How to use Xbox 360 SmartGlass on your Android
Even if your 'droid device is not compatible
Microsoft has finally launched the audacious second-screen technology that it announced at E3 earlier this year.
It's called SmartGlass, and the idea behind it is that your tablet or phone becomes a handy extra display for content while you're playing a game or watching TV. It might, say, provide the cast list for the movie you're currently watching, or a map in Forza.
A SmartGlass app recently landed on Android. So, follow this tutorial to get your 'droid tablet or phone connected to your Xbox 360, and you'll be setting Dance Central playlists on your Samsung Galaxy S III in no time.
An iOS app is coming soon. Keep your eye on Pocket Gamer for news of that.
Disclaimer! If you follow steps 2 and 3 of this tutorial, Pocket Gamer accepts no responsibility for your downloading a dodgy version of the app which nicks all your data. Follow at your own risk.
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First up, you've got to download the Xbox SmartGlass app. There were some reports that the SmartGlass functionality would be added to the old My Xbox Live app, but it's not true - you'll need an all-new app.
It's free, but compatibility is spotty. You'll need to have Android 4.0 (or above) installed on your device, but not every Jelly Bean-enabled gizmo is going to work.
If that's the case with your device, read step 2. If your gadget is compatible with SmartGlass 'straight out of the box', however, head straight to step 4. | |
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If the SmartGlass app isn't compatible with your device, then you'll need to sideload the app.
First up, head into your gadget's settings and find the option to allow the installation of apps from sources other than Google Play (under 'Security' on the Nexus 7). | |
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Now, you just need to find the APK file. We can't provide one for legal reasons - so just search Google for "Xbox SmartGlass APK". You'll find it, Sherlock.
Once you've found it, download and install. | |
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On your Xbox 360, make sure your console is updated to the latest firmware and logged on to Xbox Live.
SmartGlass functionality should be on by default, but if you disabled it at some point in the past, you can just go to 'Settings', 'System', 'Console Settings', 'Remote Devices'. On this page, make sure the 'Xbox SmartGlass Apps' option is set to 'on'. | |
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Back to your Android now. Sign in to the SmartGlass app with the same Xbox Live account as the one currently on your Xbox 360. You can watch the Getting Started videos, or just hit 'Start' to get straight in.
If you aren't automatically connected, hit the button that says 'Connect to your Xbox 360'. Boom, you're in. | |
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'What can I actually do with SmartGlass?' I hear you ask.
Well, if you hit 'Remote', you can navigate the tiled interface of your Xbox 360 with taps and swipes, which is nice. You can also load stuff, use Internet Explorer, or search for content with Bing.
You'll also get guides when watching video or listening to music, and you can get some extra info about, and control over, games like Dance Central 3, Forza Horizon, and Home Run Stars.
More SmartGlass-enabled content is coming, Microsoft says. | |
Mark Brown
Mark Brown spent several years slaving away at the Steel Media furnace, finally serving as editor at large of Pocket Gamer before moving on to doing some sort of youtube thing.