Microsoft has launched a new mobile software Windows Phone. This mobile software is based on Windows Mobile 6.5. Which means, the software you see on Windows-based mobiles will now be known as Windows Phone, not Windows Mobile.

The new phones will feature “a new user interface and richer browsing experience”, says Microsoft. Windows® mobiles will also feature two new software: My Phone - to sync messages, photos, video, contacts and more to the Web and Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, “a new marketplace that will provide direct-to-phone mobile applications and can be accessed from both the phone and the Web.”

The new interface will provide a ‘dashboard-like experience’ and also includes an improved touch screen interface and an updated version of Internet Explorer.

Top mobile companies (Microsoft calls them ‘mobile partners’ such as HTC and LG showcased mobiles based on the new platform at the Mobile World Congress 2009. HTC’s Touch Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2, announced at the Mobile Congress, will be upgradeable to Windows Mobile 6.5.

LG will add a Windows Mobile 6.5 version to the LG-GM7300. The phone now runs on Windows Mobile 6.1

The phones that run on the new OS will be available in the second half of this year, says Microsoft.

Mr Jack Schofield of the Guardian says it’s still a horizontal platform strategy. Microsoft does the software and hardware manufacturers such as HTC innovate on top.