Xbox One SmartGlass: What's new?

You might remember Microsoft's SmartGlass that got announced at the E3 of 2012, and you might also know that there will be an updated version of SmartGlass for the Xbox One. For those that don't know what SmartGlass is, it basically is a second-screen (such as your phone, tablet, PC or laptop) for your Xbox One.There already was some information known about the new SmartGlass, such as the option to set up matches on their second-screen for their game and edit the gameplay that was recorded.

But what else will you be able to do with SmartGlass for the Xbox One? One of the most exciting features is that you will be able to use SmartGlass as a controller for the Xbox One since the latency between the app and the console is low enough for that now, however not much is known about this yet. But we now also know that you will be able to use your second-screen as a remote control for the TV feature of your Xbox One. You can check what programs are on right now with SmartGlass without messing with the TV screen, and you will of course be able to just use it as a remote control when your remote isn't in close range.

There will also be a special help-button inside of the app, which will give you tips when you use it while you're playing a game. SmartGlass follows your progression in the game and knows exactly where you are in the game. Since the game developers have to implement this feature themselves, it's not sure what we can expect from this feature. Will it be a walkthrough, will it get videos to explain certain things in the game or will it just be a handful of small tips that should help you when you get stuck? We will see when the app launches in the end of 2013.

The SmartGlass app will also make it easier for the user to browse the web. You will also be able to control music and video with SmartGlass, and also select games with it. Other features are checking Xbox Live achievements and chatting with your friends. As mentioned earlier in the post, the possibility to use SmartGlass as a controller exists. SmartGlass won't be a replacement of the controller and Microsoft also said that they are not aiming to make tablets and phones a sort of Wii U type of gamepad.

While the old SmartGlass app was designed for the Xbox 360, the Xbox One has been designed with SmartGlass in mind. If you have been using SmartGlass for the Xbox 360, you will notice a huge change in speed of the app. While the old app could take about 15 seconds to start, it will now take about 4 seconds. And the app doesn't have to send data to Microsoft datacenters anymore, it will now directly communicate with your Xbox One over wifi.