Microsoft connects Xbox better to your phone: launches My Xbox LIVE app on iOS, Xbox Companion for WP7

Microsoft’s Xbox team has been hard at work updating the Xbox 360 dashboard recently, but that didn’t stop it from simultaneously working on two other apps - the My Xbox LIVE, finally bringing Xbox to iOS, and the Xbox Companion app for Windows Phone 7.

My Xbox LIVE centers around control of your Xbox profile with support for Xbox Live messaging. The app also gives you access to your community of friends and the achievement browser. What really impressed us, though, is the way the Metro UI-styled application fits into iOS without looking like it’s artificially stitched onto Apple’s platform. This is probably partly due to the immersive full screen interface, but is definitely something you’d notice.

The Xbox Companion for WP7 is much richer in functionality and that’s understandable as Microsoft wants to keep some of the flare for its own platform. Basically, the app turns your Windows Phone handset almost into another Xbox remote control allowing you to navigate in the dashboard and inside applications, launch games, control media playback, and search with Bing. The app works via Wi-Fi and cellular data, and if you have a solid connection the experience promises to be really smooth.

Both of the applications are available for free on the respective markets, so hit the download links below to test them out and let us know your thoughts about them in the comments section.

Download My Xbox LIVE on the App Store [iTunes link]

Download Xbox Companion on the Windows Marketplace [Marketplace link]

source: Major Nelson via AnandTech