xbox

Microsoft has obtained a handful of Xbox-related domain names after filing two disputes with the National Arbitration Forum. The domains were originally held by a Chinese resident by the name of Cheng Juan and included XboxPhone.com, XboxTablet.com, XboxLiveTV.com, XboxCompanion.com, Xbox8.us and Xbox8.org.

What's most notable here is are the two "Xbox 8" domain names. It's been known (speculated) for some time that the newest iteration of Xbox would be called Xbox 720. This was confirmed in a recently-leaked roadmap. However, that roadmap was 2 years old. Despite the fact that the latest Xbox will not be the eighth version Microsoft has put out, it's completely plausible that Microsoft would re-brand the new gaming console to fall in step with its Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 operating systems, with whom it shares the same basic kernel. Keep in mind that the name "Xbox 720" really doesn't hold much significance either, nor does it have a nice ring to it.

Microsoft issued a statement to Kotaku addressing (to use the word loosely) the recent domain name acquisitions:

"Microsoft often acquires various domain names as part of its ongoing business strategy, but beyond that we have no comment."

Other similar complaints have been filed with the National Arbitration Forum for Xboxliverewards.com, Xboxsports.com, Xboxsmartglass.com, and Xboxmusic.com.

Source: National Arbitration Forum, Via: ShackNews, Fusible, Kotaku

If the information and videos in our E3 2012 Summary weren't enough to quench your thirst for content surrounding Xbox Entertainment, fear not as we've got the above video for you giving a run through of what will be possible with Xbox, Windows and Windows Phone.

Our own Mateo wrote up a great editorial on how Microsoft is bringing all the platforms together with "3 screens, 1 voice", which is well worth checking out if you're interested in making the most of your Microsoft ecosystem.

We'll certainly be looking forward to the fall when all these great announcements come together. Xbox Music, Video, TV, Sports, Internet Explorer, SmartGlass, and more. The best part is Windows Phone will be right there in the mist of the integration.

Source: YouTube

Xbox SmartGlass is Microsoft’s strategic move against Apple’s Airplay system (and preemptively against Google TV); it’s an evolution for your Windows Phone, Windows Desktop and Windows 8 Tablets. Why is it the evolution? Because Microsoft’s ecosystem is growing and they are focusing on inter-connectivity with all of their devices (and even those outside of their branding).  No phone left behind, no tablet ignored, no Desktop chained down. Windows 8 is bringing a fresh look and giving users a better feeling experience while they use these devices. 

Microsoft is effectively making their move to make your involvement a complete one with any of their devices. It’s a smart move because Windows 8 may be challenging for some people to learn and get used to. SmartGlass will give people the confidence in Windows 8, that it will not be another Vista, it is changing for the better. It's a straight up consumer feature.

Here’s the breakdown on how each device will pair with Xbox SmartGlass:

• If you are using a Windows 8 tablet, and are watching a video, you can pause on your tablet, and continue on your Xbox. The Tablet then becomes a companion device streaming live information about the movie you are watching, giving you access to the behind the scene details
• When you are playing a game, like the new Madden for Kinect, your Tablet can be used to make plays and actually play the game
• Your Windows Phone will do the same as the tablet, but there wasn’t any information that you will be able to control games with it, which is a little disappointing but I am sure more information will be released as we get closer to Windows Phone 8
• Use your phone to scroll web pages when using Internet Explorer for Xbox
• Your PC will be able to put up content to your Xbox, via video hubs, and also act as a companion device as well (but there was no demo, so we must assume there will be a few limitations when comparing using your windows phone or windows 8 tablet with SmartGlass)

Everyone knows about Apple TV and Airplay, but you need to buy separate devices and even then it is limited on how they interact. Airplay only mirrors your iPhone or iPad device but with SmartGlass your devices are much more than a mirror they become another opportunity for anyone to gain more content and control your Xbox. Everyone has an Xbox, and if you don’t, you’ll be needing one because SmartGlass is giving you what you always wanted; any Windows 8 Device to control and give you more information about what you’re watching on your Xbox.

This is great to see since Microsoft is adding more and more content to the Xbox Live experience, enhancing it to be your only multimedia device in your living room. As our culture gains more momentum in consuming content through the internet people are okay with paying for streaming services instead of traditional cable or satellite. Microsoft is giving the consumer the opportunity to have any kind of connected device they want, and their content will be available on all of it.

It's a smart step by Microsoft for growing their brand, and using it to its fullest potential. Needless to say, we like the future...

Microsoft held a fairly eventful press presentation at this year's E3, which saw the company unveil new services related to their best selling game console - the Xbox 360. More on these new services later, for now let's get through Xbox SmartGlass. As we previously covered, Xbox SmartGlass will connect the gaming console to other devices, including Windows 8 and Windows Phone as well as competitor platforms (Android and iOS). Think of the Xbox Companion app, but on steroids.

Apps developed for all supported platforms will enable users to control their Xbox 360 and interact with services on the big screen. Microsoft is attempting to transform the bog-standard home television into a Smart TV with the power and connectivity to pull down rich media content from the Internet. As mentioned above, SmartGlass will work with other Windows platforms, but will also be available for iPhone / iPad and Android devices. 

Example: should you happen to be watching a movie while on the go and would like to continue where you left off on the big screen, SmartGlass will enable you to resume the video on the Xbox 360. Gaming will also be taken to a new level with integrated through SmartGlass. A short demonstration was provided in the presentation with the upcoming title Halo 4. Halo Waypoint will come into play by offering lore information on in-game elements, as well as turning the mobile device into a companion device with match requests from friends being accepted on the handset, and then synchronised while in-game on the Xbox.

Internet Explorer was last to be announced with SmartGlass. The Xbox console will soon sport its own web browser, but instead of using the controller to navigate through the web, which could cause issues, Microsoft will use SmartGlass to allow users to choose Kinect or support mobile devices. Check out the video below for a quick run through of everything announced for SmartGlass.

Watch out for the release of SmartGlass sometime later this year. Be sure to check out our updates from the floor at E3 2012 where our Daniel Rubino and Paul Acevedo will continue to hunt down the latest news.

The Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) is just a few days away and Microsoft has given us a small glimpse at a new Xbox companion, Xbox Smart Glass. Xbox Smart Glass will be optimized for Windows tablets and phones to allow users to control their Xbox console, play videos and other media from their tablets and phones, and send videos to the Xbox to play on the television.

The app sounds similar to the Windows Phone Xbox Companion app but with a lot more gusto. Plus there's the Windows 8 tablet coming into play which is appealing in and of itself. Xbox Smart Glass will also be available for Android and iOS tablets and phones.

Microsoft will be demoing Smart Glass at E3 next week and hopefully will shed more light on the capabilities of Xbox Smart Glass. We'll be in attendance at E3 and hopefully we can shed more light on Xbox Smart Glass.

Source: Examiner Via: Engadget; Thanks, everyone, for the tip!

You've asked for it and now you'll get it.  In the continued push by Nokia and Microsoft of the outstanding Lumia line of Windows Phone, new Xbox Avatar props have been created. What's more, they're free.

The props were noticed by the site Xbox Avatar Gear and come in three flavors:

• Nokia Windows Phone Longboard
• Windows Phone #1 foam finger
• I <3 Windows Phone shirt

So how do you get one? Simple, you just sign up for the Windows Phone Insider Newsletter. That's it.  Once you do so, you'll receive an email with your Redeem Code which you can then enter at Xbox.com. We did it and managed to grab a Longboard which is pretty snazzy.

This isn't the first time we've seen Windows Phone Xbox props before. Back in June 2011 we saw a prop for US users that was simply a Windows Phone device that your avatar held in his hand and tossed around. There was also a limited edition Beards n Beaks one which was quite amusing.

However this new offer looks to be a much more widely available which is a good thing. Show off to your friends and share the Windows Phone love. Go grab it now.

Source: Xbox Avatar Gear, Windows Phone Insider Newsletter;  Thanks, Lucas L., for the tip!

Are you a member of the Xbox Rewards program? No? Then you could be missing out on promotions such as this, which includes 10,000 Microsoft Points. Yes - you read correctly, 10,000 Microsoft Points. But that's not all. The grand prize includes a limited edition Xbox 360 & Kinect Star Wars bundle, Xbox 360 Media Remote, 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership, Kinect Sports: Season 2, Dance Central 2 and Mass Effect 3. 

How does one get the chance to win such a prize, worth over £550? As mentioned above, you need to be enlisted on the Xbox Rewards program. Should you not have an account, it's pretty easy to set up with your Live ID. After your account has been verified, etc. all that's left for you to do is use your Gold Xbox LIVE Membership as you normally would. Purchase points, answer surveys, renew your membership, use services on your Xbox console (Sky, etc.), to name but a few.

You'll then be with a chance of winning some great prizes, such as the above promotion bundle. Should you require more information on the Xbox Rewards program, be sure to check out the FAQ section of the website (as well as the rewards table), which features a handy video walkthrough.

It's certainly interesting for Microsoft to offer such a large volume of points in the entertainment bundle as we've heard a number of rumours that point to the death of Microsoft Points as we know it in the future, which will be positive news for many gamers. How Microsoft will carry out the transition from what would most probably be points to actual local currency is yet to be seen. That aside, 10,000 points, an Xbox 360 Console and 12 months worth of Gold membership is an intriguing prize alone.

Microsoft has shaken things up a little for April's XBox Live Deal of the Week selections.  Rather than just putting it out there, they want to know what games users want to see discounted by creating a poll of four games.  The choices offered up for your consideration are: ZOMB1ES on teh ph0ne, Earthworm Jim, Doodle God, and Deer Hunter.  To vote, simply head to the source link and click on your choice, then click "Vote."  You can also find a link to the poll in your Windows Phone Games Hub.  Once you've made your decision, you will see what game leads the pack. 

There's no telling whether or not this will become the standard for Deal of the Week going forward, but it's pretty cool to see MS looking for users' input.

Source: Microsoft; Thanks for the tip, Natres!

Back in 2010, we first reported that Microsoft was planning to bring the ability of "three screens and a cloud" to modern devices. That involved a demonstration of playing a game on the a Windows Phone 7 Series device, pausing it and then picking it up on the Xbox 360.

Users salivated over such a feature, yet here we are in 2012 and it still does not exist between the Xbox 360, Windows Phone nor the PC. However... Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode II, due later this Spring, is evidently going to be the first title to support such a feature.

The Official Xbox Magazine site (oxmonline.com) ran a story this evening featuring a "hands on" demo of the new Sonic game destined for Xbox 360, Playstation, iOS and Windows Phone (called erroneously "Windows Mobile 7", grrr...). At about the 4:20 mark, we can hear Ken Balough, Digital Grand Manager on Sonic Episode II, talk about this unprecedented new feature:

"...and one of the cool things about it is that the Windows Mobile 7 (sic) and the Xbox are going to be able to work in tandem in ways that are completely new. So when you pick up the Windows Mobile 7 and you'll be able to play Sonic Episode II, save it, stop, boot up your Xbox 360 and pick up right where you left off. And that's a really cool thing Microsoft has going between the devices and I'm a huge fan of it..."

Call us crazy, but that sounds exactly like the feature first demonstrated two years ago that the world has been waiting for on their phones, perhaps the coup d'état between gaming and mobile that Microsoft desperately needs.

Could this Spring be the begriming of a whole new Xbox-Windows Phone interaction? We anxiously await. Check both videos after the break...