Does SmartGlass (note spelling) make the Wii U controller irrelevant? No.

It doesn't because the Wii U controller is a purpose built device.

• SmartGlass is a free application that's available for any iOS, Android, Windows Phone, or Win8 device.
• SmartGlass offers developers the ability to generate code once, and have it usable on multiple devices, rather than develop an app for each platform.
• SmartGlass gives the Xbox an alternative display, alternative input device, and remote control of the Xbox.
• SmartGlass is the primary input method for IE on Xbox. IE on Xbox will utilize SmartGlass for input and navigation.
• SmartGlass will provide alternative display and interactive entertainment options for TV shows, by providing viewers with synchronized content based on where they are in the broadcast with either on-demand or live streams.
• SmartGlass will provide an alternative input method for gaming. What form gamers see that in is up to developers, however my guess is you'll most likely see that in multi-player family style games. For instance, imagine Battleship (no not the horrible movie but the classic game) where each player actually uses a SmartGlass enabled device for their side of the board, and the main TV screen displays where and when you've hit. Or a multi-player version of Uno where not only can you have multiple people across Xbox LIVE, but also multiple playing on a single console. Each SmartGlass display would have the players cards, but the TV screen would show the table and how many cards the other players have.

There are a lot of things SmartGlass enables on the Xbox. There are a lot of new experiences it will make possible. Regardless of what it does better, what the Wii U controller does better, or what the PS Vita and and will do for the PlayStation, it is Microsoft's answer to it. In some ways it is a better solution. In other ways it possesses short-comings.

Microsoft isn't billing it as being better than the Wii U controller, they are billing it as a means to alternative entertainment possibilities on the Xbox.

That being said, consider for just one moment the possibilities if SmartGlass proves successful with developers of both games as well as entertainment content. If Microsoft ever did develop an integrated display within a controller, then the content is already built for it. Microsoft doesn't have to do anything to make the technology a success, doesn't have to do anything to acclimate developers to it, it's there and it'll work. Be it on a Microsoft device or another device.

There are a good deal of mis-conceptions about SmartGlass.

SmartGlass is not A App. SmartGlass is an app platform. One of the apps is the Xbox Companion that is already available today on Windows Phone and Windows 8 Release Preview. Believe it has already been announced for iOS and Android.

The Xbox Live Companion app will be enhanced with new features (like taking control of IE Xbox). In addition, game and app developers can use the platform for their own apps. For instance Halo4, Dance Central 3, Ascend New Gods and the new Karoke game will have their own apps that can be downloaded to the individual devices. They will use the SmartGlass platform API to interact with the Xbox.

MS has said that the API is HTML5 friendly so MS is making it as easy as possible for app developers to implement apps across different platforms. MS will simply provide the API to do it.

MS has also stated that up to 4 devices can be connected to the Xbox at the same time.

Microsoft said during their own conference that Smartglass was for Android, iOS and Win7/8...

As for Nintendo copying it - what would the point of it be? It wouldn't offer any significant benefit, since they'd already have a tablet, and its obvious that in regards to how the WiiU operates that it may degrade performance (e.g. the citation of FPS dropping when a 2nd tablet is added).

Not really. But I like the idea I can use my tablet instead of going out and buying another gadget.... I hate getting nickle and dime.

Only if really needed, if the market starts really pretending this feature, obviously. I too don't see Nintendo doing such a thing easily, but if they so choose, the idea isn't totally new, so they should just dodge MS and Sony patents, and if the ones they own or licensed for Wii U aren't enough, they can simply file some new ones and/or license some other ones.

not really. nintendo fans care about the wii u. most xbox fans dont give a shit about this smartglass thing

No.

Who will even use this Smart Glass thing?
At least with the Wii U, you're guaranteed that most people will use the Wii U gamepad since it is included with the console.

Sure most people have a phone/tablet/pc but what if they don't? Kids come to mind here. Most kids receive a console before they do a PC and definitely before a phone.

That depends on how you want to look at it.  To the end user, SmartGlass is an app that you download from an app store.  That's it.  That's all they have to do.

If they have the app running, then the content being fed by the console will appear on the phone or tablet.  The end user will not have to download a specific app for each application/game that supports it.  In other words, SmartGlass is a push service, not a pull service. 

Ok, so this just crazy.

Anyone who tries to argue that generic tablet/phone inter-connectivity is within the same feature or benefit set as WiiU's gamepad is 100% crazy.

Did Move make Wiimotes irrelevant? Did Kinect (albeit not the same but motion based)?

There is a few major differences here.

1) Tablets and phones do NOT have the same controls. These devices don't have analog sticks and buttons, just touch interfaces. They could not in any feasible way replace or replicate the full feature set that the Gamepad will offer.

2) They are not packaged with EVERY console. i.e. there will be a lot of owners who do not have a tablet/phone. This means that devs will not throw a lot of resources at these features. Whereas with WiiU they know 100% of owners have the device so it makes sense to utilize it in 100% of games. This is why Move has very little support, even in the FPS category where it would be fucking awesome. Hello COD doesn't even use Move when they already have the exact same control code built for Wii.

SmartGlass is a very good and natural extension of the consoles. I said this was coming and been saying this was coming for awhile now. I mostly focused on Win8 and the next consoles, but I knew it was coming. It will add a lot of new features and connectivity for the devices and one of the reasons I hoped Nintendo/Sony utilize Android in some form. However, it is not even comparable to the feature set you'll get with Gamepad and its relationship to the console. Not even close.

Its more like Kinect as compared to Wiimote. Motion is core, but with Kinect you can't control movement and thus the greater majority of genres cannot be replicated with the device. Any genre can be used in Wiimote/nunchuk.

Same here with SmartGlass. Sure touch based interface could be the same. However, without the other controls it pales in comparison. Then you add in the fact that it will have far lower support... and bam. Its nothing but a media controller.

I am not sure if you're directly referring to SmartGlass or WiiU Gamepad, but with the Gamepad its one in teh same device. (why gamepad and smartglass are nto directly comparable)