A couple years back, Microsoft released a Bluetooth-compatible version of its Xbox One controller, further cementing the company's game controller dominance. But when it came to using one with an Android device, there was a big catch: button mapping was broken compared to other controllers. According to a recent change on Google's bug tracker, that problem has been resolved in Android P.
Read MoreMicrosoft launches Xbox Game Pass app on Android
For the last year or so, Microsoft has offered Xbox owners a subscription option called Xbox Game Pass. It comes with unlimited access to more than 100 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games, as well as some other perks. Now, you can manage your Game Pass account and content from the comfort of your Android phone by downloading the new Game Pass app in the Play Store.
Read MoreInBrief
Minecraft's massive 'Better Together Update' is out on mobile, Xbox One, and Windows 10
Minecraft could be considered this generation's Doom - it runs on everything. Beyond the original Java-based game, there are versions for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, New 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, PS Vita, iOS, Android, Windows 10, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. This is made even more confusing by some editions having different features. Minecraft's 'Better Together Update' is the first step in addressing the feature fragmentation and implementing cross-play support.
Read MoreMicrosoft releases Project Rome SDK for Android, for controling nearby Windows devices
One of the many announcements at Microsoft's Windows Developer Day was "Project Rome," a way for Universal Windows Platform applications (apps from the Windows Store) to have cross-device services. In addition to supporting all the various Windows 10 platforms (PC, Windows Mobile, Xbox, etc), Microsoft has also released the Project Rome SDK for Android.
Read MorePSA: The new Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controller works with Android... but not very well
The Xbox 360 controller has been the de facto standard for years (NVIDIA copied it almost exactly for the SHIELD line), and the Xbox One has a refined and streamlined version of that design. So when Microsoft announced that a shiny new revision of the Xbox One controller would not only let you choose your colors and engraving Moto Maker-style, but also include a Bluetooth connection for easy dongle-free pairing with PCs, I couldn't help but get excited. Might Android gamers finally get access to the best controller around without any USB frippery or root-enabled work-arounds?
Read MoreMinecraft: Pocket Edition gets a big update for E3, including Xbox cross-platform play, Realms servers, and more
Microsoft is the owner of Mojang, developer of the ultra-popular Minecraft sandbox building game. And at the E3 video game conference, they want everyone to know it. In between the usual slew of console exclusives and hype about the future, the company dedicated a little time to Minecraft exclusively. At least some of the new additions for Minecraft were released immediately for the Android version, most notably access to Realms servers and cross-platform play with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
Read More
Xbox Smartglass App Now On Par With Windows 10 Xbox App, Renamed 'Xbox'
The Xbox Smartglass app has been available on Android for a while, letting users control the Xbox's media functions, such as play, pause, and menu navigation, directly through the app. Today, at Microsoft's E3 press conference, the app is getting a big update, being renamed to just 'Xbox' and with features comparable to the equivalent on Windows 10. With the app, you can use Xbox Live, buy games, or watch game content shared by other users, making it the ultimate companion to the Microsoft-made box sitting near your TV.
WHAT'S NEW
- Updated home – The Activity Feed is the home of the Xbox app
- Added Trending content – Find out what's popular on Xbox Live
- Facebook friend finder – Add your Facebook friends who are also on Xbox
- Contact list friend finder – Use your phones contact list to add friends to Xbox Live
- Real name sharing – Be able to share your real name with your friends
- Game hubs – Game Hubs now added to Xbox app
- Updated profiles – Redesigned user profiles in Xbox app
The banner features of the update are mostly to do with Xbox Live, Microsoft's online gaming network.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
The Latest Xbox One SmartGlass Beta (3.16) Tweaks The User Interface And Adds A Few More Options
Microsoft's SmartGlass app is a smartphone-based manager for the Xbox One, and it gets some surprisingly frequent love from the developers for a product intended for a direct Google competitor. The latest beta version is a significant bump, 2.4 to 3.16, though the changes aren't immediately obvious beyond a few cosmetic adjustments. The new user interface moves quite a few elements around, and if it isn't completely "material" then at least Microsoft is trying to make it look like an Android app instead of a tiny Xbox window.
Read MoreOddworld: Munch's Oddysee Brings Its Uniquely Weird 3D Platforming To Android For $5
Oddworld is a series of games in a variety of genres, all united by the core element of... well, oddness. If you played Stranger's Wrath, the last Oddworld port to reach Android about a year ago, you know what I mean: that game was a third-person action title in which you shot tiny adorably creatures out of a double-barrel crossbow. Munch's Oddysee is an even older game, originally released on the Xbox (the one that isn't the One) back in 2001. It's a sequel to Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exodus, it's the first in the series to offer true 3D gameplay, and now it's on Android.
Read MoreLatest Deals
-
3
Midweek deals: Save on smart TVs, Bluetooth earbuds, Anker's connected bathroom scale, and more
-
0
34 temporarily free and 49 on-sale apps and games for Wednesday
-
3
Save $30 on UE's Megaboom 3 and Boom 3 Bluetooth speakers
-
10
Today only: 512GB dual-SIM Samsung Galaxy Note9 is $750 ($500 off) on B&H
-
381
[Update x2: Also on Fi] Google drops Pixel 3 prices even further, both models now $200 off
-
3
Latest Poll
Loading ...Recent Reviews
-
25
The Sony Xperia 10 is really long and really boring
-
94
The Nokia 9 PureView is a good phone ruined by serious problems
-
156
Galaxy S10e review: The best Android phone for the money - and for most people
-
22
My home never smelled nicer, but Moodo is still a luxury smart fragrance diffuser
-
19
TP-Link's Smart Outdoor Plug is perfect for porches, not for yards
-
25
Latest Roundups
-
3
[Bonus Round] Golf Peaks, Yume Nikki, Shieldwall Chronicles: Swords of the North, R.B.I. Baseball 19, Adrestia - Magic Battles, and Emoji Mine
-
9
22 best new Android games released this week including Stardew Valley, Returner Zhero - Final Cut, and Where's Om Nom?
-
14
40 new and notable Wear OS apps and watch faces from the last 6 months (9/13/18 - 3/16/19)
-
0
[Bonus Round] Linn: Path of Orchards Premium, GRIT Platform Runner, Tricky Taps, Dad Jokes Duel, Endless Lake, and Pa Pa Land: Head Escape
-
5
22 best new Android games released this week including This War of Mine: Stories, RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic, and Tick Tock: A Tale for Two
-
3
Recent Apps and Games
-
6
Chrome gets swipe gestures to navigate back or forward
-
1
Google Play Store gets a dedicated tab for gaming events
-
6
You can listen to Google Podcasts on the web with a simple URL edit
-
3
Google Duo's colorful Holi video effects are live
-
11
[Update: Now on Android TV] There are two official NBC Sports apps on the Play Store, for some reason
-
6
Blast from the Past
-
205
1 Year Ago Today
[Update: Fix in coming weeks] Android 8.1 update for 2016 Pixel XL causes a potentially dangerous overcurrent charging bug
-
176
2 Years Ago Today
Google announces Android O: Focus on power management, notifications, and more
-
37
3 Years Ago Today
[Update: Play Store Downloads Too] Android N Feature Spotlight: The Download Manager's Notification Gets A Quickly Accessible Cancel Button
-
42
4 Years Ago Today
Some Users Are Seeing Calendar Agenda Cards And Combined Travel Cards In Google Now
-
41
5 Years Ago Today
Tell Google Search To 'Play Some Music' To Instantly Launch I'm Feeling Lucky Radio
-
3
6 Years Ago Today
Bell, Rogers, And TELUS Pushing Jelly Bean 4.1.2 Update To LG Optimus G; SaskTel Trailing Close Behind
-
2
7 Years Ago Today
[Hands On] ErnCon Successfully Combines Equal Parts Asteroids, Bullet Hell, And Multi-Player Action
-
14
8 Years Ago Today
Apple Sues Amazon Over Use Of 'App Store' Name
-
205
