My Xbox Live, Microsoft's in-house app for iOS that allows Xbox 360 owners to view information remotely, has arrived on Android. The app now has remote capability, which has been untouched since Microsoft offered a Media Remote.

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The Android app was launched for versions 2.2. and above and lets users customize avatars, track achievements, send and receive messages from friends on Xbox Live, and edit profiles. Basically, the app has parity with the iOS version which launched earlier this year. Or did, until the iOS app's latest update.

Taking features from the Windows Phone app, My Xbox Live now supports remote Xbox 360 control. Users can connect the iPhone to the Xbox 360 to see the most recent activity, and browse for new content - something the previous version of the app didn't support.

Media controls are also in, so users can manage videos. The features are iPhone-only, and Microsoft hasn't said why, despite the app also being available on the iPod Touch and iPad. However all devices will receive more stable authentication and the iPad app will see high-resolution images to support the Retina display.

Microsoft surprisingly launched the app; the company has traditionally maintained exclusivity on its services. At E3 2012, the company showed a change in philosophy with the announcement of SmartGlass for non-Microsoft devices. Confining the app to Windows Phone and Windows 8 devices would have failed to recognize the volume of non-Microsoft Xbox 360 users.

The app still doesn't support playing Windows Phone games for Xbox Live, which may never arrive because there could be a conflict with Apple's App Store which has pushed the company into the gaming space. The Windows Phone app brings Xbox Live Arcade games, with achievement support.

My Xbox Live brings a heavy dose of Windows Phone to iOS, from the Metro styling to the transitions to the three function buttons at the bottom. It's a snapshot of the full Windows Phone experience, perhaps an attempt by Microsoft to lure people away.

My Xbox Live for iOS and Android is available now.

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