Windows 8 has just been released and the reception has been mixed. Despite the mixed reviews, there are some really neat things about the new operating system. One of the more interesting features is how Microsoft has made the OS the same across all of its different incarnations, including Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft released the Windows Phone app for Windows 8 this morning. The app launches ahead of the Windows Phone 8 event scheduled for later today in which Microsoft will unveil all of the details about its new mobile operating system. For now, the app reveals how Windows Phone 8 will interact with Windows 8 PCs. Here’s all the features you can expect:

It’s pretty standard stuff, but it shows how Microsoft is working to make Windows 8 an all inclusive platform. The hope is that consumers will buy into Windows 8 in a big way by letting the operating system power all of their personal computing devices from desktops and tablets to their smartphones. Making everything work together with little to no hassle is a major selling point for consumers. Now it’s up to Microsoft to really push that point going forward into the launch of Windows Phone 8.

We’ll bring you all the latest Windows Phone 8 news from Microsoft’s event later today.

[h/t: The Verge]