Microsoft’s SmartGlass promises to unite all screens in the house (including mobile devices) via the Xbox. Microsoft plans to turn the Xbox 360 into more than a games console/online media player, with a strategy clearly aimed at usurping Apple’s AirPlay strategy in the home.

Xbox SmartGlass is a Wi-Fi remote app that allows users to control both video and game content with tablets or smartphones, using the Xbox 360 console as a player. Shown at the recent E3, the app also acts as a second screen — showing extra video content related to the content on screen. (One interesting E3 demo uses HBO TV series Game of Thrones, with an interactive map on the tablet while the console plays an episode.)

The app will be available for both iDevices and Androids, as well as (obviously) Windows 8 tablets/laptops and Windows Phone.

According to Microsoft, more American customers are using the console to consume media through Xbox Live apps for services such as Netflix and Hulu than playing online video games, for which the console was originally designed.