Microsoft's SmartGlass For Android Reviewed

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has released their much anticipated SmartGlass application for Android, allowing the Linux-based mobile OS to act as an input device for their Xbox 360 game console. While the app has its share of annoying problems, it does offer a glimpse into a possible future where consumer electronics are no longer crippled by the artificial barriers of manufacturer or operating system."

Re:Looks like they want it to have a future

[Anonymous Coward]

It's already out on Windows Phone as well.

Re:Shows MSs confidence in WIn 8/ARM tablets.

[Ferzerp]

Smartglass is available for both WP7 and WinRT, but hey, don't let reality interfere with your fantasy world.

Not happy on a Jelly Bean tablet

[Zigurd]

Not compatible with ASUS T-300 running Jelly Bean. :-(

Not bluetooth

[Dan East]

I first assumed this app would connect directly to my XBox via Bluetooth, and act as an actual controller device. It doesn't. Instead it requires internet connectivity on both the XBox and phone, and goes through the XBox Live servers (you have to sign into your XBox account on your phone, and also be logged into that XBox account on the XBox itself, before it can connect). I don't feel like messing around watching network traffic today, but I'm curious if XBox Live hands my phone over directly to the XBox (they find one another on my local network), or if all communication has to go through the XBox Live servers. There is a bit of latency, so I bet all communication is going out over the internet even though the devices are only 5 feet apart and both on the same LAN.

I found the gestures a bit clunky. For example, you have to touch-hold while dragging to drag faster. However there isn't any method (that I could find) to go through a whole page at a time in the XBox menus. I had to go item by item. I think I would prefer a simple D-Pad type setup on my phone, with dedicated buttons to scroll entire pages / screens at a time.

Re:Not bluetooth

[Colonel Korn]

I first assumed this app would connect directly to my XBox via Bluetooth, and act as an actual controller device. It doesn't. Instead it requires internet connectivity on both the XBox and phone, and goes through the XBox Live servers (you have to sign into your XBox account on your phone, and also be logged into that XBox account on the XBox itself, before it can connect). I don't feel like messing around watching network traffic today, but I'm curious if XBox Live hands my phone over directly to the XBox (they find one another on my local network), or if all communication has to go through the XBox Live servers. There is a bit of latency, so I bet all communication is going out over the internet even though the devices are only 5 feet apart and both on the same LAN.

I found the gestures a bit clunky. For example, you have to touch-hold while dragging to drag faster. However there isn't any method (that I could find) to go through a whole page at a time in the XBox menus. I had to go item by item. I think I would prefer a simple D-Pad type setup on my phone, with dedicated buttons to scroll entire pages / screens at a time.

For reference, 360 controllers don't use bluetooth.

Re:Looks like they want it to have a future

[im_thatoneguy]

Except they released it two days earlier for Windows Phone and it runs great. But.. whatever.

Re:Is this Microsoft's response to

[Billlagr]

I'm not sure it will make a lot of difference to be honest. The Wii-U has the touchscreen controller, shipped with every Wii-U. It is a consistent, core component that publishers know will be present and can reliably build functionality for, whereas this is a kind of add-on that publishers can't count on being present, or even consistent. Different screen resolutions, depends on network availability, which may or may ot introduce some lag or delay. I can't really see it being anything more than a short lived novelty