Xbox One SmartGlass beta app out now, with OneGuide TV control
The beta app has arrived for Android, Windows 8 and Windows Phone, letting anyone try the recently-announced SmartGlass features.
Microsoft recently announced a series of new features for the Xbox One, including the power to browse Microsoft's 'OneGuide' TV planner from your smartphone or tablet. While Microsoft spoke of a select number of Xbox One users getting early access to the new features, it seems that anyone with an Android, Windows 8 or Windows Phone device can now download the SmartGlass beta app, and try it for themselves.
Microsoft explains that the apps -- available on Google Play, the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store are still a little rough around the edges. "It may not operate properly or work the way a final version of the software will." Microsoft says. "We may change it for the final, commercial version. We also may not release a commercial version."
Using the app, you can favourite TV channels, navigate to recently-viewed channels and tap the smiley-face icon to send feedback. The new SmartGlass features are expected to become widely available later this year.
The beta app appears to be available internationally, but the Xbox One's OneGuide TV browsing is currently only available in the US. As it announced the most recent new SmartGlass features, Microsoft also promised that OneGuide would be heading to the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. There's no precise date yet, however.
Have you tried the beta app? What do you think of the Xbox One? Let me know in the comments.