http://www.computerandvideogames.com/37 ... ctober-26/

That's totally not a waste of resources.

Who knows? With many media companies fearful of Apple they might actually get behind this.

It's less whether the companies do as whether the consumers do. Traditionally, 'add on' parts of home consoles tend to be a bit of a disaster.

At least Microsoft are trying something new. I wish them well in that.

So, I read the article but I still have no idea what this actually is.

That's because it's not really anything useful tbh

The idea is second screen functionality (maps in a game, video chat, social networking), but it all requires developers playing ball when they're still struggling to make games that actually work! The chances of it catching on...

I'm going to give this a whirl this week and see what it can do. will report back later.

You'll need some games that support it first. Of which at the moment there are about... none IIRC.

I believe (although could be wrong as I've only just installed it and I'm at work) I can control the Xbox using the phone like a remote for example. Functions like this will be useful even without game support.

Ah, yeah, that could be useful. I control my Sky box with my iPad, it just feels nicer than using a remote somehow.

It might not have many uses now but given time who knows? At least they are trying something different rather than simply copying Apple, like Samsung. So thumbs up Microsoft.

Absolutely. This time they're copying Nintendo.

Yes but the second screen is on another device rather than a two screen device like Nintendo.

He might mean the Wii U. It'll almost certainly sell like hotcakes initially, but it could actually help sink Nintendo in the long run* if they can't sell LOADS of 3rd party games.

* This one's sold at a loss apparently, Nintendo has struggled to shift games themselves for years, the 3DS isn't all it could be, and the ACTUAL next-gen living room machines are around the corner. Allegedly

I forgot about the Wii U? Anyway I do think that the SmartGlass concept looks good, even if you ignore the games aspects. As you mentioned the next consoles are probably only a year away.