Microsoft Makes Xbox-Centered Living Room Push with SmartGlass Wireless Streaming and More

[scoobydoo99]

Watch, in a few weeks Apple will have something like this in their stores.

LOL.
Like the article said: "SmartGlass brings AirPlay-style wireless technology to Xbox and Windows 8 ..."

In other words, this is Microsoft bringing Apple's capabilities to THEIR stores!

 

[Mad-B-One]

Those complaining that Microsoft is copying Apple - dream on.

Xbox 360 is a FAR superior media device. On mine I can get BBC iPlayer, 4OD, LoveFilm, Netflix and streaming LIVE TV from Sky. In the US there is also Hulu and a music store available

They have a far more solid multi-device strategy than Apple. Microsoft knows that one interface doesn't fit all, so modify accordingly for each device, while retaining the flavour.

Don't forge last.fm - that is free and music I love it.

 

[baryon]

Does everyone notice this new trend of "Buy two very expensive devices, and connect them using a third very expensive device"? This applies for Thunderbolt, too, by the way.

On another note, Microsoft, please do the whole world a favor and stop developing Internet Explorer! Everyone wins: Developers can finally build websites that work the way they should, users get to experience the web the way it was intended, and Microsoft can fire all the idiots who develop Internet Explorer, and save huge amounts of money! The only reason anyone uses that idiotic browser is because they're too damn stupid to download another one, and Microsoft knows that very well…

The only positive thing I can think of about Internet Explorer is that one day, when it will cease to exist, the world will become a better place, all of a sudden.

 

[franswa za]

Microsoft, always one step behind the Apple. But it's great, I'm happy for PC users to have the same options as Mac users. I'm glad that wireless display technologies are finally here!

I remember trying out first wireless display dongles back in 2006, horrible. ATV and similar solutions are so much easier to work with.

These things will really change TV industry with lots of people canceling their cable TVs, seems like only few TV stations are catching up on trend (HBO). Hopefully it won't end up like music industry in early 00s.

papi, you have just stepped into a (mostly) blind, mute, deaf and dumb, appel/apple/aapl fanboyishnismissnismess, you try and sort it out..... get out before you are infected..... already

 

[scoobydoo99]

Those complaining that Microsoft is copying Apple - dream on.

Xbox 360 is a FAR superior media device. On mine I can get BBC iPlayer, 4OD, LoveFilm, Netflix and streaming LIVE TV from Sky. In the US there is also Hulu and a music store available

They have a far more solid multi-device strategy than Apple. Microsoft knows that one interface doesn't fit all, so modify accordingly for each device, while retaining the flavour.

Thanks. That was the best laugh I've had all day.

So the dizzying, frenetic multiplicity of interface conventions employed by Microsoft are INTENTIONAL, because "one interface doesn't fit all"?? wow. I never knew that was the reason!

At least they do retain the "flavor", so their customers can enjoy the Microsoft experience.

 

[NAG]

Buy two expensive devices, and connect them using a third expensive device! Yay! Now download expensive content, otherwise there's no point.

On another note, Microsoft, please do the whole world a favor and stop developing Internet Explorer! Everyone wins: Developers can finally build websites that work the way they should, users get to experience the web the way it was intended, and Microsoft can fire all the idiots who develop Internet Explorer, and save huge amounts of money! The only reason anyone uses that idiotic browser is because they're too damn stupid to download another one, and Microsoft knows that very well...

To be fair, the latest (metro) versions of IE are quite a bit better than the IE6 mess that spawned all this (deserved) IE hate. I still prefer Webkit but they're trying (honestly, I think they're trying more than Mozilla sometimes).

As far as connectivity. Like it or not it seems to be the future. Yes, requiring multiple devices is silly. But so far there have been no requirements (e.g. EA's rather crummy integration with the Mass Effect apps is a good indication of where this is going...hopefully they do a better job in the future).

 

[dokujaryu]

It's the iPads, iPhone 4S, and Mountian Lion (OSX).

That would explain it. I don't have a 4S yet. But, I do have the internet, which means I should have known.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airplay/

AirPlay Mirroring is available with iPad 2 or later and iPhone 4S.

 

[marcusj0015]

Guess you didn't read. This feature is also for iOS.

w00master

Ok, but it still requires an Xbox.

 

[tripjammer]

Nice...makes me wonder WTF Sony has been doing for the last 5 years with the PS3.

PS3 is so far behind 360 at this point.

Actually no. Sony press conference is later tonight. We will see what they have to offer. Microsoft just announced SmartGlass. Its not coming out till this fall. Sony might show something similar. Heck they might show a PS4.

You do know the Xbox 360 is still rolling on old tech. Still using DVD as the medium. They should have just broken down and showed the Xbox 720. Its time for a new system.

SmartGlass is just going to force Apple to innovate and make Airplay really open source and open to all platforms.

 

[needfx]

has anyone noticed the voice command nature they are portraying in this promo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7y_sXD165w&feature=player_embedded

 

[NAG]

Actually no. Sony press conference is later tonight. We will see what they have to offer. Microsoft just announced SmartGlass. Its not coming out till this fall. Sony might show something similar. Heck they might show a PS4.

You do know the Xbox 360 is still rolling on old tech. Still using DVD as the medium. They should have just broken down and showed the Xbox 720. Its time for a new system.

SmartGlass is just going to force Apple to innovate and make Airplay really open source and open to all platforms.

I thought it was confirmed that the PS4 will still use optical media.

 

[435713]

The best part of this thread has to be that most at Macrumors seem on the pro side of MS. At the MS centric site I visit, most are anti everything MS after their E3 today. It's bizarro world. Never take forums seriously at all I guess.

EDIT: Its pretty vicious bad mouthing over there I might add, like pure hatred.

 

[Illusion986]

This is quite interesting news. Im glad to see that Microsoft and Apple are not trying to cut each others throats. I doubt that i will use this feature with xbox but still its nice that Microsoft will make this feature work across many platforms. Makes my 360 seem not as obsolete as i thought it will become

 

[aikomhoch]

Are they actually able to mirror HBO GO? We can't do that from iPad to AppleTV.

 

[ablashek]

So this really gives truth to the idea that Apple paves the way, everybody else follows.

Whats so diff about this, compared to Apple TV (introduced over 3 years ago), plus Remote App on iOS (introduced over 3 years ago), and all this working with your iphone + ipad (all introduced over 3 years ago)?!?

Same damn thing!

 

[NAG]

The best part of this thread has to be that most at Macrumors seem on the pro side of MS. At the MS centric site I visit, most are anti everything MS after their E3 today. It's bizarro world. Never take forums seriously at all I guess, its a wacky world.

I think this says it best.

Which is good, right? Because it turns out it really was the Windows interface we didn’t like. We’re not just irrational Microsoft haters under the thrall of Cupertino’s Reality Distortion Field. Man, that’s a load off us, isn’t it?

http://www.macworld.com/article/1166578/coming_attractions_windows_8.html

 

[cadillac1234]

God, WHAT is wrong with physical controllers!? I assume you'd prefer everything to function like Kinect? Where you just hope the device you're trying to interact with can somehow interpret whatever vague gestures you make?

When did we get so lazy that we decided using a peripheral as well-designed as a wireless xbox 360 is somehow "inconvenient"?

Obviously you aren't married or have a spouse that doesn't mind have a giant white controller sitting on the coffee room table.

Also, try to get your mom, dad, wife, babysitter, house guest, etc to navigate a XBOX menu system if they haven't ever used it.

 

[mandis]

Daenerys Stormborn of the house Targaryen

 

[chukronos]

Are they actually able to mirror HBO GO? We can't do that from iPad to AppleTV.

The Xbox already has an HBO GO app. Makes it great to watch every season of Game of Thrones on your tv.

 

[whiteboytrash]

has anyone noticed the voice command nature they are portraying in this promo?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7y_sXD165w&feature=player_embedded

What’s always astounded me about Microsoft promo videos is they always look great. It’s when you read the fine print you discover the concept/software/device doesn’t actually work as first thought. This will be no different. It’s also at “concept” stage not actual delivery – ie its not shipping. If Apple TV / IPhone 5 are announced they will 1-2 weeks after the keynote. This is typical of Microsoft. Big on the bells and whistles small on substance.

 

[chukronos]

Ok, but it still requires an Xbox.

Umm... You think that's because it is an Xbox feature? Kinda hard to use a feature for the Xbox without an Xbox.

 

[joekun]

The XBox would make a great connected device if you didn't have to pay for xbox live to get anything at all. I already get ESPN 3, but I have to pay for XBox Live Gold to watch it through my XBox? Forget it. Same with pretty much all of their other offerings, netflix being another notable example. That's why my 360 collects dust. They don't even allow you the privilege of buying downloadable games unless you cough up a subscription fee.

 

[Oletros]

What’s always astounded me about Microsoft promo videos is they always look great. It’s when you read the fine print you discover the concept/software/device doesn’t actually work as first thought. This will be no different. It’s also at “concept” stage not actual delivery – ie its not shipping. If Apple TV / IPhone 5 are announced they will 1-2 weeks after the keynote. This is typical of Microsoft. Big on the bells and whistles small on substance.

Are you saying that voice commands doesn't work on Xbox?

 

[Renzatic]

Also, try to get your mom, dad, wife, babysitter, house guest, etc to navigate a XBOX menu system if they haven't ever used it.

Exactly. An OS should be simple to use, easy to understand, and capable enough that even the most tech illiterate can become a near power user within two minutes of picking up the device. Apple succeeds in this regard with OSX and iOS, whereas MS continuously fails. Metro tiles are a convoluted schizophrenic mess of psychedelic smeary colors. It's stupid and dumb.

Case in point. I tell my Grandma to find the icon that gets you on internet...

...it only took her two days to figure out it was the compass! Get it? A compass? As in it's the program you "navigate" the internet with? Simple and elegant! See? Even the dumbest of idiots can use it!

But Metro? Yeah, like anyone could figure out the giant picture with all the movie posters that has the word "movies" displayed prominently over it in huge block font would actually lead them to the section of the marketplace where you rent movies. This is what happens when MS doesn't have Apple to copy. They fail.

Metro is horrible.

 

[whiteboytrash]

Are you saying that voice commands doesn't work on Xbox?

How did you deduce that from my post? What are you talking about.

The promo video is pure concept. The concepts shown are not shipping and will not be shipping for the foreseeable future.

To spin it any other way is purely obfuscation. I’d prefer if you thoughtfully discussed my post.

I repeat this “concept” is not shipping in the near future. It’s just a concept ala the “Courier concept” prior to iPad.