Or as I like to call it “Xbox SmartGlass: eat this WiiU” has just been announced at E3 today. SmartGlass is not only taking the idea behind the WiiU but may also steal the WiiU’s Thunder.
What exactly is SmartGlass? To put it bluntly, its an app that you can download on your Tablet or Smartphone to use as an extra screen while using the Xbox. This extra screen could be used for more information while watching a tv show or maybe showing a map of the current level you are on while playing a game. Since this is a gaming blog and not so much a tech blog lets look at the gaming side more.
Remember the VMU? (Just more evidence that the Dreamcast was a head of its time) The VMU would show some basic information to you regarding your current game (the best example I can remember is it would show your health in Resident Evil: Code Veronica) Well imagine this, but on a full HD display allowing you to have quick glances at information being shown on your tablet/smartphone. Shoot this could also open up potential to different multiplayer aspects to the game, give your friend/wife/dog/inflatable companion the tablet and let them act as a navigator, radar look out, spotter, or whatever.
So far the information on SmartGlass is very basic, just still screens / information based data, but the idea is there. The big question of course is cost because if MS thinks Im going to play +$20 for basic information on my Tablet they can think again, however $20 for me to use it as an interactive tool…maybe.
Regardless If Xbox is able to make this a viable and profitable app, one thing is for sure, the WiiU may have more problems before its even released.
I’m way more fond of this idea than the WiiU controller. This way you can use some pre-existing hardware rather than buying another controller.
Depending on all it can do it is obviously a better option. $250 for a second proprietary controller or $250 for a tablet that can also connect to games….yeah. Obviously I dont know the prices of stuff to come but this is a clear sign that WiiU may be sunk already IMHO.
(At least with the video controller, because lets face it Nintendo will sell just because of all the Zelda/Mario diehards, not that there is anything wrong with that)
I’ve heard that the WiiU is hard to develop for, and this seems like a much easier way to do the same thing with platforms they already know how to develop for. Thus, I see this being much more widespread.
I think more and more that its a devs job just to bitch about a new system being hard to develop for. “oh man its a whole new system? Well this is just too hard :/”
However I do agree with your statement on a cost standpoint alone.
Not everything can be easy. People used to bitch about having to write programs for 64bit OS’s because it was something new to learn too. You wanna know how people grow and ideas blossom? CHALLENGE!!!!! The best people are the ones that stand up in the face of a challenge and don’t just crumble in to a heap. Valve complained about how hard it was to write for the PS3 at first and once they actually started learning they found that they could make things look even better once they took the time to look for longer than half a day.