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Xbox Live app arrives on Android devices

by Mark Tyson on 14 June 2012, 11:48

Tags: Xbox 360

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Microsoft has just released an Xbox Live app for the world’s most popular smartphone operating system; Android. For Apple iOS users, a platform for which the app was already available, an update to the existing Xbox Live app containing several new features has been also released. The Xbox Live app uses a Metro-like panel interface design.

Android

Users of Android smartphones can head over to the Google Play store for the Xbox Live app download. The Android app lets Xbox fans do the following;

  • Track and compare your achievements with your LIVE friends
  • Change up your 3D avatar
  • Message your Xbox LIVE friends
  • Edit your LIVE Profile

Xbox Live app on Android

The Android device requirements are that you need Android version 2.2+ and your screen resolution is “WGVA or higher”, however I think they mean WVGA 800x480 (or higher), which is the regular Windows Phone Mango screen resolution. That rules out quite a lot of older and cheaper Android smartphones.

Apple iOS

The Xbox live app sounds like it’s quite a bit more mature and slick on Apple’s iOS, a platform for which it’s been available for about six months. The iOS Xbox Live app version 1.5 has the following improved features;

  • Remote control your Xbox with the iPhone
  • Retina display support
  • Recent console activity quick jump list
  • A discover section for content on the Xbox Live Marketplace

Windows Phone

The Windows Phone Xbox Companion app was last updated in late February. The app hasn’t been updated on Windows Phone Marketplace today but perhaps the developers are saving their efforts for SmartGlass which is “in essence version 2.0 of the Xbox Companion app.” You can see an early SmartGlass demonstration here on YouTube. Eventually SmartGlass will be released on all major mobile platforms.



HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

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It's ok, I think they should let you browse the XBL arcade for new games, and watch videos or look at pictures about them. Also It should have more of the Inside Xbox stuff available. Oh, and the STUPID sounds it makes when you scroll or press a button need to have an option to be muted….
Bunjiweb
It's ok, I think they should let you browse the XBL arcade for new games, and watch videos or look at pictures about them.
+1 on this - maybe take a page out of Google Play's book where you could shop for games on your phone/tablet and then - after purchase of course - have them installed to your XBox automatically when it's next powered on.
Bunjiweb
Also It should have more of the Inside Xbox stuff available.
That'll be the same “Inside XBox” that got cancelled last month? :eek: (http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/inside-xbox-uk-scrapped/095753)
Bunjiweb
Oh, and the STUPID sounds it makes when you scroll or press a button need to have an option to be muted….
On my SIII the noises are okay. BTW, did you know if you tap on your avatar then you can get he/she/it to animate - nothing Disney needs to fear, but a nice small touch. Actually it'd be nice if you had the same control that you have on an XBox itself - being able to spin the character etc.

The videos in there look nice, but the app definitely performs a whole lot better over WiFi than 3G. :(
Bunjiweb
It's ok, I think they should let you browse the XBL arcade for new games, and watch videos or look at pictures about them. Also It should have more of the Inside Xbox stuff available. Oh, and the STUPID sounds it makes when you scroll or press a button need to have an option to be muted….
I agree. This app is very limited. Why release a shiney new version for Apple and just dump the old version on Android. Smacks of laziness.