Microsoft Releases 'Xbox SmartGlass' for iPhone and iPad

[MacRumors]

Microsoft has released an upgrade to its Xbox Live app, changing the name to Xbox SmartGlass and dramatically expanding its functionality. Microsoft announced SmartGlass earlier this year, aiming to turn a mobile phone or tablet into a second screen to compliment Xbox content.

It allows Xbox owners to remotely control their media, navigate through the Xbox dashboard, and more -- including the ability to use the iPhone's keyboard to type messages on the Xbox. SmartGlass has deeper functionality as well:

More exciting than this beefed-up interaction with the Xbox Live service itself is that Xbox SmartGlass is also "smart" enough to recognize when you're playing certain Xbox 360 games that offer additional content, and will display said content on your iOS device giving you that "second screen" enhanced experience that seems to be all the buzz as of late.

Xbox SmartGlass is a free download for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Microsoft Releases 'Xbox SmartGlass' for iPhone and iPad

[DavidLeblond]

Not sized to the iPhone 5... really, Microsoft?

[spiderman0616]

I tried it last night. It's kind of just a glorified remote control for the Xbox. Reminds me of using the Apple Remote app on my Apple TV.

HOWEVER, I will give MS a kudos for actually designing a good app. It is annoying that it is not sized to the iPhone 5 screen, but on the iPad, it looks, feels, and even sounds excellent. This is how apps should be made. Nice and simple, responsive, clean.

[Lukkee24]

So glad you can use your iPhone/iPad to type messages on Xbox, hate using the on screen keyboard on the Xbox - just takes way longer than it should to type something.

[dwhittington]

There's a product name that's begging to be played with.

[enkadrummer88]

Originally Posted by dwhittington

There's a product name that's begging to be played with.

Don't be such a SmartGlass.

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From the looks of it, Microsoft is doing AirPlay better than Apple.

[ollyb]

Started off by thinking "Just an Airplay clone", but I like having the idea of having the meta info on your small screen, while the main feature is on the big screen.

Kinda reminds me of the Keynote remote for iOS, but with the scope to be useful to more people.

[ArtOfWarfare]

And Nintendo has lost.

Microsoft didn't even need to release a new console, just an app. Kind of funny how easily the threat of the Wii U has been brushed aside.

I expect Nintendo to announce that they're exiting the hardware market and will be focusing exclusively on releasing games. Or maybe they'll be able to strike a deal with Microsoft or Sony allowing them to be an official accessory partner or something (so that Nintendo can continue making their games have new and unique interactions without Nintendo having to make the entire console themselves.)

[GenesisST]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Not sized to the iPhone 5... really, Microsoft?

We'll survive, it is not as bad as an iPhone app on an iPad.

I'm working on a soon to be released app and my customer didn't even want to support it at this time. I branched of and implemented it pro-bono, mainly for my own sake, since I was about to buy one. My customer liked it and it is now part of the build.

But, our app was likely easier than smartglass. We are mostly list based.

[donrsd]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

And Nintendo has lost.

Microsoft didn't even need to release a new console, just an app. Kind of funny how easily the threat of the Wii U has been brushed aside.

I expect Nintendo to announce that they're exiting the hardware market and will be focusing exclusively on releasing games. Or maybe they'll be able to strike a deal with Microsoft or Sony allowing them to be an official accessory partner or something (so that Nintendo can continue making their games have new and unique interactions without Nintendo having to make the entire console themselves.)

They wont go anywhere.
Little Timmy's mother wont want to spend $500 on a system that only has FPS games (PS3 & XBOX).
Nintendo has found is market.

I do wish that Nintendo would finally come out with a 'next gen system' and not something thats already old tech.

Originally Posted by knewsom

If only Sony woul take a cue on this one...

I agree 100%.

[ncaissie]

Like you are going to have the time to play on th ipad in the middle of a game like Forzza.

[ArtOfWarfare]

Originally Posted by donrsd

They wont go anywhere.
Little Timmy's mother wont want to spend $500 on a system that only has FPS games (PS3 & XBOX).
Nintendo has found is market.

Where did you come up with $500? As I recall, the consoles haven't been priced like that in a half decade. Here's the current pricing data (all prices are the lowest available from Walmart, because that's where our hypothetical "Little Timmy's mother" is going to shop and what she's going to buy):

The XBOX 360 is $200.
The PlayStation 3 is $250.
The Wii U is $300.

You are correct that the other systems have only FPS games... I will, despite my statements that might suggest otherwise, be looking into owning a Wii U as my next gen system when Nintendo gets around to releasing Pikmin 3 in Spring 2013... I may buy it at that point if there seems to be enough other exclusive games to justify the price, or I may just sit out for this generation entirely (there's a lack of compelling games, for me.)

[8ate8]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Where did you come up with $500? As I recall, the consoles haven't been priced like that in a half decade.

Which is when the current gen of Sony and Microsoft consoles were first released. Do you think the "Xbox720" and "PS4" are going to be priced at $200 and $250, respectively, or closer to that $500?

[Yvan256]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Where did you come up with $500? As I recall, the consoles haven't been priced like that in a half decade. Here's the current pricing data (all prices are the lowest available from Walmart, because that's where our hypothetical "Little Timmy's mother" is going to shop and what she's going to buy):

The XBOX 360 is $200.
The PlayStation 3 is $250.
The Wii U is $300.

I'm glad to hear that the iPod touch is now bundled for free with the Xbox 360.

[denaliOnDubs]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Not sized to the iPhone 5... really, Microsoft?

I felt the same way.

[jayenh]

Originally Posted by DavidLeblond

Not sized to the iPhone 5... really, Microsoft?

Kind of like iTunes not being compatible with Vista, right?

[Blomkvist]

Haven't downloaded this app yet, but will be doing so soon.

I wish the app would let you play using the iPad as your primary screen...but I guess latency would be too bad.

[dearfriendx]

Just watched the video. I don't think they changed the landscape on watching sports. You can choose who wins with a slider then compare with Xbox Live buddies. You can also do this by thinking of who's gonna win in your head...then texting your friend during and after game about who won. AMAZING.

[knewsom]

If only Sony woul take a cue on this one...

[SteveJobs2.0]

Originally Posted by knewsom

If only Sony woul take a cue on this one...

PS3 can connect to the Vita. It is not as cost effective for most gamers, but they are not clueless to the idea of device to device communication.

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Originally Posted by ncaissie

Like you are going to have the time to play on th ipad in the middle of a game like Forzza.

You won't play on it, yuou can take a look at the iPad to see where you are on the track, perhaps your car condition, etc. In RPG it could show you your character stats, inventory, etc. so that you don't have to contstantly jump into menus in the actual game.

[DynaFXD]

[QUOTE=SteveJobs2.0;16250557]PS3 can connect to the Vita. It is not as cost effective for most gamers, but they are not clueless to the idea of device to device communication.[COLOR="#808080"]

iPhone has bluetooth, PS3 has bluetooth. Wonder why no one has generated an app that lets you use an iOS device to use the PS3 when using it as a media center?

[Calle68]

Everybody at Apple, saw that? A browser on a tv-set. Weird, ah?
For what evil reason I cannot have it on my Apple TV? Ive does not like it? There was something about it in the Steve Job testament against it?
Why not a Safari (a snappier Safari ..) on Apple TV? Ok, without flash, ok ... But, c'mon, take a look at the world around ya ... without reality distortion activated.
BTW: Microsoft, what about some background music in your video?

[lordofthereef]

Originally Posted by Calle68

Everybody at Apple, saw that? A browser on a tv-set. Weird, ah?
For what evil reason I cannot have it on my Apple TV? Ive does not like it? There was something about it in the Steve Job testament against it?
Why not a Safari (a snappier Safari ..) on Apple TV? Ok, without flash, ok ... But, c'mon, take a look at the world around ya ... without reality distortion activated.
BTW: Microsoft, what about some background music in your video?

I believe it was removed because of "security concerns" (aka jailbreak exploits). The ATV3 is still locked down as tightly as the day it launched and the devs attribute this to a lack of browser. Meanwhile, the older gen ATVs are selling for quadruple what their original prices were.

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Originally Posted by dearfriendx

Just watched the video. I don't think they changed the landscape on watching sports. You can choose who wins with a slider then compare with Xbox Live buddies. You can also do this by thinking of who's gonna win in your head...then texting your friend during and after game about who won. AMAZING.

Come now. Do you see how silly this is? I could argue that texting is eawuallynworthless because I could just pick up te phone and call my friends. While we are at it phones are also worthless because I can just send a telegram.

They are showcasing a potentially fun feature of the software. It's not all that it is limited too. It's the start of something potentially big. How far have these consoles come running the same hardware they've had for over half a decade? I say pretty damn far.

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Originally Posted by ncaissie

You don’t know what you are talking about. The Wii U tablet is a controller and much more than an app. And you don’t have to spend $60 a year to use it. The 360 is total crap. And Yes I have one, and a Wii and 3 PS3s and I will be getting the Wii U.
I also have all the iOS devices as well as all the handheld consoles.
Nintendo will take the lead again this time unless the Kinect tech actually gets to a point you can use it. Right now it sucks for everything but dance game which are done just as well on the move and Wii.

Dance games being executed just as well on move and wii? I am going to have to disagree wholeheartedly. With the move and wii you have to have a device in your hands, for starters. But I have never seen a dancing game as immersive as those which we see on the kinect. Not even close.

I largely agree with the rest of your synopsis though. Not sure if Nintendo is going to take a huge lead in te American market though. Casual gamers seem to be picking up mobile games like hot cakes instead of consoles and Nintendo tends to lack te killer titles that hardcore gamers crave.

Ice thought about getting a 3ds for te Mario games. But it's just not worth me dropping the money even with the substantial price break. I'll wait until I can get a used unit for under $50 and the games for around $10. There is nothi else on the. Device that remotely piques my interest b

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Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Where did you come up with $500? As I recall, the consoles haven't been priced like that in a half decade. Here's the current pricing data (all prices are the lowest available from Walmart, because that's where our hypothetical "Little Timmy's mother" is going to shop and what she's going to buy):

The XBOX 360 is $200.
The PlayStation 3 is $250.
The Wii U is $300.

You are correct that the other systems have only FPS games... I will, despite my statements that might suggest otherwise, be looking into owning a Wii U as my next gen system when Nintendo gets around to releasing Pikmin 3 in Spring 2013... I may buy it at that point if there seems to be enough other exclusive games to justify the price, or I may just sit out for this generation entirely (there's a lack of compelling games, for me.)

The consoles that you listed, with the exception of the wii u, are nearly a decade old set of hardware. I would venture to guess the wii u isn't cutting edge either (Nintendo has a track record of not being cutting edge) although there is very little info on actual specs. If Sony or MS were to launch new consoles you can bet it would be cutting edge hardware by today's standards. I don't think $500 would be that far off. You mentioned we haven't had consoles that price for a while. The consoles that launched at that price were these very consoles. They have simply dropped in price since
Production has become significantly cheaper.

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Originally Posted by throwaway2012

I don't think this will ever come close to being as efficient as just using the controller.

It's not about efficiency in most cases. It is about additional content. Although text entry would be more efficient than using a controller right out the door.

[bayxsonic]

Basically this is a combination of

• AirPlay (send music and videos)
• iCloud (share webpages on your devices)
• Remote app (control TV device from phone)

But it also adds

• "hidden content behind the main content", which will likely be disappointing if you consider how they only work on some content.

Kudos to MS, though, this is still great. Maybe I will give MS a chance by the time Windows 9 comes out.

[ncaissie]

Originally Posted by knewsom

If only Sony woul take a cue on this one...

No way. I hate taking my hands off the buttons just to swipe on the vita screen. To put down the controller to use the tablet is just plain stupid.