Know everything about: Xbox SmartGlass

The new Xbox 360 SmartGlass app lets you stream games, movies and music here, there and everywhere.

These days the Xbox 360 is far more than just a games console and its credentials as an all-round entertainment hub are being pushed even further with the announcement of the Xbox SmartGlass app at the E3 games show.

Designed to connect all your devices in a similar way to Apple AirPlay and Samsung All Share, SmartGlass can turn almost any touchscreen device into an extension of the Xbox 360. All you need is an Xbox LIVE account and an Xbox 360 plugged into a TV and you’ll be able to beam entertainment back and forth between your Xbox 360 and your mobile devices.

So you could be watching an episode of Game of Thrones on your tablet on the bus, then when you get home just send it to the Xbox 360 and finish watching on the big screen. As well as transferring content at home and on the go, the SmartGlass app can generate extra content, so if you’re watching a movie on the TV it could be sending details on the cast to your smartphone.

These ‘second screen’ capabilities could have even bigger benefits for gaming. For example, while you’re deep into a game of Halo 4 on the Xbox 360, why not keep a view of the level maps on your phone, updating in real-time to hep you find your way?

As Microsoft preps its next-gen Xbox for release in 2013, the SmartGlass app will help the Xbox 360 compete with the new Nintendo Wii U the big selling point of which is a tablet controller offering an on-the-go extension of your gaming and media – essentially, an advanced version of what the SmartGlass app will give you for free.

The Xbox SmartGlass app will be available for Windows 8 tablets, Windows Phone 7 smartphones and also iOS and Android devices.

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