Microsoft today detailed the new Games Hub for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Mango update. The new Games Hub will provide users a cleaner and lighter design that emphasizes on the user’s game collection an a better integration with Xbox LIVE.
In a blog post at the Windows Phone blog, Microsoft talks about how the Games Hub will have a new look in the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Mango update as well as improved performance and speed. The Games Hub in Mango will have 3D animated avatars, a new Collection view, as well as numerous other features.
In the Mango update, Microsoft will be introducing a new Recent category to show the user the last three games played, when the users collection exceeds 20 games. This will allow the user to view and play their recently played games in a quick fashion.
3D avatars are now included with the Mango update. “Avatars on the phone are also now more playful: They wave at you, yawn, and perform a host of other actions. Shake your phone and your avatar dances—or even faints. Bug your poor alter ego too much and it might lash out at you (I won’t spoil the surprise by saying what it does) or pull the Collection screen into view to hide behind (my personal favorite).”
The Mango update will also give the users a better Xbox LIVE integration with their Windows Phone. Users will now have improved Xbox LIVE messaging, allow users to connect with Xbox LIVE friends, see the recent games the user’s friends have played, and compare gamerscores and achievements for all Xbox LIVE games played on the phone, console, or PC. The Gamers Spotlight has been improved with vibrant images and improved game request notifications.
The Mango update is expected to deliver over 500 new features for the platform and will be available for free to Windows Phone 7 customers. New phones will begin to ship with “Mango” this fall and more details about specific device updates will be available at a later time.
Further reading: Mango, Microsoft, Windows Phone 7
