Xbox SmartGlass available for Android

A few days ago we reported on a new app coming from Microsoft, Xbox SmartGlass, that creates a connection between a user’s mobile device and their Xbox. The app is similar to immersive entertainment solutions like Netflix or IntoNow that enable you to watch content on your big screen TV while controlling the content from your device. These apps typically provide you with access to other information about the content and social media interaction with other fans. Xbox SmartGlass does the same thing for users who have an Xbox Live Gold subscription and the popular gaming platform.

When Microsoft released a video about Xbox SmartGlass, it appeared it would be released today only with support for Windows 8 devices. Android and iOS version supposedly would not appear until early 2013. Like Samsung’s announcement about the U.S. rollout of Jelly Bean for Samsung Galaxy S III devices that indicated “coming months,” only to be followed up a week later by Sprint’s rollout, it looks like someone at Microsoft decided sooner was better than later.

The Microsoft Surface Tablet: Average Features In An Average Package

If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past few days, you’re probably well-aware of the upcoming Microsoft Surface tablet. Dubbed as one of the saviors for Microsoft’s rapidly degrading brand, the Surface tablet has already been identified as the true iPad and Android tablet challenger. With its thin profile and abundant storage space (comes in 32GB or 64GB configurations with an expandable storage slot), the Surface tablet will have at least the physical features to make it an interesting product. However, the hardware is just one aspect of the tablet— the real kicker is Microsoft’s brand-new OS: Surface for Windows RT technology. The OS will essentially mirror its upcoming Windows 8 OS, while having exclusive offerings like Microsoft Office 2013 and a special version of Netflix included with the tablet. So in essence, upcoming Surface tablet seems to be a true productivity workhorse— at least on the surface (no pun intended folks).