Windows Phone scores more premium apps -- Adobe Photoshop Express and Roku

Being number three can be good. In the Olympics, it is good enough for a bronze medal. However, there are different levels of third place, as it depends on how many competitors there are.

When it comes to smartphones, Windows Phone is a distant third in a race that only has three legitimate competitors, with iPhone and Android being the other two. Microsoft’s platform however, is making huge strides and today gets two premium apps -- Adobe Photoshop Express and Roku. Apple and Google should be worried.

Adobe is a longtime Microsoft partner, so it was disappointing that Photoshop Express was absent from Windows Phone. Today’s addition however, really shows the momentum that Microsoft’s mobile platform is gaining.

Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft explains, "Photoshop Express makes it really easy to edit photos you take on your Windows Phone device really quickly and comes with the basic photo-editing features you would expect like crop, straighten, rotate, flip, and red-eye removal. You can also alter the color of your photos through slider controls that let you adjust exposure, contrast, clarity, vibrancy, and more. But one of the best things about Photoshop Express is its one-touch filters – called 'Looks'. You can choose over 20 Looks for your photos and purchase a Looks Pack and Noise Reduction Pack within the app if you want to really get creative. Download Adobe Photoshop Express for Windows Phone and started editing your photos".

The Roku app is equally exciting for Windows Phone users. While Google and Apple offer low-cost streaming hardware (Chromecast and Apple TV), Microsoft doesn't. A Roku box is an awesome option to avoid the companies that control Android and iOS. Users can finally control their Roku with their favorite Windows Phone device.

"You asked, we delivered! A Roku app for Windows is now available for Windows 8/8.1 phones and Windows 8.1 devices in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Republic of Ireland. We're thrilled to add Windows to our mobile app lineup, joining our Android and iOS mobile apps", says Roku.

The company further explains, "once connected to your WiFi network, use the app to control any Roku player connected to the same network. Our handy on-screen remote allows you to control and navigate your Roku player. Like our Android and iOS mobile apps, you can easily view and launch your favorite Roku channels in a tap".

Will these apps cause Windows Phone to overtake iPhone and Android? No. However, it does show that developers are further embracing the platform. It is an exciting time to be a Windows Phone user and the future is looking very bright.