Xbox LIVE: There’s an app for that

Do you find that you’d like to be more sociable over Xbox LIVE, but it’s always such a pain dragging your Xbox 360 and HDTV around with you wherever you go?

That’s how I feel – but thanks to the good folks over at Microsoft, now there’s an app for that.

Literally appearing out of nowhere – no big hoo-haa, no parades and confetti – an official Xbox LIVE app has hit the Apple iTunes store – and it doesn’t cost a damn thing. The App is beautiful to look at and use – and if you’ve updated your Xbox dashboard, you’ll see how it fits into the picture.

Predictably, the app isn’t available in the South African iTunes Store, but I can’t stress this enough – stop even trying to use it, and get a US account.

Spotlight lets you access a whole bunch of added content

Here’s what the app does and gives you access to when you’re on the move.

Spotlight

The first thing the app will show access to on the home screen is Xbox LIVE’s Spotlight – which lets you browse and view videos (trailers, interviews and promos) and take part in polls, get tips and tricks and other Xbox-y stuff.

Social

The app is an amazingly useful way of keeping tabs on what’s going on with your LIVE account and your Xbox LIVE friends – letting you check and send messages, add friends, view profiles and work around with your account.

You can even head into the avatar editor and make changes to your little digital self.

Why yes, I do own a pet T-Rex. Tarryn has a Ticker. And now I have the jealousies.

Game Library

You can also have a look at your entire game library, which shows all the games you’ve played on your account as well as the achievements you’ve unlocked.

If you’re feeling a bit competitive, you can also compare your library with your friends, which will show your libraries head-to-head, and who’s the more dedicated (read: better) gamer.

Beacons

The beacons feature lets you put up an alert for your friends as to what you would like to do.

So say you want to play a bit of Assassin’s Creed Revelations Multiplayer – putting up a beacon will let your buddies know that you’re keen to play, and when one of them becomes available, the app lets you know, and away you go.

Only 30% of AssCreed achievements, Quinton? For shame.

What’s not in the app, however, is a way to add or spend Microsoft Points – there’s no marketplace whatsoever, not even for your avatar. It’s most likely to do with Apple’s stringent restrictions to in-app purchases – because even though it’s all to do with Xbox LIVE, it’s going through an Apple app.

Imagine for a second how awesome it would be if there was cross-platform access to select Arcade games, or the ability to use the iApp in conjunction with your 360, somehow. Hmmm? HMMM!?

‘Tis but a dream.

If Microsoft are aiming to extend the social aspect of Xbox LIVE, then this is probably the best thing they could have done – I’ve owned an Xbox for 5 years, and of the three messages I’ve ever sent – three of them I sent today.

Now if Sony would develop a PSN app, I think my journey to being a social gamer whore will be nearing completion.

If you’re an Xbox owner with an iDevice, then this is for you; get the app now.