The big E3 video game convention is kicking off in LA. As Adam Balkin reports, Microsoft is announcing its plans to have all your mobile devices play nicely with its Xbox 360.

In its traditional role as the E3 party starter, Microsoft got a bit literal in its effort to ‘Usher’ in the next generation of video games. There were lots of first looks at hardcore games, casual games, but perhaps the most anticipated first look for Xbox 360 enthusiasts - the next iteration of its marquis, exclusive title. Halo 4 is set to hit shelves in early November.

Since its beginning, the Xbox 360 was designed to be more than just a gaming machine. Microsoft had always envisioned it as the entertainment hub of your living room, and now it's trying to become the entertainment hub of your life outside the living room, too, through a new feature called SmartGlass.

“With SmartGlass you can watch a show on your TV and your tablet will indulge you with related content. You can use your tablet to write a better play in Madden, you can control the web with your phone, and Xbox SmartGlass works with all the devices that you already own, the TV you already own, the phone you already own, and the tablet you already own,” said Marc Whitten, Microsoft Xbox Live.

Microsoft also unveiled among other things a new music service, Internet Explorer for the Xbox 360, and new multilingual support for its voice controlled Kinect sensor.