Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has unveiled details of a free Xbox Companion app available for Windows Phone users to download from tomorrow December 6. The app is being offered to accompany the big changes being made to the Xbox 360 Dashboard that also go live tomorrow.

Speaking on his blog, the Xbox LIVE luminary said "the free Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone will let you find, learn more about and control content from popular entertainment services on Xbox LIVE," before going on to explain the key features in a little more detail.

Using a Windows phone it will be possible to search the unified Xbox catalogue for films, TV shows, music, games and apps as well as browsing Zune video content. The app will also make it possible to "learn more details about the movie, TV show, music or game that is playing on your console," Hryb explained. "You can also get friend activity (friends online, friends with beacons, friends who have recently played), achievements and related items."

In addition, the app will turn the Windows phone into a remote control for a connected Xbox console meaning you'll be able to "play, pause, fw, rw the playing video or music on the connected Xbox, initiate media purchase and navigate your Xbox console with Windows Phone using the Xbox Companion."

Posted: Dec 05, 2011 2:27 pm

Source: http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1213956p1.html