Microsoft announces new Windows Phone 8 Start Screen with customizable live tile sizes

At its WIndows Phone 8 developer preview, Microsoft just announced a new start screen feature — users can customize the size of every single start screen tile. There are three sizes available: standard medium, small, and a large “double wide” tile that stretches across the entire start screen. Microsoft has also removed the right-hand “rail” that held the link to the full app list — you can really add a lot more information to your screen with this new design. When you’re in “customization mode,” you can grab a small arrow in the corner of a live tile to resize and pin into place, and Microsoft also added a new selection of colors to enable even more personalization. Developers will get to take advantage of the new start screen, as well — they can create custom large live tiles, something that was previously reserved for OEMs and Microsoft’s first-party hubs.

For more details on the Windows Phone 8 home screen and the other changes that Microsoft is adding to its mobile operating system, check out our in-depth system preview right here.