboard Theme and select Windows 8 Tablet Theme. Congratulations, Now you’ll see a Windows tablet keyboard when you type something. Download and install A.I. Type Keyboard(Free version available without text prediction) ![]() Windows phone like SMS/Messaging app for AndroidMessaging 7 is an innovative messaging app that could be installed as your default SMS/MMS app and imitates the Messaging app for Windows. It also includes cool animations and is pretty smooth to use. Use an app to send and receive free text-based messages on your smartphone, thereby avoiding the often expensive GSM-based SMS. Most apps require either Wi-Fi or a data plan.
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What We Like
What We Don't Like
Use WhatsApp to communicate for free with other WhatsApp users. The service supports free text messaging using your mobile number as well as voice and video chatting. In addition, you can push your contacts into groups to engage in group-based conversations. With a large and active user base, WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used alternatives to stock SMS apps.
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Facebook MessengerWhat We Like
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More than 1 billion people worldwide use Facebook. Facebook's Messenger app supports conversations, stickers, group conversations and rich content. The app integrates with your Facebook account, and you can access Messenger on a mobile app or from within the familiar Facebook website on your desktop PC.
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LINEWhat We Like
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Line offers a lot of features — more than WhatsApp and Viber. Besides the free messaging service, users can also call on another for free, for any length of time and from any location to any other location in the world.
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Kik MessengerWhat We LikeBackup Sms From Windows Phone
What We Don't Like
Kik is developed by an enthusiastic team and is optimized for being a fast and robust app. It transforms regular texting into a real-time conversation. It works on different platforms and is support on most platforms including Symbian, which is quite rare.
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ViberWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
Viber works just like KakaoTalk. It also has also a huge user base, nearing 200 million. It offers free text messaging and free voice calls to other Viber users and supports group text messaging. It is available for the iPhone, Android phones and BlackBerry but not for Nokia and Symbian.
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SkypeWhat We Like
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Skype, one of the original apps for texting and making calls, still boasts a massive userbase. With Skype, you can chat with or call other Skype users and engage in group messaging and file sharing. In addition, Microsoft — the owner of Skype — offers several paid options to support sending and receiving calls to non-Skype users.
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SignalWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
Designed for privacy, Signal encrypts messages end-to-end so that no one, not even Signal employees, can read your messages. The service is intended to be used among Signal users, using an array of methods including text, voice, video and file sharing. Signal is sponsored by Open Whisper Systems and has received the endorsement of privacy activists including Edward Snowden.
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SlackWhat We LikeSms Microsoft App
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Originally used by programmers and by people in tech-savvy office environments, Slack is a text-based messaging client that's deeply embedded in the IT/technology space. Slack runs on mobile and desktop, and it hooks deeply with many IT services to provide real-time notifications about automated events.
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DiscordWhat We Like
What We Don't Like
Discord, a free app, is optimized for computer gamers. Besides offering smartphone and desktop apps, Discord is designed to use little bandwidth, to avoid affecting streaming gameplay. The service offers free text and voice communication with individuals or groups who are also Discord users. Comments are closed.
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