SmartGlass by XBox 360 will be available soon

If you own an Xbox 360 as well as an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, then you can finally download SmartGlass from the App Store for free.

This past summer, Microsoft revealed SmartGlass at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo), an annual press conference where video game developers and publishers gather to show gamers everywhere their biggest and most anticipated games.

Although it became available for download on Apple’s App Store Nov. 6 to coincide with the launch of “Halo 4,” those who own an Android device, Windows Phone or Windows 8 have been able to download it since late October.

Acting as a method to compete against Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U with its tablet-like controller, Microsoft aims to make SmartGlass an integral part of the Xbox 360.

SmartGlass can be used for a multitude of tasks you cannot normally do with a gaming controller.

It can be used to navigate through the Xbox 360’s dashboard. You simply swipe your finger back and forth to switch between sections of the dashboard.

It can also be used as a remote when you are watching videos or listening to music. Like a remote, you can use SmartGlass to pause, rewind, fast forward, play or stop videos and music.

SmartGlass can even act as a mouse for Internet Explorer, which was recently released with Xbox’s annual update.

Although SmartGlass can be used as an alternate controller for navigating through the Xbox Dashboard, it can also be used as a keypad to message your friends via Xbox Live. Users will even be able to make edits to their Xbox Live profile and change the appearance of their avatar. The app itself will replace the My Xbox Live app, which was used to view one’s Xbox Live profile.

SmartGlass, similar to the GamePad for the Wii U, will be used for Xbox’s games, but not as a substitute controller. For example, when players pick up a new weapon in “Halo 4,” detailed information about that weapon will be sent straight to your phone.

Though it is not used as a replacement controller, SmartGlass can be used to enhance a gaming experience. When Microsoft first revealed SmartGlass at E3, they used “Madden NFL 13” to show off the possibilities of the app. Instead of using a pre-determined play that is traditionally in Madden, SmartGlass allows players to make their own plays by routing teammates using the phone’s touchscreen.

It will be interesting to see what else SmartGlass will bring to Xbox users in the future, especially since the service is free.



rkey@thepinelog.com
Twitter: @Robbie_Key_V