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Windows Mobile phones to get Xbox Live games?

Rumours abound that software giant Microsoft is to bring the Xbox Live online gaming experience to Windows Mobile handsets. It follows the pre-Christmas publication of a job advertisement for a "principal program manager".

According to the advert, Microsoft was seeking an individual able to "bring Xbox Live-enabled games to Windows Mobile" – a position the company has apparently now filled. Windows Mobile 7 is expected at the end of this year, marking an eventful era for Microsoft's mobile operating system.

Technology analysts have suggested that community elements of Xbox Live will be at the forefront of the proposed new service, with Microsoft particularly set on focusing on avatar integration, social interactions and multiscreen experiences. They have drawn attention to the job advert's indication of intended competition with smartphone giant Apple, with speculation persisting that Microsoft is planning a Zune handset to tackle the domination of the iPhone.

Zune Social, an online service for anyone who owns a Microsoft Zune music player, already syncs with Live Anywhere, enabling users to combine their Zune IDs and Xbox Live gamertag IDs. Windows Mobile has not been linked with other parts of the system so far, however.