Playing with Xbox Companion Application

The Windows Ecosystem just keeps getting better and better. This apps works incredible well with the updated Xbox Dashboard which gets the console user interface inline with the Metro Style, which is already implemented in Windows Phone and will be the way to go for Windows 8 applications.

After updating my console, I downloaded and installed the highly expected Xbox Companion Windows Phone Application (you can download it here).

The Windows Phone application allows you to control your Xbox with your phone.

After downloading and installing the application on your phone, you synchronize it with your Xbox console and then you will be able to use it to navigate your content with your phone.

                                           

The configuration process is easy and quick. You need to enable the companion app on your Xbox first, and then run the app on your phone. The console will detect the app and will configure all the settings. Once that is done, you are ready to go.

The app has two basic modes: Content and Remote. The ”Content Mode” displays links and lists of your favourite content so you can get to it just with a couple of taps on your phone. This includes games, videos, and apps. The “Remote Mode” displays an Xbox remote like interface that you can use to navigate your Xbox interface as you will do with a traditional remote.

                            

It works really well. The Windows Phone app is responsive, easy to use and quick and the synchronization between the two platforms is neat. The user interface looks cohesive between the two platforms. This is good because it makes it easier for users to learn how to use it. When Windows 8 is released and the Windows Marketplace is in place for native apps, the ecosystem will become complete.

Go ahead and check it out. It might become quite handy and keeps you from having to by yet another remote, which is a nice thing