Convergence. Every tablet, smartphone, PC, laptop, or "phablet" we own is a step towards a completely interconnected future, a trajectory that shows no sign of changing. The Xbox 360 is no different.
Microsoft's mission to clamp down control of consumers living rooms was rallied today by the launch of a new SkyDrive app for the company's console, granting users access to a cloud based server from the comfort of their couch.
The app, which can be controlled with voice and gesture commands using the Kinect sensor, is now directly tied to Windows Phones as well. Using the "snap and see" feature, pictures taken with smartphones sporting Microsoft's operating system will immediately appear on the TV, via the cloud.
Another key feature is "party slide show," which automatically cycles through photos or videos on the television for background noise.
Larry Hyrb, Xbox Live's Director of Programming, details several other apps releasing today in his official blog.
- Maxim (United States)
- ARTE (Germany, France)
- CinemaNow (Expanding to Canada)
- CNET (United States, Canada)
- Karaoke (All LIVE regions, excluding Japan and United Arab Emirates)
- Napster (Germany, United Kingdom)
- SPORT1 (Austria, Germany)
- VEVO (Expanding to Spain, Italy & France)
- Zattoo (Germany)
Expect Microsoft to continue on its path of media integration with its upcoming Xbox 360 successor, the "Xbox 720." No concrete details have been released as of yet, but expect a rush of announcements during E3 2013 next summer.
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