At MWC, Microsoft officially announced Windows Mobile 6.5.  The new OS will power the next generation of Windows Phones and, as expected, has a major emphasis on touch navigation, Cloud-syncing and functionality with Windows Live services.

• The WM6.5 Lock screen features new iPhone-like sliders to unlock the phone.  This screen also provides instant access to new voicemail, text messages and other important information.
• A new slider interface on the Home or Today Screen with sliding access to email, voicemail, text messages, calendar, pictures, music and more (right screenshot above).
• Email supports Live Hotmail, POP/IMAP accounts and Outlook syncing. 
• The Programs menu (left screenshot) has the honeycomb interface we’ve been seeing for months.
• All Windows Phone will have a Windows hardware button that takes users to the Programs menu.
• IE Mobile 6 (center screenshot) is a completely revamped version of mobile Internet Explorer with swipe and zoom control and a more desktop-like experience.  Flash support is also included.
• Voice-capable IM via Windows Live Messenger allows you to chat with voice clips.
• Microsoft My Phone Cloud-syncing service with 200GB of storage for syncing photos, calendar entries, music, videos, documents, text messages, email.  All data backed-up to My Phone can be restored to a new Windows Phone.
• New Contacts management with finger scrolling, photos and touch calling.
• Marketplace allows users to purchase, download and install Windows Mobile software from the handset.  Users will still be able to use Handango and other web stores to get new software.

We’ll be posting a Windows Mobile 6.5 Product Brief later today with a full list of features and updates.  Stay tuned.