Xbox

The gaming PC and the living room game console have never been close friends. So PC gamers play their PC games, console gamers play their console games, and never the twain shall meet.

Microsoft has started to blur the lines between console games and Windows games, but it's still got a long ways to go.

Without saying much of anything, Microsoft has hinted that its next Xbox will break cover at the E3 trade show in June.

With the next generation of its Xbox gaming console, Microsoft may be thinking small and trying to muscle into the set-top box TV business with a new Xbox Mini, expected 2013.

Microsoft's next Xbox console will have all sorts of bells and whistles, including Blu-ray, broadcast DVR, and—eventually—augmented-reality glasses, according to one report.

Microsoft gave developers a peek inside Xbox SmartGlass during a Friday morning session at its 2012 Build Conference, the company's annual developer event. SmartGlass is a free Windows 8 Store app that gives smartphone and Windows 8 tablet users enhanced "second screen" experiences with certain Xbox 360 applications, including games and streaming media services.

Microsoft app that launches on Oct. 26 will integrate media content across devices.

Zune Pass features, including Mixview playback and channel playlists will be gone after tomorrow but streaming and downloading remain on.

Android-wielding Xbox fans, rejoice! Microsoft debuted a version of its My Xbox Live app for the platform Wednesday. Also released: A significant upgrade to the iOS version of the app.

Microsoft's Xbox SmartGlass app is the latest product in the software giant's longstanding goal to unify all the devices in your home network to share content and offer supporting features. Xbox SmartGlass, introduced during Microsoft E3 press event, lets you transfer videos between devices, control Xbox video games, view DVD-style bonus content, and navigate the Web using Internet Explorer on the Xbox (also coming later this year). Xbox SmartGlass will be available for Windows 8 PCs, Windows Phones, and other major platforms including iOS and Android.

Microsoft is hoping to create an immersive experience across multiple devices where users can consume different, complementary content on each platform with new software called Xbox SmartGlass, unveiled at the E3 entertainment expo.