authorize_screen_phoneMicrosoft announced today that it is collaborating with Facebook to bring system-level Facebook login capabilities to Windows and Windows Phone. Thanks to the new feature, it’s now possible for developers to build applications that allow users to log in using the Facebook credentials on their device at the touch of a button.

It’s good news for Windows and Windows Mobile as platforms, even if Microsoft isn’t exactly first to market with this feature. Mavericks, the latest version of Apple’s OS X operating system, offers developers a similar API, and iOS and Android both boast system-level integration for Facebook login at this point.

While it has been possible for developers to use a web-based interface to connect their Windows Phone apps to Facebook in the past, this is the first time that Windows Phone developers and users will get to tap into system-level integration with Facebook. That means users who have linked Facebook to their Windows or Windows Phone device will be able to log in to apps using the new Facebook Login API with one tap, rather than having to log in through a mobile website.

In addition, users will be able to take advantage of other new capabilities, like sharing photos and high scores with their friends on Facebook.

The new API is ready for production use on Windows 8, and is currently in beta on Windows Phone. According to Microsoft’s blog post, the company doesn’t expect the Windows Phone beta period to last longer than 60 days. For nitty-gritty technical details about the new capabilities, take a look at the Windows App Builder Blog and the Windows Phone Developer Blog.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.