The BlackBerry Z10 is an excellent new smartphone, in our opinion. But it’s lacking some of the quality apps that Android and iOS both share. Sure, BlackBerry will introduce these apps in the future, but we need them now. If you sideload these apps, you can have them, or you can simply wait for big brother BlackBerry to pass them onto us. Whatever the case, here are six apps that the BlackBerry Z10 needs right bloody now.

Flipboard

This guy is bearded and enthused. Flipboard!

Flipboard is one of the reasons that print media is suffering. Here’s an app that takes the best part of magazines, but turns them into an interactive display of tweets, Facebook status updates and curated content. The app on tablets is especially good as it was made for larger screens. Therefore, Flipboard would be the perfect fit for the 4.2-inch display of the Z10. If you want it now, you’ll need to sideload it. And imagine BB10 Flipboard with enhanced gesture control? The mind boggles.

Whatsapp

Hopefully it will be as decent as the PlayBook version

Without a doubt, this is the best IM app on the market. While BBM had its moments, it’s cross-platform Whatsapp that is the king of the roost. It works on practically any phone, was a fan favourite on the older BBs and is dying to shine on the Z10. Thankfully Whatsapp is actually coming out before the end of March. And with some luck, it’ll still be free. Just, anything to get rid of this buggy version of Whatsapp we are currently forced to sideload.

Instagram

We’ve heard some people say that if there is no Instagram on the phone, they won’t buy that phone. The Z10 has stumbled and fallen here, as Instagram is one of the world’s most popular image-based social networks, plus it requires a decent camera to run correctly. This is where the Z10 comes in, as its 8-megapixel camera would do the world of Instagram justice. The most we can hope for now are the filters that can be applied to any photo on the Z10 in editing mode. Again, the Z10 will need a sideloaded version of Instagram. Them’s the breaks.

Skype

He’s done it

Another fatal error by team BlackBerry. Skype is undoubtedly the world’s most popular VoIP client, but it’s not available on BlackBerry as yet, although the team says they’re working on it. It might seem funny that the Z10 didn’t get Skype on day one. Windows 8 Phones received Skype at launch, after all. Then again, Skype is owned by Microsoft. With the front-facing HD camera and crisp screen, the Z10 not only needs Skype, it’s less of a phone without it.

Google Maps

Bing Maps hurts my face

Do not even get us started with the built-in BlackBerry mapping app (powered by Bing). It’s horrendous, one of the worst we’ve ever used and the GPS function barely works. But with Google Maps in tow, we’d have one hell of a mapping app. Google Maps works best on Android, is fine on iPhone and would absolutely rock on the Z10. No word yet from Google as to when we’ll see this amazing mapping app.

Spotify

And then there’s Spotify. With Spotify on a mobile device, the world of music opens up like an oyster to a hungry otter. There are other apps, such as Grooveshark and Rdio, but Spotifiy is the winner. The app is quick, clean and filled with limitless music. The Z10 needs this, and how.