In recent years, Microsoft’s been adding more and more media content to what’s available through the Xbox 360, positioning the console less as a video game system and more as a home entertainment hub. Its next venture to increase the 360′s flexibility and solidify its role as a media center looks to bring mobile devices into the mix, using your smartphone or tablet to run the company’s Xbox SmartGlass app.

Depending on the context of how you’re using it, SmartGlass will act as an additional display or an input device in its own right. When watching a TV show or a movie through your 360, SmartGlass might display related content, whether that’s information on characters, summaries of previous episodes, or maps to help you keep track of where the action’s taking place. You’ll even be able to stream content right to the tablet or phone itself.

Now that the 360 is getting its own version of Internet Explorer, SmartGlass will help you navigate sites as a portable touchscreen. Between that and Kinect-based voice control, Microsoft expects you to be able to surf the web with ease from the comfort of your couch.

For gaming, SmartGlass will offer an experience like we already see with the Halo Waypoint Atlas, giving you real-time info on the game and offering quick ways to modify game settings.

While Android, iOS, and Windows Phone will all be getting SmartGlass apps, it’s not clear just how much functionality may be available on all versions. We hope to learn more details before the system launches.