xbox-companion-app
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Xbox Live Companion app hits Windows phone, bests iOS app
While the statistical majority of us were busy checking out Microsoft's new (and entirely unexpected!) iOS app, My Xbox Live, there was another mobile Xbox app released that may be of interest to some of you. The Xbox Companion is a Windows Phone app that goes beyond what the iOS app can do. In addition to checking out your Gamerscore, sending messages to friends, or setting a beacon, the Companion app can navigate the "unified Xbox catalog for movies, TV shows, music, games and apps." And if you connect your Windows Phone to your Xbox, you can "launch a movie, TV show, game or app on the connected console" and even control playback of video or audio. What's less clear (and less likely we suppose) is whether or not that level of functionality will ever make it to the iOS app. For now, we suppose we should be thankful that the powers-that-be at Microsoft released anything outside of Windows Phone, so we won't push it just yet. We'll definitely push it later, though. %Gallery-141083%
Xbox Companion app for WP7 will launch alongside the new dashboard December 6th
The fall 2011 dashboard update for Microsoft's Xbox 360 is just a day or so away from arriving and while certain video partners may not be ready to ring the bell day one, its slick Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone 7 (caught on video here and here) will be there. The app lets users search the Xbox catalog of games, movies, and more directly from their phone, get second screen information on what ever the console is currently playing, see friend activity, or act as a remote control. It's free for all WP7 users and will be available Tuesday, check the gallery below for a few more screen shots and Major Nelson's blog for specific details. %Gallery-141025%
Xbox Companion app for WP7 shown off at Nokia World, leaks Vudu integration (video)
Even if you're not planning on picking up one of Espoo's latest handsets, Microsoft is also on the scene at Nokia World 2011 giving live demos of the upcoming Xbox Companion remote app for Windows Phone 7. It allows for simple remote control of video playback on one's console, plus content browsing / search with Bing and other metadata display, as seen in two demo videos from the show floor embedded after the break. Also seen in both of the demo videos? An orange tile suspiciously labeled Vudu Movies, despite the lack of any official announcement that the (currently PS3 exclusive) Wal-mart owned service is coming to Xbox Live. A third demo shows off gaming integration with Kinectimals that lets animals jump back and forth from console to phone. Now that the Xbox 360 will integrate search and playback from more video services than ever after the fall update, we'll see if the remote app draws Xbox fans to Microsoft's phone platform. [Thanks, @AttilaG]
'Xbox Companion App' lets you control an Xbox 360 from a Windows Phone
Microsoft just announced that the Xbox 360 is connecting to all kinds of TV and movie services. At the same time, quietly, it announced a new way for Windows Phone devices to connect to the Xbox. The upcoming Xbox Companion App allows users to browse the Xbox Live Marketplace on their phones, and then, having found content, play it on their Xboxes. For example, you can control video playback and navigate Xbox menus from your phone -- just in case, we suppose, your controller happens to be out of reach and you don't have a Kinect. There's no date on the app -- only "coming soon" -- but whenever it does launch, it'll be free. [Thanks, Menzlo]
