History
Xbox 360 SmartGlass was originally announced at E3 2012, for Windows 8, Android and iOS. Microsoft demonstrated use cases for the new app within both games and entertainment, including a minimap for Ascend: New Gods, a second screen experience for School of Rock with supplemental content, and Game of Thrones (with interactive maps and family tree diagrams).[8] With the release of Xbox One in November 2013, Microsoft released an accompanying Xbox One SmartGlass app for Android, iOS, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone, which contained more extensive functionality for controlling the console.[9][10][11]
Windows 10 introduced a revamped version of SmartGlass referred to simply as Xbox, which notably added a library display for PC games, and the ability to stream games from an Xbox One console on a local network.[12] On June 12, 2016, the mobile versions of the Xbox One Smartglass apps were updated for parity with the desktop version, and renamed "Xbox" as well.[13] Xbox 360 SmartGlass was not updated and was discontinued in May 2018.
The mobile apps were updated alongside the Xbox One's May 2019 software update, adding cross-platform status indicators to friends.[14] In May 2019, Microsoft also revamped the Xbox Game Bar feature of Windows 10 into a widget-based overlay, which features pop-up windows for features such as screen recording, managing audio inputs, viewing the Xbox Live friends list, and monitoring system components.[15]
On June 9, 2019, coinciding with Microsoft's E3 2019 press conference, Microsoft released a new Xbox app in beta exclusively for Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903), which has a redesigned interface, and serves as the client for Xbox Game Pass on PC.[16] In advance of the conference, Microsoft rebranded the existing Xbox app on Windows 10 as Xbox Console Companion.[17] The new Xbox app is pre-loaded software on Windows 11.[18][19]
Microsoft updated its Xbox mobile app on Android in November 2024, allowing U.S. users to purchase and play Xbox games directly on their devices. This follows a U.S. court ruling that prevents Google from requiring its Play Billing system, enhancing choice for developers. The update facilitates immediate streaming of purchased games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a browser-based Xbox mobile store, initially focusing on first-party games and later including deals and in-game items.[20]
