Xbox 360 SmartGlass launching Oct. 26 with Windows 8

Xbox SmartGlass, the app set which will turn mobile phones or tablets into a touch screen for Xbox 360 content, will be available October 26 on Windows 8 devices. Microsoft's Larry Hryb announced on his Major Nelson blog when and where users can expect SmartGlass to show up, as well as what to expect as the rollout of the latest Xbox dashboard update completes.

SmartGlass will start with a free app for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, and Windows 8 tablets and PCs. Once the app (actually an updated and renamed version of the old My Xbox Live app) is installed, the device can interact with the user's Xbox 360 and serve as a touch-sensitive second screen for games and other media.

Windows 8 users will get a first crack at the new system, while a Microsoft rep told Engadget an update will arrive for iOS, Android and Windows Phone 7.5 "soon" after launch. Those systems will have slightly more limited functionality, like not being able to send websites viewed on mobile devices over to the Xbox 360's Internet Explorer.

The first wave of games-and-game-accessories getting support over the next few months will include Ascend, Dance Central 3, Forza Horizon, and Halo Waypoint. Non-gaming apps to receive SmartGlass support will include ESPN, NBA Game Time, UFC, Elections 2012, and HBO GO.

Meanwhile, the dashboard update (which you may already have installed depending on where you fall in the rollout) will bring Internet Explorer, a refreshed UI, Xbox Video, and will nix the old Twitter and Facebook apps.