"Smartglass" is the latest buzz in the gaming world.

The technology, which Microsoft unveiled at the E3 videogame conference, promises to comprise several of Microsoft's popular products: its Xbox videogame console, tablets running the new Windows 8 operating system and Windows phone devices.

SmartGlass, Microsoft says, will allow a tablet to act like a game controller and stream media to a larger screen controlled by the Xbox. It can also augment videogames with additional information such as team formations in a sports game.

SmartGlass would be a free application that works with Windows phones, Windows 8 and other portable devices.

Essentially, says Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft's gaming business, the SmartGlass application will allow the Xbox to "communicate with whatever glass surface you like."

By downloading the app, it will automatically knit the content together, he added.

Existing product competitors are attempting to accomplish similar elements. Apple, for example, has a technology called AirPlay, which can stream video, music and images from an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV.

Among the games Microsoft has in store for SmartGlass are Electronic Art's Madden 13 and FIFA 13, each of which will allow gamers to control the games by instructing commands at the screen.

Microsoft is also incorporating its Xbox branding into the Windows 8 operating system for computers and tablets. It is already being used with phones made using Microsoft's "Windows Phone 7" software, which was first released in late 2010.