In terms of user interface App Social now feels more in line with Nokia's other apps. For example, the pivot labels in the main view of the app are now a more standard size and the pages have been reordered in a more logical fashion.
Other enhancements include an improved Live Tile (now with back flip), a new layout for the Spotlight and Featured pages (rotating carousel of Apps, Collections, and Users), and a redesigned App Feed page (entries grouped by day and ability to follow from a feed entry). Most notable though are changes to the Leaderboard, with new categories and the use of a trending algorithm ensuring that the social content is regularly updated and stays fresh (i.e. not just the same content "stuck" at the top of the leaderboards).
The introduction of a tutorial for first time users is a welcome addition to App Social, given that the app can feeling a little overwhelming at first glance, especially compared to earlier incarnations of App Highlights. The tutorial, which explains the key concepts of the app, can subsequently be accessed from the "getting started" link on the about page.
The core functionality of Apps Highlights, which we described in a previous story, remains unchanged, but the refinements to the user interface and a lengthy testing period do justify the decision to drop the beta label from the app's name. App Social could still benefit from having more users, but there's no doubt it provides a compelling alternative to the standard Store app, one that should have particular appeal to those that like the idea of people powered app recommendations.
Windows Phone Store description:
App Social (formerly App Highlights) offers an exciting way to discover great apps exclusively for your Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 device. Browse a wide array of curated collections, create your own app lists, have the community follow your collections, and rise to the top of the leaderboard!
Top Features:
- Discover all the great apps your friends & popular users are using in the Apps feed
- Create and share lists of apps with your friends and with the world in order to gain likes and followers for your lists
- Top liked, followed, and list creators rise to the top of the leaderboard!
- Search for your friends and tech celebrities to start following them and gain insights from their lists of apps
- Enjoy browsing through tons of different apps lists brought to you by Nokia and App Social users around the world
App Social is a free download from the Windows Phone Store