EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SMART CLASS ON XBOX ONE
JUST HOW INTEGRAL IS MICROSOFT’S BRAND NEW SECOND SCREEN APP TO YOUR XBOX ONE EXPERIENCE
Things have come a long way since the second screen SmartGlass app was launched for Xbox 360. SmartGlass was released as a way to connect your smartphone or tablet with your Xbox, offering extended or supplementary experiences. On Xbox One, that process is even faster, more varied, and better integrated into the console. We’ll walk you through all the key information you need to make the most of this excellent supporting app on your device and direct you to all of the Xbox One games and apps that make use of it.
WHAT IS SMARTGLASS?
SmartGlass for Xbox One is an app available for Windows 8, iOS, and Android devices offering what’s known as a second-screen experience. The idea behind this is that while your Xbox One is displaying your game or movie on your TV screen, you can use a second device to give you additional information or controls. SmartGlass can be used as a navigation tool for certain apps, offer additional information while watching movies or playing games, or it can be used in more imaginative ways to expand the gaming experience beyond the TV screen.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To interact with your Xbox One, you simply need your device, whether it’s a smartphone or tablet, to be connected to the same WiFi network. When you choose to connect, simply select the device you want to use, and it is technologically tethered to your Xbox.
HOW CAN YOU USE SMARTGLASS?
1. ACHIEVEMENT TRACKING
Whether you’re at home or not, you can keep an eye on your achievements and game progress through the SmartGlass app. By selecting your profile image, rather than the Achievement app, you can check your progress across all of your games. This includes challenges, recently unlocked achievements, those still to come, and any game clips you may have recorded.
2. LAUNCH APPS
Xbox One makes it very easy to access every app, game, and service you want from anywhere. There’s Kinect for voice commands, the Home button for your full dashboard, or you can use SmartGlass. At any time, whatever you’re doing on Xbox One, you can bring up a different service by selecting it on SmartGlass and selecting Play on Xbox One. It will then load instantly on your console.
3. LAUNCH IN SNAP MODE
Rather than taking over your Xbox One, some apps can be snapped through SmartGlass. Skype, Xbox Video, and Xbox Music can run in the background while you’re doing something else. With SmartGlass, you can activate this with a couple of taps, perfect for taking a Skype call or finding helpful videos on Machinima.
- 7Review earns Amazon affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases.
4. FIND ADD-ONS
Another great feature is the ability to find downloadable content without accessing the full store. By selecting games you’ve been playing, you can see a list of potential add-ons. Choose one for more information through SmartGlass and then Open on Xbox One to launch the store directly to that page on your TV.
5. PIN GAMES AND APPS
Pinning apps, services, and games to your Pins page keeps your most important applications close at hand. You can edit and add those pins from anywhere with SmartGlass. Select any app or recently played game, and you’ll find the option to Pin or Unpin that app from your home page.
6. WATCH GAME CLIPS
A great extra for SmartGlass: you can watch your recently recorded clips or clips created by others from any Xbox One game. Use the search function to find a game, swipe to reveal more info, and check out recommended clips.
WHAT APPS USE SMARTGLASS?
1. YOUTUBE
A simple swipe for navigation and video controls once you start watching a video through the app.
2. MACHINIMA
Similar to YouTube, you can use swipe controls and control the video playback. An upcoming update will add second-screen video watching for mid-game tips.
3. BLU-RAY PLAYER
Use all the touch controls needed to navigate menus and control playback of any Blu-ray in your collection.
4. INTERNET EXPLORER
SmartGlass turns into a trackpad and keyboard when browsing the web, offering a super-smooth and responsive experience.
5. XBOX MUSIC
Beyond the usual playback controls, you can select details on any track you’re playing and choose what plays next.
WHAT GAMES USE SMARTGLASS?
DEAD RISING 3
One of the most exciting integrations of SmartGlass with a launch game, Dead Rising 3 offers exclusive missions through the app. You can access maps, set markers, accept calls from in-game characters, and complete additional missions.
BATTLEFIELD 4
Battlefield 4 gives you a full overhead map during multiplayer matches, allowing you to see the action without looking away from the game. Better yet, have a friend track the map and tell you what’s happening in real-time.
RYSE: SON OF ROME
The SmartGlass companion for Ryse mirrors your entire game menu, allowing you to track your progress, set up multiplayer, and compare stats with friends, all without pausing the game.
JUST DANCE 2014
Just Dance 2014 lets you use SmartGlass to control your playlist, adding and removing tracks without interrupting the game. You can also edit Autodance videos using SmartGlass.
WHAT’S STILL TO COME?
PROJECT SPARK
SmartGlass for Project Spark will mirror everything you can do in-game on your device, including world creation and gameplay designed for touch input.
16-PLAYER GAMES
You can connect up to 16 SmartGlass devices to your Xbox One at once, opening up possibilities for multiplayer games like poker, where players’ hands can be displayed on their devices.
Founded in July 2014, 7Review is a free audio resource for beginners, and we're dedicated to helping you create the ultimate movie-watching experience right at home. We pull insights from top audio magazines and trusted industry sources to bring you well-researched, reliable reviews and tips. Whether you're a home cinema pro or just starting out, we aim to give you the info you need to make the best choices for your setup.
