An inside look at Windows Phone 7 and its first phones (images)

 Microsoft may already have its work cut out for its Windows Phone 7 operating system with strong competition from Apple and Google's Android already on the market.

Here's a gallery of screen shots to introduce you to Windows Phone 7 and give you a look at some of the first phones that will use it.. Here, the Start screen on Windows Phone 7 puts what’s most important to phone users front-and-center, making it obvious and accessible.

Credit: Microsoft

The People Hub will pull in Facebook status updates and provide contact information and phone numbers. Users can take actions like responding to updates or sending a text message right from the Hub.

Games could be Microsoft's biggest advantage with its existing lineup of Xbox titles that could be refitted into a smartphone. It extends the Xbox LIVE social gaming and delivers a mobile gaming experience users can only get on Windows Phone 7.

Another potential advantage is mobile versions of Microsoft Office. It includes familiar Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile to view and edit documents. Users can also access information via Microsoft SharePoint Workspace Mobile 2010.

Windows Phone 7 includes a dedicated camera button that works even when a phone is locked to help capture that important shot. Windows Phone also makes it easy to view pictures, share them with others and view and comment on others’ pictures from this Hub.

The Music + Videos Hub puts all media in one place, including songs, videos and podcasts. Users can listen to FM radio or stream and download music from the Web. Zune Marketplace enables users to explore new media while on the go and share with friends.

Windows Phone 7 integrates Bing Search with built-in GPS and Bing Maps. Local search provides access to phone numbers, ratings and reviews, and directions. In select locations, choose from driving or walking routes, view street-level images and real-time traffic updates.

Here's a calendar day view of  Windows Phone 7.

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer

Find my phone.

The marketplace hub.

The email box.

An opened email.

At its event, Microsoft is showing off new Windows Phone 7-based smart phones. Here is the Dell Venue Pro which is Dell's only offering of the bunch. All Windows Phone 7 handsets come with a capacitive touch screen, a 1GHz processor, and three navigation keys below. The Dell Venue Pro also includes a slide-up keyboard. It will come to T-Mobile USA.

The HTC 7 Mozart will be available in Europe on the Orange network and in Australia on Telstra.

The HTC Surround has a 3.8-inch touch screen, a 5-megapixel camera, and 16GB of internal memory. It also has two Dolby Mobile surround sound speakers that slide up, and a kickstand. You can also pick it up in Canada on Telus.

Like the Surround and the Samsung Focus, the LG Quantum will cost $199.99 and has a 5-megapixel camera. It supports DLNA through the Play To app preloaded on the device. It will be sold in the U.S. by AT&T.

The Samsung Focus is a Windows Phone 7 for AT&T. It features a 9.9mm body and a Super AMOLED touch screen, like the phones in Samsung's Galaxy S series that debuted earlier this year.

HTC 7 Trophy is for users in Asia and Europe.

HTC HD 7 will come to T-Mobile USA, to the UK, and Germany on O2, and to Spain on Movistar. It will also come to Singapore on the SingTel network.