App reviews: Xbox Smart Glass, Angry Birds Star Wars

XBox Smart Glass

Microsoft recently updated its Xbox Live app with a host of new features — and a new name: Xbox Smart Glass. This app lets users control limited parts of the Xbox console through their smartphone or tablet. The app, announced over the summer, essentially lets you turn your smartphone or tablet into an Xbox remote control. Users can navigate through menus, check in with Xbox friends and even use a mobile device’s keyboard for inputs. The ability to type with the keyboard is a particularly good feature since you won’t have to spend time fiddling with controller joysticks to enter a username and password. Microsoft has promised more features for the app in the future, including the ability to use it as a supplementary screen while watching movies and playing games. Free, for iOS devices, Android smartphones, Windows Phones and Microsoft tablets and PCs.

Angry Birds Star Wars

Rovio went to a galaxy far, far away for inspiration for its latest Angry Birds title. As part of a deal with the recently-sold Lucasfilm, the company has taken the Angry Birds into the Star Wars universe, giving the birds Rebel Alliance personalities you’ll recognize -- including the droids! -- as they take on the evil Sith piggies. The first level of the game starts you off at Tatooine, complete with twin suns, and the references continue to fly fast and thick from there. The game has levels with and without gravity, pulling in game mechanics from Angry Birds and Angry Birds Space. The game is good fun, and the Leia hairdo surprisingly doesn’t affect any of the birds’ aerodynamics. 99 cents, for iOS and Android devices.