Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Microsoft reveals Xbox SmartGlass

7 hrs.

Microsoft has unveiled a new technology it's calling SmartGlass ? a way to share videos and gaming content?across a variety of devices.

At its keynote event in advance of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Microsoft executives demonstrated how the?SmartGlass application?will let you share a variety of media from your?tablets and mobile devices to your TV.

According to a?Microsoft press release, the free?app?is for Windows 8, Windows Phone and "other portable devices" and is coming sometime this year. It will connect phones, tablets and PCs?with your Xbox 360 giving you more control over video and other content and the ability to share videos across devices.

It will also offer "companion content."?By way of example, at the E3 keynote executives showed how SmartGlass would enable you?to?watch "Game of Thrones" on your TV via?Xbox 360's HBO Go app?while your tablet provides you with a map of Westeros and?a look at?where things are taking place in the show's fictional?world.

They also showed how?gamers playing "Halo 4" on their Xbox 360?could access and view?in-game maps on their tablet. And they showed how those playing?"Madden NFL" on their Xbox?would be able to draw a play on their tablet and make it happen in the game.

Microsoft is?calling SmartGlass "an intelligent companion" that pulls you deeper into the experience. Though details are still forthcoming, SmartGlass appears to be Microsoft's answer to Apple's AirPlay. The?app will apparently work with tablets and phones of the Windows, Android and iOS variety.

SmartGlass is also?an interesting answer to what Microsoft competitor?Nintendo is planning to do with its forthcoming Wii U game machine. That is -- ?provide a second screen for gamers to access additional content on.

Nintendo's Wii U will come with a?GamePad -- a controller with a screen built into it. The GamePad will give players and?additional and different way to interact with the games they're playing.?

Meanwhile, SmartGlass appears to be?yet another part?of Microsoft's ongoing push to make the Xbox not just a game machine but an all-in-one media center. Earlier in the keynote address, Microsoft revealed its forthcoming Xbox Music service.

Microsoft announced SmartGlass during a keynote event in advance of the Electronic Entertainment Expo which starts in Los Angeles this week.?Be sure to check out?writer Devin Coldewey's?live blog of the entire event right here.

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

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The E3 trade show is the place where many of the biggest games and most important gaming news is revealed by those in the business. This year's E3 will fill the L.A. Convention Center with dazzling displays of new games, gadgets and other innovations from more than 200 industry representatives.

Technically speaking, the doors to E3 swing wide for three days from Tuesday, June 7, to Thursday, June 9. But the fun gets under way today with Microsoft, Sony, EA and Ubisoft all hosting epic press events to unveil their latest game offerings.

In-Game has?a team on the ground atE3 in Los Angeles. Stay tuned here to In-Game to catch our breaking game coverage. Butfor all the fast and furious news also be sure to check out our In-Game Facebook page as well as our Twitter feeds: @ToddKenreck and @WindaBenedetti.

In-Game editor Todd Kenreck will also bring you ongoing snapshots from the E3 floor via his @ToddKenreck Instagram account. And don't miss the E3 experiences from video producer Matt Rivera who will be posting via his Twitter and Instagram accounts here: @MattMRivera.

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