Microsoft Xbox One Smartglass Review And Overview
This Microsoft Xbox One Smartglass Review And Overview will cover everything you need to know about Microsoft’s mobile companion app for the Xbox One. For those who missed it, Microsoft released the Smartglass mobile app at the tail end of the Xbox 360 life cycle. The app originated as the Xbox Smartglass for Xbox 360, but has now evolved into the Xbox One Smartglass for Xbox One.
At first, Xbox One Smartglass seem like another “gimmicky idea”. Is there really a place for smartphones and mobile devices in the console gaming market? At first I didn’t think so, but after getting my hands on the Xbox One Smartglass, I’ve changed my mind.
What’s The Point Of Xbox One Smartglass?
This Xbox One Smartglass Review covers the basic idea behind Xbox One Smartglass. It essentially designed to let gamers experience the Xbox ecosystem from their mobile devices. In my living room, I can launch my Xbox One Smartglass application and connect it to my Xbox.
Here are some of the capabilities of the Xbox One Smartglass application:
- Navigation of the Xbox One dashboard using both the mobile device keyboard and touch screen.
- Control media and set top boxes with the integrated mobile remote control.
- Browse the internet on your TV using the keyboard and touch screen of the Xbox One Smartglass.
- Utilize the Xbox One Smartglass companion app within certain applications and games.
- Search, browse or pin content directly to the Xbox One dashboard.
- Track achievements, get game help, message friends and watch DVR clips from anywhere.
When I got access to mine, I was able to control the entire Xbox dashboard as well as many apps (The Browser, Netflix, Hulu, Settings, etc…) directly from my phone. When I loaded an Xbox One game that supported Xbox One Smartglass, such as Dead Rising 3, I was able to access various tools the developer gave me. This in-game integration is known as the Xbox Companion App.
A New Co-operative Gameplay Experience
Chris Keyworth and myself experienced an entirely different co-operative gameplay experience when we played Dead Rising 3 on The Craig and Chris Show. Usually single player games make the other individual feel left out. But the companion app allowed one of us to help the other person directly from Xbox One Smartglass.
The app in Dead Rising 3 allows a “compaion” to help the player navigate the roads, get new missions, locate upgrades, reference guides and find items directly from any mobile device. The blatant disregard for local multiplayer is one of the most frustrating things about Next Gen systems. Although many gamers prefer online gameplay, loss of local cooperative gameplay limits opportunities for many gamers who want to play games with their friends.
The good news is many developers are coming up with more and more ways to utilize the companion app within their games. Also, many games support the Xbox One Smartglass companion app. Wikipedia offers the most comprehensive list of Xbox One Smartglass companion app games.
Excellent Implementations
Mobile devices and applications such as the Xbox One Smartglass are really a great addition to Next Gen applications. Will gamers use them? That remains to be seen. Developers really only spend time on features they believe will enhance the product and experience for the majority of users. The good news is Microsoft doesn’t limit developers to using their Smartglass application for mobile support. Games such as Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag are an amazing example of this.
Assassins Creed: Black Flag uses their own application that interfaces with the Xbox One console and “Uplay” account associated with a gamer tag. Using this, Ubisoft was able to create it’s own “App based mini-game” that integrates directly into the full Assassins Creed: Black Flag game. Within the application, gamers are allowed to connect to their “fleet” of ships they’ve plundered as pirates. Then can then send these ships on missions to exchange goods for in-game currency.
The next time the player logs into their game on their Xbox One console, they are able to collect their “winnings” from these missions. To take it a step further, Ubisoft also integrated the “capturing” of ships on the full Assassins Creed: Black Flag game. Once you capture a ship in the game, you have the option to send it to your “mobile fleet”. This type of mobile app development allows users to continue their gaming experience without the need to play the full game.