Windows Phone 7 Mango Games Hub explained

As part of a series of previews, Microsoft on Thursday gave a closer look at the Games Hub in Windows Phone 7 Mango. The revamp brings some of the features that had previously been locked away in the Extras app and now has 3D, moving avatars that react, including in side-by-side achievement comparisons. The Collection view is now optimized for quickly finding a game over icon size and pushes recently played games to the top.

The consistency of the integration with Xbox Live is now better, Microsoft added: gamers can reply to Xbox Live messages sent from any other platform with emoticons passing over to the avatar. Xbox Live status is readily visible, and achievements get a detailed breakdown with comparison options much like on the Xbox. Game invites or other requests pop up as notifications and get a history in the Games Hub.

Players can now edit their profiles on-device and have a cleaner Spotlight section for the latest news.

Mango is due to reach WP7 phones sometime in the fall and is commonly thought to be arriving sometime in September or October.

By Electronista Staff