Microsoft is launching its Windows Phone 7 software today on nine new smartphones from Dell, HTC, and Samsung. One of the key features is the ability to access your Xbox Live account via the phone&'s menu.
Xbox Live has its own hub within the phone&'s user interface. That&'s important because it differentiates Microsoft&'s Windows Phone 7 phones from all the others in the market now, including the iPhone.
You tap on the Xbox Live icon and it takes you to your Xbox Live account avatar, or character, with your gamerscore number and gamertag name. You can view the library of games you have on the phone, including Xbox Live-enabled titles, as well as recommended &''spotlight&'' titles. In that respect, the Xbox Live feature is great for discovering new content.
On top of that, you can download a new feature called Xbox Live Extras, which will let you edit your profile or change your avatar&'s clothes to anything else that you have in your avatar&'s closet on your Xbox Live account. You can see what your friends are doing and what they are playing. You can compare achievements with anyone on your friend&'s list. And you can send messages to anyone in the Xbox Live community via Xbox Live text messages.
Microsoft is making its 3D puzzle game Ilomilo available for free to all AT&'T users. Among the Xbox Live titles available for download today are a4‚¬AFlowerz,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AFogger HD,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AFlight Control,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AStar Wars: Battle for Hoth,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ABejeweled LIVE,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AThe Harvest,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ARocket Riot,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AEarthworm Jim HD,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AThe Sims 3,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ADe Blob Revolution,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ATwin Blades,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AHexic Rush,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ATetris Monopoly,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AUno HD,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ACarneyVale: Showtime,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AGlyder,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AO.M.G.,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AGlow Artisan,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AThe Revenants,a4‚¬¯ a4‚¬ANeed for Speeda4‚¬¯ a4‚¬AMore Brain Exercise,a4‚¬¯ and a4‚¬AGuitar Hero 5.a4‚¬¯
Microsoft plans to release new games in the Marketplace section of the phone each week at prices ranging from $2.99 to $9.99. Be sure to check out our review of Windows Phone 7.
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Companies: Microsoft
Companies: Microsoft
Dean is lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He covers video games, security, chips and a variety of other subjects. Dean previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, the Red Herring, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register and the Dallas Times Herald. He is the author of two books, Opening the Xbox and the Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Follow him on Twitter at @deantak, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
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