E3 2012: Microsoft unveils Xbox SmartGlass

Microsoft has used its E3 2012 press conference to unveil a new technology named Xbox SmartGlass, which serves to connect consumer’s consoles, phones, tablets and other devices.

A software solution that will run on Xbox 360, various mobiles including Android and iOS, and platforms such as tablets, SmartGlass allows users to push content from device to device, share content across hardware platforms, and use the likes of tablets as ‘second screens’ to improve the experience of watching films and playing games.

"We’re opening new doors to producers, artists and creators to produce content that isn’t limited to a single screen," said Microsoft’s head of Xbox Live Mark Witten.

Witten’s vision includes users being sent extra content and detail about a game live to a device such as a tablet while the user plays the main game on screen.

SmartGlass also introduces touch screen Xbox 360 dash control via mobile and tablet.