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Microsoft outlines Windows Phone 7 developer platform

Today at Microsoft's MIX 2010 conference in Las Vegas Microsoft took the wraps off its developer plans for Windows Phone 7.

The company announced several key application partners and its plans for Silverlight application development and the XNA framework for games. During the opening MIX 2010 keynote Microsoft provided the first look at Windows Phone 7 application development. Microsoft officials announced that developers will be able to make use of the following features:

  • Accelerometer, an intuitive control that responds to motion
  • A Microsoft Location Service to provide developers with a single point of reference to acquire location information
  • Microsoft Notification Service for pushing information to the phone, regardless of whether or not an application is running
  • Hardware-accelerated video with digital rights management (DRM)
  • Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming for the industry’s highest quality content viewing experience
  • Multitouch
  • Camera and microphone support

Microsoft also announced several free tools for Windows Phone 7 Series Developers and Designers:

  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone
  • Windows Phone 7 Series add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC
  • XNA Game Studio 4.0
  • Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for application testing
  • Expression Blend for Windows Phone Community Technology Preview (available as a separate download)

Microsoft said that several key companies are developing applications and games for Windows Phone 7 including FourSquare, Namco, Match.com, IMDb, Seesmic, Shazam, Sling Media, SPB Software and Citrix.

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