Companion App's To Convert Windows Phone Into XBOX Media Controller

With Microsoft taking a dig @ Google Tv,when it announced that it had brokered a stupendous deal with some of the pioneers in Cable TV & Internet Streaming services which would enable the XBOX console to perform as a Cable device as well as a downloader/streaming device.Today it announced that a companion  App on the Windows Mobile will transform it into a Media controller for the XBOX console.The new App will also feature a search feature based on Microsot's Bing where the user can browse for the programs/Streaming media through XBOX Live.

                                                                              This App also allows users to find out features regarding the media content just like IMDB.Users will find a plethora of info's with a simple tap on any name or an object.After the reading,you can tap to select the media & gives control back to the phone.Users now can also control video playback/streaming using the Windows Phone just like in case of Blue-ray devices.The switching between the interfaces are as easy as pie.With no release date currently available,everyone has got their hands up to try this new Live Feature

                                                                                                                                         

XBOX 360 Dashboard Update To Feature 50 New Cable TV & Web Streaming Features

Microsoft has probably struck gold this time.Aimed directly @ Google TV,Microsoft has revealed that it has entered into an agreement with a huge list of media partners for the XBOX live which would enable the XBOX console to be a set-top box utility and also a super fast Broadband streaming/download platform,features not available with Google TV.Some big TV companies  appear in this elite list of 50 featuring Comcast & Verizon & the Web partners includes the likes of sites ranging from Youtube to HBO Go,Comcast Xfinity & Verizon's FIOS and many more.

 The Microsoft's dedicated partner list is shown below.As you can see some of them need full cable subscription while others don't.The biggest feature will be the Search menu running on Microsoft's Bing where you will be able to search for a particular show & Microsoft's app will find it for you.Kinect Users will have voice support as well.It is rumored that the entire XBOX is going to get a Windows-8 like face lift although it is yet to be made available:

Microsoft's Entertainment Partners:Based on country  & availability

·         ABC iView – Australia

·         AlloCiné – France, Germany, Spain, U.K.

·         Antena 3 – Spain

·         Astral Media’s Disney XD – Canada

·         AT&T** – U.S.

·         BBC – U.K.

·         blinkbox – U.K.

·         Bravo – U.S.

·         BSkyB** – U.K.

·         Canal+* – France, Spain

·         Channel 4 – U.K.

·         Channel 5 – U.K.

·         CinemaNow (Best Buy) – U.S.

·         Comcast – U.S.

·         Crackle – Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S.

·         Dailymotion – Available in 32 markets

·         EPIX – U.S.

·         ESPN** – U.S.

·         Facebook** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets

·         FOXTEL** – Australia

·         GolTV – Spain

·         HBO GO – U.S.

·         Hulu – Japan

·         Hulu Plus**– U.S.

·         iHeartRadio (Clear Channel) – U.S.

·         Last.fm**– U.K., U.S.

·         LOVEFiLM – Germany, U.K.

·         Manga Entertainment – U.S.

·         Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports – Canada

·         Mediaset – Italy

·         MSN with MSNBC.com – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, U.K.

·         MUZU.TV – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K.

·         Netflix**– Canada, U.S.

·         Rogers On Demand – Canada

·         RTVE – Spain

·         SBS On Demand – Australia

·         Syfy – U.S.

·         Telefonica – Spain

·         Televisa – Mexico

·         “The Today Show” – U.S.

·         TELUS** – Canada

·         TMZ – U.S.

·         Twitter** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets

·         UFC – Canada, U.S.

·         Verizon – U.S.

·         VEVO – Canada, U.K., U.S.

·         VimpelCom** – Russia

·         Vodafone Portugal** – Portugal

·         YouTube – Available in 22 markets

·         ZDF – Germany

·         Zune**– Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.                                                                     The ones Highlighted are the  Internet streaming services.While it appears that more importance is given to Cable TV services which can be a bit expensive,but will definitely give the users a better experience.Its sad to note that Amazon's instant Video,Pandora & some other premier Internet streaming services cut out of the list,I am waiting for the day when HBO & ESPN wont charge me $ 100 a piece.