Microsoft has, as expected, officially unveiled Windows Mobile 7 and pencilled in a Holidays 2010 (Christmas to me and you) launch date. Officially called Windows Phone 7 Series, the new operating system plans to offer to offer a radically new user interface and a focus on incorporating some of their other key brands. So, whilst the software giant didn’t have any phones on show (meaning no Zune phone yet), we can expect the Zune, MS’ answer to the iPod Touch, interface to act as the main multimedia hub for music and movies. We’re still waiting for the Zune over here in Europe but from what we’ve seen of it, the user interface looks incredibly quick. If this can be mirrored on the new Windows Phones, WM users are in for a treat.

Following in the Zune’s footsteps, the new range of Windows Phones will also include Xbox Live support called the Games Hub with access to dedicated games, online content and all the social sides of the Xbox Live community such as leader boards and gamer score cards. In the future, MS hope that gamers will be able to play cross platform i.e using a phone against an Xbox 360 in a future version of Forza Motorsport but for now all they could show us was playing simple community games such as cards and puzzlers. Still impressive to think that you could play your mates on your phone while they’re sate at home on their Xbox 360. The main interface of the OS has also been given a huge overhaul with a home screen with multiple pages and tiles acting as shortcuts. It looks incredibly snazzy but we’ll reserve judgment till we’ve seen a device running the OS.

Microsoft are keen to extend the Hub theme across multiple areas of the Windows Phone experience and so we also get a People Hub and Photo Hub. People Hub is a jazzed up version of your contacts list which pulls in live updates from Facebook and Outlook (including profile pictures and status updates), aggregates multiple forms of contact and, best of all, lets you post replies to Facebook comments from the contacts list, without having to launch a web page or Facebook app. Similarly, Photo Hub is your photo gallery letting you not only view on the phone but also tag, upload and more.

This new level of usability has come at a cost as Microsoft do appear to be closing down some areas of customisation so features such as HTC’s TouchFlo 3D interface will not be an option on future releases. Regardless, HTC have committed themselves to the platform and promise to launch at least one Windows Phone before the year is out. Keep your eyes on the blog for more info as and when we get it.