Microsoft releases Windows Phone-esque Xbox LIVE app for iOS
Microsoft launched an official Xbox LIVE app in Apple's App Store that features some of the functionality found on the Xbox 360 console besides gameplay, brings look and feel of Windows Phone to iOS devices.
A day after the launch of a Dashboard update to Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console on Tuesday, the company released its first iOS app that can access content from the Xbox LIVE service, named My Xbox LIVE.
The Xbox LIVE service has become a major part of Microsoft's bid for customers' living rooms, and leverages the console's processing power to stream movies, TV shows and other media rich content to HDTVs. Initially, LIVE was the platform's hub for multiplayer gaming, but has now grown into a digital content provider and aggregation system with partners like Hulu Plus and Netflix.
While an iOS client has been a long time coming, as the App Store has seen numerous workaround programs that access at least some LIVE content like friends lists, the official app is effectively a port of the built-in app for Windows Phone 7 right down to the fonts.
The overall layout and structure of My Xbox LIVE is user friendly, and incorporates familiar iOS swipe functionality with the tiled UI from Microsoft's smartphone platform. Icons and UI animations like fading in and out of menus smacks of Windows Phone, but is executed well with smooth transitions and seamless loading of graphics.
In the app, users can access friends lists, game data, messages and beacons through three main menus: "Home," "Social" and "Games."
"Home" highlights a handful of scrollable videos that, when clicked, will open in the iOS video player, as well as select interactive polls. The "Social" page features the only tiled selective menu, allowing users to see which friends are online, read messages or access the newly-created game beacon system. "Games" offers a list of recently played titles along with in-game achievements and points earned.
Screenshots of My Xbox LIVE for iOS on iPhone 4S
Microsoft's iPad version of the program is similar in layout, but is optimized to take advantage of the larger screen, showing more content and detail.
Released alongside the iOS app was an update to the native Windows Phone client, boasting increased functionality including an enhanced remote control system that allows users to select content via their smartphone and play it through the console.
Although not as robust as the Windows Phone version, the iOS app is meant for thoe who happen to own an Xbox 360 and an iPhone or iPad.
A day after the launch of a Dashboard update to Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console on Tuesday, the company released its first iOS app that can access content from the Xbox LIVE service, named My Xbox LIVE.
The Xbox LIVE service has become a major part of Microsoft's bid for customers' living rooms, and leverages the console's processing power to stream movies, TV shows and other media rich content to HDTVs. Initially, LIVE was the platform's hub for multiplayer gaming, but has now grown into a digital content provider and aggregation system with partners like Hulu Plus and Netflix.
While an iOS client has been a long time coming, as the App Store has seen numerous workaround programs that access at least some LIVE content like friends lists, the official app is effectively a port of the built-in app for Windows Phone 7 right down to the fonts.
The overall layout and structure of My Xbox LIVE is user friendly, and incorporates familiar iOS swipe functionality with the tiled UI from Microsoft's smartphone platform. Icons and UI animations like fading in and out of menus smacks of Windows Phone, but is executed well with smooth transitions and seamless loading of graphics.
In the app, users can access friends lists, game data, messages and beacons through three main menus: "Home," "Social" and "Games."
"Home" highlights a handful of scrollable videos that, when clicked, will open in the iOS video player, as well as select interactive polls. The "Social" page features the only tiled selective menu, allowing users to see which friends are online, read messages or access the newly-created game beacon system. "Games" offers a list of recently played titles along with in-game achievements and points earned.
Screenshots of My Xbox LIVE for iOS on iPhone 4S
Microsoft's iPad version of the program is similar in layout, but is optimized to take advantage of the larger screen, showing more content and detail.
Released alongside the iOS app was an update to the native Windows Phone client, boasting increased functionality including an enhanced remote control system that allows users to select content via their smartphone and play it through the console.
Although not as robust as the Windows Phone version, the iOS app is meant for thoe who happen to own an Xbox 360 and an iPhone or iPad.
Comments
Then again, I suppose Microsoft should be praised for releasing an iOS application that interfaces at all with their console. I don't see Apple ever releasing a Windows Phone app to control an AppleTV (and probably wouldn't even if there were more than 27 non-Microsoft employees using a Windows Phone).
MS has been making some great stuff lately. I hope they can keep it up.
LOL The mods might eliminate your vertical sig similar to how they nixed DaHarder's ability to [/CENTER]
If you get into a serious debate with someone about a hot topic, your sig could make the page so long we'll have to scroll 30 feet just to get to the bottom!
LOL The mods might eliminate your vertical sig similar to how they nixed DaHarder's ability to [/CENTER]
If you get into a serious debate with someone about a hot topic, your sig could make the page so long we'll have to scroll 30 feet just to get to the bottom!
That's my plan. I'm trying to bring an end to the excessive large sigs used by ConradJoe et al. by pointing out their obnoxiousness. Join me in OCCUPY SIGNATURE.
I like what Microsoft have done with their UI. It's very easy to bash them, but they are actually becoming somewhat innovative in their old age.
The UI is fine for this. The problem is they will try to force the metro UI on absolutely everything. Just like they forced their MDI and funky sidebar on everything in Windows XP. Microsoft doesn't get useability. They come up with something generic and they think they can apply it to everything.
The UI is fine for this. The problem is they will try to force the metro UI on absolutely everything. Just like they forced their MDI and funky sidebar on everything in Windows XP. Microsoft doesn't get useability. They come up with something generic and they think they can apply it to everything.
If MS has the metro UI running beautifully on iPhone then that means iPhone users today are being trained on tomorrow's Metro UI - and this is before the Win8 phones have even launched. Very clever...
That's my plan. I'm trying to bring an end to the excessive large sigs used by ConradJoe et al. by pointing out their obnoxiousness. Join me in OCCUPY SIGNATURE.
So you decide the best approach is to be obnoxious? Brightest bulb in your class were you...
So you decide the best approach is to be obnoxious? Brightest bulb in your class were you...
Yes I was. Reductio ad absurdum literally means "reduction to the absurd."
So you decide the best approach is to be obnoxious? Brightest bulb in your class were you...
Soli was the only one in his class or didn't you know.
Nice.
FK Microsoft!!!! And anyone who things this is a good/great user interface must have the same problem as MSFT - Attention Deficit Disorder... For some strange reason they think a fashion magazine makes a good UI.
Back up your assertion with examples from your extensive knowledge if UI design, please.
It's clean and simple and intuitive. If you disagree, please say why.
That went well. I downloaded it just to see what I could do and got what appeared to be an embedded webpage saying, "Well, that shouldn't have happened..."
Nice.
Today Siri told me it didn't understand my request.
Nice.
That's my plan. I'm trying to bring an end to the excessive large sigs used by ConradJoe et al. by pointing out their obnoxiousness. Join me in OCCUPY SIGNATURE.
So is the idea that if everyone has an obnoxious oversized signature the mods will have to put some kind of line limit on signature sizes (e.g. like 2 or 3 lines?)
So is the idea that if everyone has an obnoxious oversized signature the mods will have to put some kind of line limit on signature sizes (e.g. like 2 or 3 lines?)
I thought the limit was 4, but that doesn't seem to be enforced, and ConradJoe's sign was obnoxious so my plan is see if they really don't have limits.
PS: The great thing about sigs is that they all change when you change them, they aren't static to each posting.