E3: What Microsoft Said (Or Didn't)

While everyone was expecting a  big Microsoft reveal at E3 2012, even though Microsoft said there wouldn’t be one… well, there wasn’t one. It seems that the giant software and hardware manufacturer stuck to their guns, and didn’t announce a new console (yet).

What they did do, though, is punt the idea of the Xbox as an entertainment hub, rather than just a video game console (like anyone needs more entertainment that video games, right?).

Most of what can be found in press releases is what every Xbox fan already knows, but there are a few things that will be new to the world of Xbox gaming, some of them made possible with the release of Windows 8 later this year.

One of those things is Xbox SmartGlass, a system that will combine functionality between an Xbox 360 and a touch-capable PC (or device) running Windows 8. Here’s what the press release says about it:

“Use your Windows 8-based devices as a second screen with your Xbox 360 for an enhanced game and entertainment experience. Control and interact with your favorite TV shows, movies, music and games by simple flicks, gestures, and pinch and zoom. Start watching on one of your devices and flick it to your TV to keep watching on the big screen. Xbox SmartGlass helps you easily discover more things to do by showing new activities related to what you’re already watching or playing on TV. And now play Xbox 360 games in a new way when you add a phone or tablet as a screen just for you. Xbox SmartGlass will be available on Windows 8-based PCs and devices, as well as other platforms.”

It seems to be an answer to Nintendo’s Wii U, with its twin screen ideas already announced quite some time ago. Time will tell.

Also something that will be available later this year will be Internet Explorer for Xbox, which will allow the user to use voice and gestures (with a Kinect system, o course) to search and navigate the internet. It’s also not really something unexpected. In fact, it seems to have taken longer than it should have to be announced.

So no earth-shattering, bank-balance threatening announcements from Microsoft, with regards to their gaming console. But there are still a couple of E3 days left…