Xbox Live Gets an iOS App With a Sprinkle of Metro
iOS users get their own Xbox Live application.
It's been quite a week for Xbox already, with the launch of the hotly anticipated update to the Xbox Dashboard having just been released. However, Microsoft isn't resting on its laurels -- the company also released a companion app for Windows Phone 7 users and, yesterday, an official iOS Xbox Live application for Apple users.
Its arrival comes almost immediately after the Windows Phone 7 companion app, but the application for iPad, iPod and iPhone users is no where near as packed with features. Users of the Windows Phone 7 app can read up on whatever movie, TV show, music or game that is playing on their console; navigate through their console; play, pause, fast forward, or rewind content; initiate purchases; retrieve friend activity, achievements and related items; and launch a movie, TV show, game or app on the connected console simply by selecting a search result. Unfortunately, iOS users aren't nearly as spoiled for features. Microsoft's Major Nelson says the free app will allow you to read and send messages to friends, manage your friends list, invite new friends, read and edit your full Live profile, change your avatar features, and view and compare your achievements with friends. Not quite as cool, but better than nothing.
You can download either app for free. Click here for Windows Phone 7, or here for iOS.
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So basically Microsoft severely dumbed down their app for one of the three largest mobile OS platforms to try and sell more WP7's?
WP7 - the platform you want if you're a gamer and want to see what movie your friend is watching, but not the platform you want if you actually want to play (good) mobile games.
METRO IS INVADING!!!! OH THE HUMANITY!!! SAVE THE CHILDREN
Who was this update hotly anticipated by? I want it off my frickin xbox, it is horrible. What were the supposed benefits of this?
...and not even for Android? You'd think that with all the resources that Microsoft has at their command coupled with the SKD and tools available out there for free for the Android OS they'd come out with an Android version? I get the feeling that it's because the Android OS is butchering their (albeit very good) Windows Phones out there.
So basically Microsoft severely dumbed down their app for one of the three largest mobile OS platforms to try and sell more WP7's?WP7 - the platform you want if you're a gamer and want to see what movie your friend is watching, but not the platform you want if you actually want to play (good) mobile games.
I also think that Microsoft does not want to give Apple 30% of all XBox sales performed from an Apple device.
WP7 is growing and is a great phone O/S. Tuffjuff - You are wrong my friend. There are plenty of great games on WP7.
WP7 will consume all! LOL. Overall this is one of those things where you cant satisfy everyone. I for one am happy with the Companion and Xbox updates.
Maybe I am the only one who doesn't want my computer, gaming console, and phone to have an interface made for a tablet...
WP7 is growing and is a great phone O/S. Tuffjuff - You are wrong my friend. There are plenty of great games on WP7. WP7 will consume all! LOL. Overall this is one of those things where you cant satisfy everyone. I for one am happy with the Companion and Xbox updates.
Your comments don't make you sound like a flaming fanboy [b]at all[b].
The only way you could be satisfied with WP7's game selection is if you'd never looked at iTunes or the Android Market.
What's next? Xbox games on iMac and MacBook or Xbox Live Arcade games on an Apple TV?
Nothing like a common enemy to get enemies to co-operate?
Metro actually works well with the XBOX 360's dashboard. I wish you were able to still have an option to change the interface with past dashboard versions. I still think the original dashboard that came with the XBOX 360 was the best.
I actually like the look of the Metro interface. Everyone has their own preference and that's fine. To me the iOS and Android are WAY too similar and the icons look tacky, a bit like the way the internet was back in 2000 when everything had a drop-shadow and bevelled edge. Call Metro plain or "dumbed down" if you like but I think it is actually clean and stylish.
I'm currently using and old Symbian phone and was looking to go to Android next but I like a lot of what MS is doing these days. It's still early days but hopefully WP8 will improve again on what Mango did for WP7.
Just to go "in your face, Apple!"