Getting the Facts Straight: Windows Phone 7

Microsoft is launching a new mobile operating system later this year and while there is plenty of buzz about this new platform, let us take the time to run through some of the core facts that we have already confirmed about this new device.

WP7 is a new platform and not a sequel to WinMo. No doubts about it, the new user interface, features and style of the mobile platform is quite promising. Compared to the older Windows Mobile operating system, the new platform combines many of the best features of touch screen capabilities.

The user interface is fully customizable with the Tiles system. Tiles are like widgets, controllable contents and user defined positioning. While the anchoring of tiles are limited to OS defined locations, the overall feel of the phone can be set with images and colors of the user’s choosing.

Xbox Live is coming to mobile. As you may have already seen in screenshots, the new WP7 OS will support XBL connectivity. Mobile phone game achievements are already reported to be implemented so expect mobile players to start comparing gamer scores.

Speaking of games, the Visual Studio and the XNA Games Studio will be bringing some impressive new changes to the way we look at mobile games. On the graphics side, the XNA Games Studio will be enabling full 3D graphics on games. No full demos have been seen, but the initial tests with basic two-character 3D games are already graphically impressive.

We can expect to see some new 3D games from developers being announced once the OS comes out. Developers will certainly love the new Visual Studio as it allows for game progress to be carried over between smart phones, the Xbox game console to a PC.

Read more about the new WP7 OS at GSM Arena.