Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Series will include Netflix streaming and Xbox Live online gaming features, the company confirmed at its annual MIX event, revealing additional details about its pending revamped mobile OS platform.
Netflix apps are available on several different mobile products, but native features have been restricted to viewing and changing a movie queue. Netflix instant viewing, streaming movies will be supported on Windows Phone 7 Series devices using Silverlight, the company revealed, but other details weren't disclosed.
Microsoft wants Xbox Live on Windows phones, which will help give their phones a distinct advantage and compete with Sony Ericson phones, which are expected to support PlayStation Network in the near future. The company showed full-scale mobile game play videos during the tech event, hoping to prove its platform is appealing.
Microsoft said Windows Phone 7 Series won't kill its Zune HD MP3 player and that they believe Windows Phone 7 Series-powered phones will be very popular next holiday shopping season.
Microsoft has thus far been unable to keep up with RIM, Apple, Samsung, Google, and other companies that have developed more robust smartphone platforms. I'm still not sure if this will be enough for Microsoft to attract consumers back to their fledgling Windows Mobile platform. I'm one of a growing number of people who believe this is Microsoft's last chance to try and climb back into the mobile phone software market. Although Windows Phone 7 Series looks slick, will it be able to compete with the now popular smartphone platforms that continue to evolve? Only time will tell.
Microsoft will continue promoting the perks of its upcoming OS while releasing stop-gap devices such as the Project Pink phones and Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. Currently WinMo 6.5 users will be unable to update their phones to Windows Phone 7 when it's released later this year.
Check the video below to see a Microsoft demo of Xbox Live hub on Windows Phone 7 Series.
