Windows Mobile is getting some standardized sensor APIs from Microsoft, which are like drivers for various different sensors on your mobile device. Previously, device makers like HTC and Samsung had to use and develop their own APIs for the accelerometer inside the Diamond and the Omnia, making it difficult for developers who code applications or games that make use of the tilt sensor for a one-version-fits-all devices deal. Instead, developers had to built separate versions for HTC devices based on the HTC accelerometer APIs and Samsung devices based on Samsung’s APIs. Now, Microsoft will be using a general API and integrating that into the latest Windows Mobile 6.5 build. Yes, you do not have to wait until Windows Mobile 7.

This is welcomed news for developers and consumers who may be confused at which programs support which advanced hardware on certain devices. According to WMPowerUser, which broke the story, Microsoft announced the API standardization, along with support for capacitive touchscreens, and the May 11th release for Windows Mobile 6.5 at the recent Tech Ed conference:

This session explores various input methods available on some of the latest Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5 devices and how to programmatically leverage them using managed APIs from Microsoft .NET Compact Framework-based applications. Topics covered include working with the Windows Mobile Unified Sensor API to access hardware sensors, controlling device cameras using the Windows Mobile SDK, capturing stylus and finger gestures on touch screens, detecting ambient light, making your device vibrate and sound-off, and more.

Now, Windows Mobile can get some cool tilting games and applications like their iPhone counterparts. More importantly, consumer-centric applications that make use of location services can access the GPS with ease and applications can be designed with a whole different approach on user interaction based on tilting screens, shaking devices, and gesture support based on capacitive touch technology.

An example of a game that makes use of the accelerometer is the Teeter game on the HTC Diamond. Users will tilt to navigate the ball into the green hole without dropping the ball into the other holes along the way, as pictured below in the graphic.