Microsoft updates iPhone Xbox Live app with Wi-Fi console controller
Microsoft on Wednesday updated its iOS My Xbox Live application with a new feature that allows users to navigate their Xbox 360 over Wi-Fi with their iPhone.
Version 1.5 of the free application (iTunes link) is now available on the App Store. The 22.58-megabyte download requires iOS 4.3 or later
"Use your iPhone with your Xbox to connect, control and discover content on your console," the official description reads. "Connect your iPhone for access to a quick list of your most recent console activity. Control your content with play, pause, fast forward and rewind media controls. Find fresh entertainment to play in the new Discover section."
In addition to being a gaming console, the Xbox 360 also serves as a media center with PC connectivity, and the ability to buy and rent movies and TV shows, along with music and applications. In that respect, the Xbox 360 competes with Apple's own Apple TV set-top box.
Other additions to the iOS My Xbox Live app include improved authentication for increased stability, and high-resolution images for the new iPad. Remote control functionality is not yet available on the iPad.
Earlier this month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft showed off a new feature called SmartGlass that will go beyond the new remote control feature offered in Wednesday's app update. With SmartGlass, the Xbox 360 will enhance content watching and game playing by displaying unique content on an iPhone, iPad, or a mobile device running Google Android, Windows Phone, or Windows 8.
In Microsoft's media presentation, the company showed a user watching "Game of Thrones" on the Xbox 360's HBO Go application, while an interactive map of the show's fictional world was displayed and updated in real time on a wirelessly connected tablet. In another demonstration, a new version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser for Xbox 360 was controlled by a smartphone, like Apple's iPhone.
SmartGlass will also add new functionality to games like "Madden NFL" from EA Sports. In another demonstration, an iPad-like tablet was being used to select plays and even draw up new ones for use in the game on the Xbox 360 console.
SmartGlass will also allow users to stream content from their iPhone or iPad to their Xbox 360, much like how Apple's AirPlay feature, built in to iOS, lets users stream from an iOS device to an Apple TV.
Version 1.5 of the free application (iTunes link) is now available on the App Store. The 22.58-megabyte download requires iOS 4.3 or later
"Use your iPhone with your Xbox to connect, control and discover content on your console," the official description reads. "Connect your iPhone for access to a quick list of your most recent console activity. Control your content with play, pause, fast forward and rewind media controls. Find fresh entertainment to play in the new Discover section."
In addition to being a gaming console, the Xbox 360 also serves as a media center with PC connectivity, and the ability to buy and rent movies and TV shows, along with music and applications. In that respect, the Xbox 360 competes with Apple's own Apple TV set-top box.
Other additions to the iOS My Xbox Live app include improved authentication for increased stability, and high-resolution images for the new iPad. Remote control functionality is not yet available on the iPad.
Earlier this month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft showed off a new feature called SmartGlass that will go beyond the new remote control feature offered in Wednesday's app update. With SmartGlass, the Xbox 360 will enhance content watching and game playing by displaying unique content on an iPhone, iPad, or a mobile device running Google Android, Windows Phone, or Windows 8.
In Microsoft's media presentation, the company showed a user watching "Game of Thrones" on the Xbox 360's HBO Go application, while an interactive map of the show's fictional world was displayed and updated in real time on a wirelessly connected tablet. In another demonstration, a new version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser for Xbox 360 was controlled by a smartphone, like Apple's iPhone.
SmartGlass will also add new functionality to games like "Madden NFL" from EA Sports. In another demonstration, an iPad-like tablet was being used to select plays and even draw up new ones for use in the game on the Xbox 360 console.
SmartGlass will also allow users to stream content from their iPhone or iPad to their Xbox 360, much like how Apple's AirPlay feature, built in to iOS, lets users stream from an iOS device to an Apple TV.
Comments
Awesome!!! I can't wait to give this a try later.
It makes you wonder why Microsoft bother with an Android version, due to the fact that Google, via their subsidiary Motorola, is trying to ban the X-Box in the US over F/RAND based WiFi and H.264 standards essential patents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hill60
It makes you wonder why Microsoft bother with an Android version, due to the fact that Google, via their subsidiary Motorola, is trying to ban the X-Box in the US over F/RAND based WiFi and H.264 standards essential patents.
Because Microsoft isn't looking to punish the end user for the actions of an unrelated corporation they have nothing to do with, unlike some other tech companies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cash907
Because Microsoft isn't looking to punish the end user for the actions of an unrelated corporation they have nothing to do with, unlike some other tech companies.
If Google succeeds in the lawsuits over FRAND SEP's it condones, new buyers in the US will be banned from buying X-boxes which WILL impact Microsoft and end users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jragosta
Very cool. And from Microsoft, no less.
Operating system aside, Microsoft is a very bad ass software developer. You have to consider how many games, game platforms, devices, and applications they've actually written. Some of them are really good. This ones just ok. But more importantly it's not terrible and if they can continue to improve it, it would be bad ass. I used it all night tonight and never grabbed my xbox controller until i needed to turn the system off. They stopped short and should have added the xbox button. I think this is the first good step towards their smart glass system or strategy or whatever they're calling it. i like it
Really? I'd be interested in your evidence that Microsoft is a 'very bad ass' software developer. I've used several MS games and can't think of any that I consider 'really good'. The closest would be games that they purchased.
Most of the other software is simply bloatware. No consistency, no vision, no leadership - simply add new features as fast as you can and pretend that makes it good.
Now, if you left out 'ass' from the bolded quote, you'd be close to correct.
Whatever. Make a darn next-gen Xbox already! 1280x720 DX9 graphics in 2012 is sad, but I have no choice because trying to game on the PC is even sadder.
So many superb developers out there ~ Epic Games, Bioware, 343, Eidos, Gearbox, Ubisoft... Unleash them. Please, somebody.