Microsoft announces new Xbox SmartGlass experiences and commences free streaming Xbox Music

WP Central Microsoft announces new Xbox SmartGlass experiences

We wrote yesterday about the things to watch out for with the launch of Windows 8. Ane of those things was SmartGlass and Microsoft have now revealed more than ahead of the launch. They have updated the Windows eight apps and costless streaming is now available for Xbox Music.

Every bit function of a broader roll out of better entertainment services, SmartGlass aims to improve the ability to use tablets and smartphones to amend control the experience with the Xbox 360. The video goes on to show how internet sessions can be shared from Windows Phone 8 to the console, along with bouncing it back from the console to your tablet. It's looking awesome, check out the video later on the pause.

"I browsing session travelling across iii screens, that's the magic of SmartGlass"

WP Central One browsing session travelling across three screens, that's the magi

Samsung'due south ATIV Southward ushered into duty sharing a website with the Xbox..

During the video we can see a neat piece of integration between Windows Telephone 8 on an ATIV S and the Xbox 360. While using IE on the telephone he taps the context menu and selects share to Xbox, the browser session is sent over to the console and displays there. Text tin be entered using the phones superior keyboard and gestures can be used to command the screen. Some of the features nosotros accept already seen just it'due south nice to see them working as we hit the concluding stages. After that we see how using SmartGlass app on the phone, information technology'south possible to bring the browser session back to the tablet by pressing the Play Here push button, launching IE on the tablet. In his words "one browsing session travelling beyond iii screens, that'southward the magic of SmartGlass".

WP Central Graph of Xbox services expansion

Expanded reach of Xbox amusement services

In the announcement, Microsoft are great to show that Xbox is evolving across a unmarried device to a prepare of entertainment services. At nowadays their services just reach 35 countries that looks set to expand to 222 with the launch of Windows 8 later this week. Substantially, Microsoft is expanding the service to comprehend more of the territories that they sell Windows in, after all, how else will new Xbox Music users get their six months of gratis streaming? Regardless of the panel existence present they are keen to leverage the Xbox brand to market their revamped music and video services. Taking their user base from 70 million consoles to practically every new PC sold.

More affordable Xbox for U.s. customers

They also announce that from this fall, US customer will be able to take advantage of the "Entertainment For All" pricing plan (mentioned back in early May). Information technology will allow consumers to grab an Xbox360 for $99 when they sign upwardly for 2 years of Xbox Live subscription. Information technology volition exist available at Best Buy, GameStop, Walmart, Toys R United states of america and the Microsoft Store.

SmartGlass and Xbox Music Windows 8 Apps updated

WP Central SmartGlass and Xbox Music Windows 8 Apps updated

Got Windows 8? Free streaming starts now, ends in six months time!

Microsoft have pushed out updates to the Window eight Xbox Music and SmartGlass apps today. Quick have, SmartGlass functionality is now complete every bit per the video walkthrough, allowing the web sessions to be taken from Xbox to Windows eight etc.

Free Streaming (Starting from today) - Now allows you to stream artist's using Smart DJ or to select an Artist and play their content for free.

Xbox Music Cloud – "Continue music on this device in sync with other Xbox Music devices" and "when I add a song to my music on other devices, download hither also".

Previous Purchases - Also, every bit expected, all music purchased through Zune is at present available to download idea Xbox Music to your tablet/PC or to simply stream.

WP Central WP Central SmartGlass and Xbox Music Windows 8 Apps updated

Playback screen - Updated

Playing to other devices from Xbox Music on Windows 8

You lot tin't use "Play To" from Xbox Music free streaming on your Windows 8 machine to send to your Xbox – yous'll demand to go the Music Laissez passer for that.

You can send costless streamed music to a Bluetooth device and so information technology'due south not completely restricted.

Here are the central points of the annunciation:

Navigate your Entertainment – Your telephone and tablet will become the best remote controls in your business firm. Use the touch on screen on your smartphone or tablet to control your Xbox 360, and apply your devices to intermission, rewind or advance entertainment.
Boob tube & Movies – With Xbox Video, starting time a Television set show or pic on your Windows 8 tablet and finish it on the big screen through Xbox 360; encounter the names of cast and crew for the film you are watching and discover related films. To requite you one example of what y'all can expect, coming next season, HBO Go'southward "Game of Thrones" will offer groundbreaking Xbox SmartGlass experiences.
Sports – While watching the game, use a 2nd screen to follow real-time stats, player bios, news and highlights you may have missed. All of this and more will be bachelor for NBA Game Time, ESPN and UFC in the coming months.
Music – Control your Xbox Music feel on the Telly using your smartphone or tablet, discover related artists and songs, cue up additional music, read creative person bios and more.
Cyberspace Explorer for Xbox - The Spider web comes to TV like never before with Xbox 360 and Xbox SmartGlass. With your smartphone or tablet, pan or compression and zoom to explore the Spider web on the largest and best screen in the business firm, enjoy easy text entry with the keyboard on your tablet or phone, and so motility your browser back to your device to take it on the get.
Games – Get more than from your game when you tin can utilise a second screen. Turn you phone or tablet into a virtual GPS in Forza: Horizon. Don't cease the dance party in Trip the light fantastic Central three by going dorsum to the carte to choose your next song. Instead, queue information technology upward on your tablet or smartphone. In HomeRun Stars, use SmartGlass on your favorite device to throw a surprise pitch to your friend up at bat in front of Kinect. See detailed stats on how you are progressing in Halo 4, or cheque up on friends. All of these features and much more volition be available when your favorite game extends to multiple screens.

Bing on Xbox Updates Arrive on Xbox Live

Also announced is a gear up of improved Bing updates for the console. Search on Xbox has been around for a while but with the update comes expanded reach so vox search will now work in the following regions: Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italian republic, Kingdom of spain, Mexico, France, Canada (FR), Ireland, Japan, Austria and Switzerland (FR and German language).

They claim to have improved the accuracy of vocalism searches along with expanded capabilities. Amongst them are the ability to search for music as well as search for movies by genre. A dainty set of improvements to help make better use of that Kinect.

As we wrote yesterday, Microsoft's "three screens" strategy will only be made possible with effective services. SmartGlass is 1 of those services, information technology's looking great on Microsoft's own products and more than chiefly for us as Windows Telephone users we should be in line for some overnice baked in abilities from the become become. Keeping that browsing session going betwixt console, telephone and tablet looks awesome.

Nosotros're keen to hear what you think, so please so let us know in those comment below..

New changes

Windows Insider Program is changing the style it tests Windows 11 builds

Microsoft has today announced that it'south changing up the way in which it flights preview builds of Windows xi to Insiders registered in the Dev or Beta Channels. Going forrad, both channels are to be considered the "active development co-operative," merely for different kinds of characteristic testing.