Microsoft officials today described how upcoming Windows Phone 7 smartphones will perform within a network of Windows 7 PCs and Xbox gaming consoles through a new Windows Live cloud platform to make the mobile experience easier and more powerful for workers and consumers.

"We're back, and we're back with something very different and very innovative," with Windows Phone 7 and Windows Live, said Andy Lees, senior vice president of mobile communications at Microsoft. He spoke at the software maker's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Washington, which was also broadcast live over the Web.

Lees said Microsoft was committed to having WP7 in devices shipping by the year-end holidays. He also promised developers that applications that they write will work with "100% consistency" across a uniform screen size and with features in devices coming from HTC, Samsung, LG, and Dell. The devices will also be available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish at launch. The consistency comment was a clear attempt to resonate with developers who have raised concerns about various hardware dimensions and features in Android and other smartphones.

More: http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/windows-live-integrate-windows-7-phones-pcs-xbox-in-the-cloud-136