14 DAY TRIAL // This fall, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft will make available a new version of its mobile operating system, called Windows Phone Mango, which should bring a wide range of enhancements, some of which will affect the experience users receive from the Xbox LIVE that was integrated with the Games Hub on the platform.
The company already provided a series of details on what will the new Games Hub include, but now they offer a better overview of the entire Xbox LIVE experience that Windows Mango is set to arrive on the market with.
The main changes in Windows Phone Mango will include the integration of 3D avatars in the Games Hub right from the start.
These avatars will offer users more ways to interact with them. For example, when shacking the phone, the avatar will take action, such as start dancing, or even faint, but there are other things that it can do as well.
With Mango, users will be able not only to read and reply to Xbox LIVE messages sent from another Windows Phone, but also to those sent from a PC, or an Xbox console.
The avatar’s expression will change if the message contains certain emoticons, so that it would reflect the. However, if the sender puts too many emoticons inside the message, the avatar will look bewildered.
Other changes in the new Games Hub in Mango include:
- Connect with Xbox LIVE friends: Find out if your Xbox LIVE friends are currently online through the friend status view. You can also search, browse, initiate, and respond to friend requests right from your Windows Phone 7. - Integrated achievements and new comparison views: See the recent games your friends have been playing, and compare gamerscores and achievements for all Xbox LIVE games played on the phone, console, or PC. - Edit your profile: Moved to a new city? Have a new motto in life? Now you can update your name, bio, motto, and location right from the phone. - Improved Spotlight content: We’ve improved the news and info delivered to you via Spotlight in the Games Hub. Your window to the Xbox LIVE community will now be complemented with rich and vibrant images! - Improved game request notifications: In Mango, you’ll receive notifications for multiplayer game or turn requests and can track them in the Requests section of the Games Hub
Apparently, Microsoft came up with many of these enhancements based on the feedback they received from users, which means that they should indeed make the owners of handsets based on Mango rejoice.
