Home Gaming SmartGlass on the Xbox One will be much, much better

SmartGlass on the Xbox One will be much, much better

2 min read
100

SmartglassOne

SmartGlass, the tablet companion app for the Xbox 360 kinda sucks. It’s damned slow, it takes ages to connect with the console, it has barebones functionality, and it’s damned slow. Have I mentioned that’s it’s a little slow? It won’t be, on the Xbox One.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft’s box Live General Manager Ron Pessner has thoroughly detailed how SmartGlass will work on the Xbox One. The first point to notice is that it connects to the Xbox One natively – taking away much of the terrible latency found on the current iteration.

“Xbox One was designed from the ground up with SmartGlass in mind, and an immediately noticeable difference with Xbox One SmartGlass compared to Xbox 360 SmartGlass is the connection speed and performance," Pessner says in a canned interview on Xbox Wire.

"On average it only takes about four seconds for SmartGlass to recognize your Xbox One and create an instant connection," claims Pessner, saying it’s  "about three-and-a-half times faster on Xbox One than its Xbox 360 counterpart.” You’ll also be able to hook up 16 SmartGlass devices to a single Xbox One simultaneously.

That could make it actually quite an interesting machine when it comes to digital versions of boardgames.

you’ll also be able to use Smartglass for matchmaking, and finding games to play. "If you’re in the middle of game on your console, you can begin matchmaking for a multiplayer session through SmartGlass and you won’t interrupt your action on the big screen," he described.

It’ll also be used to help and guide players who’re having trouble in some games – with walkthroughs, tips, and other bits of digital aide.

"We’re working closely with developers today to add game help to individual Xbox One titles. This is done by game creators making a help manual that we then host in SmartGlass. During gameplay, SmartGlass follows your progress and knows exactly where you’re at and where you’re having trouble, so that when you hit the Help button you’ll be given the tips you need."

And naturally, you’ll be able to browse and make purchases from the Xbox Games store using your tablet or phone, which will then start downloading to your console.

It certainly sounds like SmartGlass will be better on the Xbox One – and could actually end up being useful, instead of just kinda cool, but entirely pointless. I’ve tried to use it on the 360, but end up being frustrated and annoyed.

Last Updated: September 9, 2013

100 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief of Rivia

    September 9, 2013 at 13:14

    Mos cool ek sê

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      September 9, 2013 at 13:28

      Who is your Witcher 2 going?

      I am replaying (Xbox) to get both paths done.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        September 9, 2013 at 13:32

        Hmm I should start it up again & choose an alternate path. Just finished Saints Row 3 over the weekend & haven’t decided what’s next yet.

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          September 9, 2013 at 13:37

          Well, I had about 4 months between run throughs.

          It just gets too much to just restart when done.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 13:43

            I haven’t played it since finishing it the first time, just after it came out. Haven’t even seen the enhanced edition heh. All I really remember is that I went along with the human side of things.

      • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

        September 9, 2013 at 13:35

        Save Triss FTW…

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          September 9, 2013 at 13:37

          Spoiler alert?

          but I did on 1st run through, no way I would not. I played Witcher 1 and she is just ultra cool

          Reply

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            September 9, 2013 at 13:43

            Well Depends.
            Iorweth or Roche?
            Are you hunting for all the legendary Weapon and Armor sets?
            Personally, I will always save the sexah ginger…

          • Brady miaau

            September 9, 2013 at 14:11

            I am now on Roche path.

            And nah, I have no patience to go hunting for sets in any game. I play story and then stop.

            I miss the little town of Vergen to be honest, I liked the naive people, dwarfies and elves.

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            September 9, 2013 at 14:29

            Did you import the Save File from Witcher 1? You get a nice armor set and 2 nice swords (that kick ass)

          • Brady miaau

            September 9, 2013 at 15:16

            Nah, played Witcher 1 on PC. Pity, that

      • Admiral Chief of Rivia

        September 9, 2013 at 13:42

        I’m assuming you mean HOW and not WHO…

        😛

        Its going brilliantly, really flippen awesome game. Not a walk in the park, and I love it!

        Reply

        • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

          September 9, 2013 at 13:44

          have you got the Combat rebalance Mod installed?
          Makes things a lot of fun 🙂

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 13:45

            Nay, explain yourself?

          • GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness

            September 9, 2013 at 13:53

            http://witcher2.nexusmods.com/mods/635//?

            One of the Employees of CdprojecktRed made a combat mod that makes Geralt a LOT more responsive, revamped Combat a bit, makes the game smoother and harder at the same time 🙂

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 13:55

            *salutes GLCA*

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          September 9, 2013 at 13:46

          Did you find the Assassins Creed easter egg I told you about? That made me lol.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 13:49

            Your “spoiler” was luckily so vague that I was sufficiently surprised when coming upon it. Only afterwards I realised that was what you were talking about.

            So much lulz

        • Brady miaau

          September 9, 2013 at 15:17

          Good to hear.

          It can be frustrating at times, but just pay attention, the game gives enough info to complete.

          Reply

  2. Brady miaau

    September 9, 2013 at 13:29

    Without even reading the article, my first thought was:

    It certainly cannot be any worse!

    Reply

  3. RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

    September 9, 2013 at 13:31

    I’v tried using the bloody thing a few times and it’s never been anything more than a gimmick me thinks!

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      September 9, 2013 at 13:55

      I dont even like the name, smart glass…. I mean how can glass be smart

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief of Rivia

        September 9, 2013 at 13:57

        Same way that Tanya does photoshop

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          September 9, 2013 at 14:31

          its times like these I regret using my photoshop skills…

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 14:35

            Don’t be, else no one would have learned about you Tanya 😉

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:41

            gee how lucky am I……..

    • Hammersteyn

      September 9, 2013 at 13:58

      Now this is how you market glass. Not sure if it would work for smart glass though…
      http://i.imgur.com/90Wyd.gif

      Reply

      • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

        September 9, 2013 at 14:07

        WIN!

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          September 9, 2013 at 14:44

          you have been rather quiet today rince….

          Reply

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 14:47

            Ya, hungover so doing more than, well, sitting hurts…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 14:53

            I trust you didn’t spill on your Lg shirt again? ;P

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 14:54

            Actually, my mate bought me a top with ‘Dreams are golden, duct tape is silver’ and I spilt on that 🙁 Red wine, again…

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:55

            red red wine!!! you ruined my tshirt again, you make my skin feel like sand! oh oh ahhhh red red wine! *I dont know where that comes from* oh well

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 14:56

            0-O Admiral, help!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:56

            NNNNOOOOOO!!!! spare me! im tired of the abuse!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 14:58

            Tanya, what the hell are you doing out of the kitchen???!!!???

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:58

            I was ummm cleaning!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:01

            Make us a sammich dammit

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:20

            ill give you a cockmeat sandwhich!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:21

            So you will have to bring boyfriend along, since you require a c0ck for the meat?

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:25

            Damn man you cant be beaten! I give up! no more will I try win header or comment of the week

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:27

            Ahhh, grasshopper, you have now endured the trial of the spirit.

            You have passed the trial of skill, with your photoshop skills.

            Now only, the trial of the flesh, then we can call you brother!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:28

            Fine then I shall endure your torture… but mark my words ill get you ill get you good dear Admiral

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:30

            You need to post a chilli eating video…

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:30

            screw that! what kinda club you think this is!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:30

            This is Lagz club, and the first rule is…you must pass the trials

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:33

            and who died and made you king?? I doubt the others went through these trials, I was ignored till I showed my skills by thee admiral

          • Hammersteyn

            September 9, 2013 at 15:34

            LOL I had to NOT troll COD for one week.
            * Lasted four days 🙁

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:36

            It was the hardest thing to watch man. Great respect was earned!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:37

            Indeed, I felt bad doing it, but kept on going and going, had to break him 🙂

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:39

            He lasted quite a while didn’t he? I think Deon was also tripped up close to the finish posts…

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:41

            Not quite, he trolled earlier the week, but he posts so much it was quite difficult to track and judge each comment

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 16:15

            so what is it I have to do then? no chilli eating cant wont be done

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 16:16

            Depends how focussed and determined you are…

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 16:38

            I am pretty focused and determined, I mean im a graphic designer so gotta deal with kak all the time

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:35

            Now now, you are 2/3 of the way there, don’t give up now!

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:35

            We all have trials, just in different ways grasshopper. For example, I’ve had to endure the wit of @Admiral_Chief:disqus for over a year and only now am I a real boy!

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:37

            Don’t forget the poop rince, don’t forget…

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:37

            I, I, 0-o

          • Hammersteyn

            September 9, 2013 at 15:31

            TRIALS OF THE FLESH!

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:32

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:33

            I was eating my sandwhich thanks rince!

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:37

            That the cocksandwich? BOOM! Hehe, couldn’t resist 😉

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:37

            WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

          • Hammersteyn

            September 9, 2013 at 15:34

            I was thinking eating chillies but if you can eat that you win

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:35

            Yikes

          • Hammersteyn

            September 9, 2013 at 15:29

            Let’s call you Falafel since you hate Arabs?

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:29

            XD

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:49

            It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.

          • Hammersteyn

            September 9, 2013 at 15:21

            Wrong way around since your Tanya

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 15:23

            Check hand size & for an adam’s apple :/

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            September 9, 2013 at 16:01

            Hey Tanya, that’s no way to speak to ANGELA!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 14:56

            lol. I saw a shirt in Markhams last week with “Move over coffee, this is a job for alcohol” I was sorely tempted.

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 14:56

            lol. This one was only R40 too. It had the advantage of not taking 3 months to arrive like my LG shirt too 😉

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:57

            thats a big plus point

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:18

            I saw one with NINJA BREAD MAN where a gingerbread man is dressed as a ninja

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 15:22

            lol that is winning.

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:01

            You sir, have ze drinking problem…

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 15:02

            I know. I keep spilling…

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:03

            Yar.

            Write this down:
            1. Pick up glass
            2. open mouth
            3. pour liquid in mouth
            4. close mouth
            5. swallow
            6. put down glass
            7. repeat

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 15:04

            Rince and repeat did you say?

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:07

            what kind of liquid…..

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:10

            Tanya-juice

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:11

            you sicken me

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:18

            Now now Tanya, all in good fun 🙂

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 14:58

            You drank with your cloaca?

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 14:59

            ??

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 14:59

            I had to drink to just fall asleep last nice, but brandy not red wine… wine gives me headaches

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:00

            “last nice”?

            Eish Tanya….

          • RinceThisandFINALLYlvUP!

            September 9, 2013 at 15:02

            Hahahahah!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:06

            you making a joke outta me! 🙁

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:10

            No Tanya, just pointing out a spelling mistake.

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:00

            “sitting hurts”

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 9, 2013 at 15:11

            Now factor in the red wine & the shirt mentioning duct tape. It all leads inescapably to one conclusion… That I can’t follow a chain of events & have no deductive skills.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            September 9, 2013 at 15:13

            a rough night he perhaps had 😉

          • Admiral Chief of Rivia

            September 9, 2013 at 15:16

            Janee….something seems off…butthurt…booze….spillage…..

          • RinceThesewinestains

            September 9, 2013 at 15:16

            Hahahaha! I liked this very much!

  4. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    September 9, 2013 at 16:00

    I always thought smartglass was a better concept than Kinect, granted I’ve only used it once or twice on my android. But yeah, it is rather pointless, because at the moment, the app isn’t that much more useful than checking your profile on a browser.

    Reply

  5. Pieter Kruger

    September 9, 2013 at 17:20

    Currently love using smartglass on the tablet while sitting outside at the braai and selecting tracks on xbox music to play! Schweeeeeeet!

    Reply

  6. Vampyre Squirrel

    September 10, 2013 at 10:54

    It’s not too bad from my S3 and my win8 laptop, but it does take a bit long to connect at times.

    Reply

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