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Xbox One SmartGlass handles matchmaking; Xbox Upload Studio revealed
Xbox SmartGlass will play an integral part of the Xbox One experience. Through the accompanying SmartGlass app, players can set up matches in the background while they play and compare stats. A demonstration of Xbox Upload Studio, a built-in DVR and broadcasting suite, was shown following a Killer Instinct match. Xbox Upload Studio automatically records and allows players to edit and share their recorded footage to all.
Microsoft announces Xbox One, with more SmartGlass and TV integration
Microsoft has announced a brand-new game console today, though the company would probably be disappointed to hear that I called it that. The Xbox One is really more of an entertainment center all-in-one -- it's designed to connect your games, your streaming media and cable television all together in one set-top box. In some ways, it's a competitor to Apple TV. The Xbox One will also include a new Kinect camera, which will boast Siri-like voice control over all of its functions, and allow users to switch back and forth between live games, live TV or any of the console's various apps. Obviously, that release is only tangentially related to Apple and its products, but there are a few closer ties that might become more important in the future. First up, Microsoft has already confirmed that the Xbox One will work with its SmartGlass system, for which there is already an app on the iPhone and the iPad. It's unclear just what SmartGlass will do for the Xbox One, but we'll stay tuned for more functionality on that end. And second, Microsoft is apparently learning from Apple. The Cupertino company has famously been making its own "system-on-a-chip" hardware lately to go into new iPhones and iPads, and Microsoft has now done exactly the same. The Xbox One's CPU is a chip based on AMD designs, but customized by Microsoft's own R&D labs. There are a few reasons for that, including the power requirements, and the fact that the Xbox One actually runs a few different operating systems at a time (to easily switch back and forth between the games and the TV content). But Microsoft clearly borrowed the model for the hardware from Apple, and presumably later versions of the Xbox One will have even more customized chips in them. The Xbox One is due out sometime this year, but there's no official release date announced yet.
Xbox One: Everything from Microsoft's Xbox reveal event
Microsoft's Xbox reveal event went down today, where the company unveiled its next Xbox, called the Xbox One. It's a cloud-based machine sporting an improved Kinect camera, along with a redesigned controller with a new d-pad and integrated battery compartment. The console itself has a Blu-ray drive, 500GB of internal storage and an eight-core x86 CPU paired with 8GB of system memory. In many ways, it's similar to the make-up of the PS4.%Gallery-189003%
Xbox One features NFL live broadcasts, Smartglass, fantasy football
Microsoft will build a new relationship with the NFL on Xbox One. On Microsoft's new console, users will be able to take advantage of numerous interactive features available only on Xbox. These include Smartglass integration and the ability for users to see their fantasy football stats updated automatically while watching live broadcasts of the latest NFL games. Users will also be able to call and taunt their fantasy football friends via Skype.
Xbox One SmartGlass brings more control, content to companion devices
Microsoft's Xbox One is promising even more second-screen support than we saw on the Xbox 360. An improvement of the SmartGlass integration we've seen pop up on the Xbox 360, Microsoft says it can make your mobile device feel like it was "built" to work with your console. The current SmartGlass app has seen over 10 million downloads, and it looks like Microsoft is aiming for more this time around. It will also be able to screen scrape video, encode it to h.264 and send it over to your second screen, although what will work on which devices is still unknown. What is mentioned in the press release is that it will support multiple devices at once, for multiplayer and shared entertainment. It's also promising exclusive experiences with its NFL partnership that attach to SmartGlass and Skype integration, so we'll expect to see more about that in the future.
The CW app brings full episodes streaming to Xbox 360 a day after they air
The latest entertainment app to launch for the Xbox 360 comes from The CW (the relationship has now come full circle), bringing shows like Arrow, Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries to the console. Special to this offering is that it will stream full episodes the day after they air on network TV, and will not require users to verify a cable or satellite subscription. Xbox Live Gold is required, so it's not an entirely free pass to stream away. Still, for fans of the shows it's another way to watch and this Friday's Vampire Diaries episode will feature some exclusive second screen content available via SmartGlass. Not into The CW's teen-centric offerings? Beyond the just-launched Pizza Hut app, XBL Silver sports fans can enjoy a free weekend (25th - 28th) of access to ESPN, MLB.tv, UFC (the 7 pre-fight stories), NHL GameCenter and NBA Game Time. There's also the Hockey Night in Canada app, and an update for Hulu Plus that lets parents search for kids shows based on age group.
Xbox SmartGlass now available for Kindle Fire and Kindle HD
Xbox SmartGlass has migrated over to Amazon's Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD tablets. First generation Kindle Fires are out of luck since they're based on Android version 2.3 and the Xbox SmartGlass app requires Android 4.0 and higher.An update to Xbox SmartGlass little over a week ago made Microsoft's second-screen experience compatible with 7-inch and larger Android tablets. Xbox SmartGlass launched in November 2012, allowing Xbox 360 users to control videos and interact with SmartGlass-enabled apps and games using compatible smart phones and tablets. In addition to the Android app, Xbox SmartGlass is available for free on iOS devices and, of course, Windows 8 and Windows Phone.
Xbox SmartGlass now available on Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets
Amazon's just updated its Appstore today with a much welcome offering for avid gamers: Xbox SmartGlass. Microsoft's app-based second screen solution has been available on iOS and Android since late last fall, but despite sharing a kernel with Google's OS, hadn't been made dispensable to Kindle Fire / Fire HD owners until now. The app's been configured to scale natively on Amazon's refreshed tablet line, letting users navigate their Xbox 360 remotely, push and pull streaming content, as well as access achievements, messaging and Xbox Music. So if it's the living room of the future you're after, you might want to hit up the source and make that free download your own.
SmartGlass Android update brings support for 7-inch and larger tablets
The Xbox 360's 'second screen' app, SmartGlass, has been tweaked to support 7-inch and larger Android tablets. The 1.5 Android update also provides "always-on" support - no, not that kind of always-on, but a state which ensures the device doesn't enter sleep mode while the app's running. Fans of "numerous" bug fixes and design improvements also get their update's worth.
Xbox SmartGlass nabs Android update with support for 7-inch or larger tablets, screen sleep override
Microsoft's SmartGlass for Android app has just hit version 1.5 thanks to a fresh update on Google Play. The app, which lets users control their XBox via a smartphone or tablet, will now be optimized to work on 7-inch and larger Android tablets. Other new features include an (unfortunately-worded) "always-on" Smartglass Experiences state, which actually just prevents your handset or slate from sleeping while it's running, along with bug fixes and "numerous design and usability improvements." We'll have to give it a further play to see if there's anything juicy buried in the latter, but meanwhile, you can grab it at the break. Update: A post on Major Nelson's blog reveals it's also added the ability to open a web browser from within the app.
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge has sharp Xbox SmartGlass support
It would make sense that Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge on Xbox would use Xbox Smartglass to add tablet features, since it's based on a Wii U game (that's based on an Xbox 360 and PS3 game.)However, the Smartglass features are different from the inventory and off-TV play features used on the Wii U. Playing with the SmartGlass app loaded up on your phone or tablet allows you to keep track of your gameplay statistics. It also allows you to load up videos on YouTube of other players clearing the area you're in, to help you make your way.Razor's Edge will be available April 2 in North America, and April 5 in Europe.
2013 Academy Awards red carpet event streaming on Xbox Live
Xbox Live's latest streaming event struts its stuff at 6pm ET on Sunday, February 24, when film aficionados in the US with an Xbox Live Gold subscription can tune into the Associated Press' red carpet coverage of this year's annual Academy Awards. SmartGlass users can also engage with the second-screen experience through their tablets and smartphones.During the event, Xbox Live users can participate in the same interactive voting and tweeting stuff introduced during the Presidential Election coverage. We're not sure what kind of questions will be asked, but if the Presidential Election was any indication, it'll be a lot of bar graphs showing community support levels for Jessica Chastain's dress and questions about foreign policy in Iran. [Image credit]
Microsoft working on a fix for Halo 4 SmartGlass issues, arriving in 'the coming weeks'
Microsoft's SmartGlass and Microsoft's Halo 4 apparently aren't quite getting along on Windows Phone 8 devices. Using SmartGlass, Halo 4 players can normally access their stats and other info about their android supersoldier using the long-established Waypoint service -- except for Windows Phone 8 users, apparently. A forum thread dating back to Halo 4's November launch highlights the issue -- as Xbox.com forum user "Scion Eon" puts it: "Whenever I try to log into SmartGlass on my phone while playing Halo 4, I am immediately greeted with a message that says 'Your device is missing certain required features.'" As it turns out, Mr. Eon isn't the only one experiencing said connectivity issues -- specific to Windows Phone 8 devices -- and Microsoft's aware of the situation. "We are aware that there is an issue with the Xbox SmartGlass experience for 'Halo Waypoint' on Windows Phone 8 devices, which may prevent users from accessing Halo 4 player stats," a Microsoft rep told us this afternoon. Thankfully, Redmond's also taking care of a solution. "We are actively working on a fix and expect to have a solution within the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as this gets resolved and apologize for any inconvenience this causes," the statement reads. Of course, should you want to access Halo 4's Waypoint functionality on SmartGlass before that fix, you can always use Microsoft's competitor's devices. But then who'd do that? [Thanks Colin!]
Microsoft acquires R2 Studios, specialist in SmartGlass-like home automation
Microsoft has beat both Apple and Google in acquiring a startup named R2 Studios, which primarily works in home automation and entertainment. R2 holds a number of patents that have to do with using various mobile devices to control home entertainment software and hardware, and Microsoft is reportedly sending the company to work with its Xbox division. R2 was founded by Blake Krikorian, who also founded the company behind the Slingbox, a set-top device that allows users to stream video across the cloud.This all sounds like fuel for Microsoft's SmartGlass application, which uses various mobile devices to control and interact with the Xbox. Since we're expecting to see a brand new Xbox console this year, R2 could be sent to work on any number of new products or services.
NBA Game Time, ESPN apps team up with Xbox SmartGlass
SmartGlass functionality, get off the bench and get into the game! Both the NBA Game Time and ESPN apps on Xbox Live have added SmartGlass functionality to their playbooks for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Sports metaphors.With SmartGlass, you can make selections and navigate options within each respective app with your smartphone or tablet. SmartGlass is available on iOS, Android and Windows 8 devices.There's also a new Sports Picks app that Microsoft has dropped onto Xbox Live, where you can make matchup selections across a variety of sports and compare them with friends on the leaderboards. Personally, we don't like to compete with our friends because, well, our friends usually win. Always win.
Xbox Live adds SmartGlass support for ESPN and NBA Game Time
Today, Microsoft's Major Nelson announced the release of the Sports Picks app for Xbox Live. Equipped with leaderboards, Jimmy the Greek wannabes can compete against friends to see who's the best at handicapping UFC events, NBA games and college football. In addition, Xbox Live Gold members have also gained SmartGlass integration for ESPN and NBA Game Time -- which we've previewed here -- that allows users to watch live broadcasts, highlights and replays via their smartphone or tablet. If you're looking to get your Ace Rothstein on (minus the mafia, murder and mayhem), point your Xbox to the Apps Marketplace to score this new software.
Karaoke for Xbox Live starts belting out hits
Attention all songbirds: your time to shine is almost here. Microsoft and Stingray Media's Karaoke will be hitting Xbox Live on December 11th. The game is free to download, but would-be vocalists will have to purchase playing sessions of two, six and 24 hours respectively priced at: 240, 400 and 800 Microsoft points. While this costly pay to play approach mirrors a traditional karaoke lounge's setup, you'll definitely save a few bucks on overpriced booze refreshments -- that's gotta count for something, right?
Xbox SmartGlass app now optimized for iPhone 5
The Xbox SmartGlass app was updated for iOS today. iPhone 5 users can finally interact with their Xbox 360 without suffering the pains of a squished interface on their iDoodad. Bugs have also been addressed in version 2.1 – we'd tell you which bugs were squashed but none are listed in the update notes.Xbox SmartGlass first launched on Windows 8 devices back in October. That lengthy half-day exclusivity ended with an Android version on October 26, followed by the iOS app's arrival in early November.
Xbox SmartGlass app updated with iPhone 5 optimization
You've got your fancy new iPhone 5, and you've got the Xbox SmartGlass app, but who wants those silly black bars on the sides? Certainly not you, aesthetic savant, which is why you'll be glad to hear that Microsoft's latest update to the SmartGlass app optimizes it for use with the iPhone 5's taller, 16x9 screen. Aside from device support expansion, the update also includes the ambiguous "bug fixes." No broken bugs for you, only fixed ones! The Xbox SmartGlass app launched earlier this year for Windows Phone 8, Android and iOS, with a staggered rollout across the various mobile ecosystems. Beyond just allowing for basic Xbox 360 control via mobile, SmartGlass propagates rich content to your second screen in-tandem with some software, from games to streaming video.
Xbox SmartGlass for Android updated with official 7-inch tablet support
Microsoft brought its SmartGlass Xbox 360 second screen app to Android last month, however official support was limited to smartphones. While many found that sideloading got the app running on their other devices, an update today has officially added support for tablets of the 7-inch variety. There's also fixes for specific crashes tied to the achievements and settings screens, but not much else. If you've been waiting to bring your Nexus 7 along as GPS in Forza Horizon or control tracks in Dance Central 3, hit the source link to install the app straight from Google Play.
