Microsoft is rebranding its entertainment services to the Xbox name used for its gaming console. As part of the launch of Windows 8 computers and smartphones, the company announced the new branding Xbox Music, Xbox Video and Xbox Games for its entertainment services, as well as the new app Xbox SmartGlass, which supports content streaming from the Xbox console to phones, computers and other devices. The name change coincides with the earlier announced update of the Xbox 360 service, to introduce features such as the Internet Explorer web broswer, a new music service and Kinect and Bing voice search on the games console. The update will roll out from 22 October, and the SmartGlass app will be available from 26 October, the same date the first Windows 8 device go on sale. SmartGlass, available for Windows, iOS and Android devices, allows users to control the Xbox console and content on the TV screen from their phone or tablet, as well as continue viewing content from the mobile device on the TV screen and access additional content such as film or sports details and social media. Microsoft is also introducing a new offer for Xbox 360 called Entertainment for All. With this the game console costs just USD 99 with a two-year subscription to the Xbox Live service. The offer is available initially from US retailers and the Microsoft Store. In the coming months, the company plans to expand Xbox to 222 countries, from the current 35.
