The introduction of the new Xbox Companion app which integrates Windows Phone 7 with Xbox now makes it possible for users to remotely control their Xbox consoles wherever they are.  This is course presuming that Marketplace and Xbox Live is available in the user’s region or location.  Marketplace is the virtual store of Microsoft for apps, games, music, movies, podcasts, and TV shows. 

The new app allows users to browse the Marketplace for their preferred media, view friends activity, launch movies and music, search for information, control playback, and download games and play.  Players will be able to keep track of their Xbox scores and rack up their achievements while being able to play with friends.

It is made available for free to Windows phone customers through the Marketplace.    Players will just need to sign with an existing Xbox LIVE account or set up one in order to play.  Setting up the account is also made available for free.  The phone screen should display the gamer tag, score, and avatar once the account has been set up.  Users can perform just about anything offered through the app although access to some exclusive content plus the ability to play online with friends requires the purchase of a gold Xbox LIVE subscription.

This new offering can propel increased interest for the Windows phone because of the obvious advantage offered to Xbox users.  It should be noted that although the Xbox LIVE application was made available to Apple iOS mobile operating system, it does not actually offer actual gaming experience and merely enables iPhone and iPad users to track and compare their Xbox achievements.  This then leaves the Windows phone as the only phone with built-in Xbox LIVE.

By now, we know that the year 2012 has at least two positive developments for Kinect gaming.  First is the Disney/Pixar game aptly called “Kinect Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure” and the second is a yet-untitled Kinect game to be created by Blind Wink, the media studio of Gore Verbinski, the franchise director of the Pirates of the Caribbean.  Though probably not similar in theme, both are expected to bring the excitement of the movie world or a semblance of it with them. 

Kinect Rush will bank on the popularity and familiarity of five Pixar films including “Toy Story”, “Cars”, “Up”, “Ratatouille”, and “The Incredibles”.  The game will feature time-based challenges minus controller use as players navigate through familiar scenes of the films mentioned while taking control of their favorite cartoon characters.  It is scheduled to be released on March 2012 with an MSRP of $ 49.99.

The Verbinski-produced game is expected to hit the market in late 2012.  There are no clues released yet as to what kind of game it would be although Blind Wink promises to use Microsoft’s various platforms to come up with a game venturing into new territory with respect to gaming features.  This effort hopes to widen even more the audience reach of interactive entertainment. 

Microsoft is actively promoting the Kinect platform to major industry players as a way of transforming the business through its use in the work place.  By combining a revolutionary sensor and software, Microsoft was able to reinvent gaming and entertainment.  This time it will prove that it can work its magic to reinvent business and everything else that needs it.