Microsoft has used its own MIX10 event and the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) interactive festival in Austin to cast more light on its forthcoming Windows Phone 7 OS.

Key specifications for both developers and manufacturers eager to work with the platform have now been revealed, Microsoft stating that the hardware specification will enable high levels of integration between Phone 7 handsets and Xbox 360.

Super-specs

Bit-tech.net reports Microsoft claimed its GPU would deliver DirectX 9 acceleration, including support for Shader Model 3 which enables developers to do high dynamic range lighting, enabling games to look like PC titles circa 2004.

The OS is will run at a minimum resolution of 480x320, with CPUs required to be an ARMv7 Cortex/Scorpion or better.

Manufacturers will also have to include at least 256MB of RAM and 8GB of flash memory. At least a 5-megapixel camera with a hard button to snap photos is also on Microsoft's check-list.

One at a time

According to a report on Wired, Microsoft has also confirmed that Windows Phone 7 won't fully support multi-tasking.

The site quotes app platform and developer experience program manager Charlie Kindel as saying it may be a feature Microsoft aims for in the future, but it won't initially make the line-up.

"We do not allow third-party applications running on the phone to execute in the background," Kindel told the site.

"We're poised to support it eventually, but in order to support great battery life and great end-user experience, we’re focusing on the integrated experiences first."

Samsung at the ready

Handsets already appear to be reaching fruition, however, with IntoMobile snapping shots of a previously unknown Samsung smartphone running the OS.

Corporate VP and director of Windows Phone program management Joe Belfiore demoed the handset on stage at MIX10, but didn't go as far as to name it.

Regardless, the Samsung handset is the second Windows Phone 7 model to be seen in the flesh so far, LG having previously unwrapped its own unnamed handset, due for launch at some point in Q4.