Microsoft at E3 2012: Xbox beyond the console (pictures)

Microsoft took the spotlight this morning at E3 with what by most accounts was considered an underwhelming media event. The company unveiled no new hardware, and only a few new games. It did, however, impress with a dramatic preview of Halo 4 (shown here) and the unveiling of its SmartGlass application, designed to let users play all kinds of media coming from mobile devices like phones and tablets (and Windows computers) on their TVs, via the Xbox 360.

Click on for more images from the event.

Don Mattrick, Microsoft's president of interactive entertainment, leads off the event.

This Splinter Cell is "enhanced by Kinect voice recognition," which allows a soldier climbing a wall to summon a guard he can't see. Splinter Cell: Blacklists is scheduled to begin shipping in spring 2013.

FIFA13 with enhanced Kinect voice recognition will be available around the world this fall.

Next it was time to show off Kinect integration for Madden.

Who better to show off Kinect integration for Madden then four-time Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana?

"From Halo 4 to Fable: The Journey [shown here], this will be the biggest year for Xbox," says Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer.

Yusuf Mehdi, head of Xbox marketing, showing off voice recognition in Xbox Live search. It's designed to work in multiple languages. He demonstrates in Spanish.

Microsoft will double the number of entertainment options available through Xbox Live, all voice activated, by next year, says Medhi.

Among its new sports offerings, Microsoft says that it will now offer ESPN, access to NBA games, and some hockey programs.

Microsoft will soon offer full access to ESPN programming across many of its channels, including ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, and ESPN U. The programming will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and include ESPN's popular shows, including Sportscenter.

Aside from ESPN, Microsoft says that its offering will also come with access to National Basketball Association games -- about 2,400 -- and more than 40 NHL games per week.

Microsoft outlines its plans "to deliver the music service we've always dreamed of building." Xbox Music will offer more than 30 million tracks to Xbox 360 and Windows 8 PCs, tablets, and phones. "Your music, your way," the company says.

A teaser comes for the "future of fitness."

Microsoft has inked a deal with Nike for a new service called "Nike+ Kinect Training for Xbox." The so-called fitness system ties into the user's Fuelband monitoring device and a smartphone app, and of course, will work with Microsoft's motion-gaming peripheral.

Microsoft shows off a new multiscreen entertainment platform called SmartGlass. The platform allows users to play video and other media from their mobile devices on their big-screen television, thanks to the Xbox 360. In addition, it acts as a mobile companion to enhance game play.

The new SmartGlass will work on Windows, Windows Phone, and the Xbox 360. In addition, it will support Android and iOS. The feature is also designed to let users enjoy entertainment on a single product and then send that over to their Xbox to pick up where they left off.

To add more value, tablets and smartphones will act as a companion, allowing users to see more information about the program being watched on their Xbox, thus creating a "multiscreen" experience.

"We can finally bring you one of your most requested features," Microsoft says, adding that Internet Explorer is coming to Xbox.

And SmartGlass is coming to Windows 8.

Microsoft waited until the end of the press conference to announce South Park: The Stick of Truth, coming out in March 2013.

"South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone take the stage.

Microsoft moves on to Dance Central 3, with Usher touting it and doing a live dance routine.

Usher lights up the stage.

Call of Duty Black Ops II closes the event with big explosions and carnage.