Xbox SmartGlass iOS app updated to better support iPhone 5

After updating it’s Xbox SmartGlass app for Android to better support 7-inch tablets, Microsoft has now issued an update for the iOS version of Xbox SmartGlass that brings proper support for the iPhone 5's 16:9 aspect ratio.

Apart from optimisations for the iPhone 5 and other bug fixes, not much has been added to the latest version of the app. This app is designed for both the iPhone and the iPad and it is 35.4 MB in size. To download, Xbox SmartGlass for your iOS device, click the link here.

Xbox SmartGlass now updated with optimization for the iPhone 5

Microsoft first released SmartGlass for iOS devices in November after it was released for Android in October. With Xbox SmartGlass, you can navigate your Xbox 360 with a swipe and a tap, use a smartphone’s keyboard to type to the Xbox 360, and browse the Internet on the Xbox 360 with full keyboard and zooming. It is also possible to play, pause, fast forward, rewind, and stop videos and music on the console, and search the full Xbox catalogue of music, video, and games.

Microsoft claims that with this app, a user can enjoy rich, interactive experiences from select game and entertainment content creators, track and compare their achievements with Xbox friends, change the 3D avatar, message Xbox friends, and edit his or her Xbox profile. The description of the app on the Apple App Store reads, “Interact with your favorite TV shows, movies, music, sports, and games, and bring remote control to a whole new level. You can also connect with your Xbox friends, track and compare your achievements, and change up your 3D avatar.”

Xbox SmartGlass came to Android only after Microsoft released it for Windows Phone 7 devices. One of the major requirements for the app is that the device must run at least Android v4.0, and have a WVGA screen.

The biggest change the recent update of the SmartGlass Android app brought was support for 7-inch Androids, but there were a few noteworthy features as well. Users reported that the app crashed while trying to access the settings, and Microsoft fixed this issue in this update. Apart from this, the software giant issued fixes for crashes that occured whenever a user visited the achievement screen, apart from fixes for other minor bugs.

SmartGlass was showcased earlier this year during E3 2012, alongside Xbox Music. Xbox Music – Microsoft’s newest attempt to take on the likes of Spotify and iTunes – was launched earlier this month. This would be Microsoft’s second attempt at creating a music channel, the first being the not-very-successful Zune. This time, the company is focusing on integrating the service into as many of its devices as it can. While starting with the Xbox 360, the company plans to integrate the service into other devices that would be running Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 through its SkyDrive cloud service.