Microsoft xCloud Beta for iPhone and iPad to Launch This Week [Updated]

[BuffaloTF]

Those two paragraphs contradict each other.

How?

One of those things supports Safari, Chrome, and Edge... all noted as supported web browsers.

The other one does not have even the most basic web browser.

 

[koil]

No macOS and no tvOS. Microsoft wants the bigger screen gaming to require Windows.

This is not on Microsoft man, this is 100% on Apple. It's possible that even if Apple had allowed a real iOS app, that Microsoft would not have developed a tvOS version anyway, but as it stands, this is 100% on Apple.

I think cloud gaming is a terrible idea personally, but Apple are being completely unreasonable with the way they are treating their walled garden and since I do agree that they shouldn't be forced to accept anything into their store, I think the only real solution here is to open up to 3rd party app stores.

 

[MICHAELSD]

I don’t see how a browser version could be as good as an app, but maybe Microsoft will pull it off.

 

[Maconplasma]

The reason they don't have an app is because Apple won't let them. It's complete BS too, as it's no different from Netflix, Hulu, or any of the other streaming site. Apple doesn't get to curate those on an individual title basis.

The reason Apple is hypocritical here is that Gamepass competes with what they're trying to do with arcade.

I love apple, but this is one thing I simply cannot support them on. At least Xbox/Gamepass users won't have to suffer much longer.

You can go on and defend Microsoft all you want but Microsoft is far away from being without faults. They have been trashing Macs a LOT lately in ads and have been hands-on physically disparaging Apple's products. They are trying to stop people from buying Macs and they dumb down Office 365 for Mac. Microsoft is no angel when it comes to the Mac community.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I believe the reasons are more based on App Store limitations, like having to have every single game as a standalone separate icon on the springboard rather than a single Xbox app. (Imagine how messy that would be if you have a huge game library.)

These App Store restrictions make it such that a browser based experience is the only ‘good’ option for iOS users.

Shouldn’t be messy at all now that you can hide icons.
I literally only have one page of apps, none of which are in folders. And that same home screen has two big widgets on it. Everything else is hidden away in the app library

 

[adbe]

I don’t see how a browser version could be as good as an app, but maybe Microsoft will pull it off.

I think you're reading *way* too much into 'browser'. All the browser needs to be able to do is stream video and send controller information back over a socket. That's basically table stakes for all modern browsers, and literally no different to the existing game streaming technologies. It'll be fine.

 

[Valinor]

So basically Microsoft lied when they said its gonna be released soon. Beta doesnt count as a release..... Ridiculous, they better send me an invite. The spring release was the whole reason I bought gamepass ultimate.

 

[Maconplasma]

I think you're reading *way* too much into 'browser'. All the browser needs to be able to do is stream video and send controller information back over a socket. That's basically table stakes for all modern browsers, and literally no different to the existing game streaming technologies. It'll be fine.

You can be sure to know that Microsoft WILL either require or suggest "for best experience" that customers download and install Edge. I don't use it and prefer not to use it. They did this same crap when they tried to push their media player Silverlight down people's throats by offering "locked" media that could only be viewed with the Silverlight application.

 

[adbe]

Those two paragraphs contradict each other.

Only if you ignore the context that I was replying to your specific claim.

I said the mac is probably low on MSs list because the market is small. I also said, if the demand is there they'd equally probably support it. So no contradiction.

You said the mac won't be supported because Windows. Steve Ballmer is gone. The 2000s were over a decade ago. MS like everyone else is becoming a services company.

 

[adbe]

You can be sure to know that Microsoft WILL either require or suggest "for best experience" that customers download and install Edge. I don't use it and prefer not to use it. They did this same crap when they tried to push their media player Silverlight down people's throats by offering "locked" media that could only be viewed with the Silverlight application.

On iOS? Why? Edge is webkit on iOS. And sure they could do that, but really what does that gain them except ill will?

 

[Maconplasma]

I said the mac is probably low on MSs list because the market is small.

If that's true then please explain why Microsoft keeps constantly doing disparaging Mac ads trying to stop people from buying Macs in favor of the Surface? If Macs were low on Microsoft's list they wouldn't do ads showing how threatened they are about Apple's products.

 

[Maconplasma]

On iOS? Why? Edge is webkit on iOS. And sure they could do that, but really what does that gain them except ill will?

Understandable, but what it gains for Microsoft is more browser penetration. If Microsoft played a fair game then Apple's customers wouldn't keep getting the short end of the stick. Remember Microsoft is salty that Windows Phone got "trumped" by iOS.

 

[code-m]

I believe the reasons are more based on App Store limitations, like having to have every single game as a standalone separate icon on the springboard rather than a single Xbox app. (Imagine how messy that would be if you have a huge game library.)

These App Store restrictions make it such that a browser based experience is the only ‘good’ option for iOS users.

Would that not make it a GameStore which would circumvent the intent and purpose of the AppStore and AppleArcade.

 

[Techwatcher]

Finally. That's awesome.

 

[DevNull0]

This is a direction I would like Apple to go in. I used to be a big gamer when I was younger. Over the years I played less and less. I turn my PS4 on maybe a few times a year. But I would love to see Apple make a competitor to this, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna. Data suggest customers don’t play AAA games from the app store. But if they want to make the Apple TV a powerhouse I’d love to see a separate Apple Arcade+ service for playing AAA games like call of duty and battlefield. I just want the Apple TV to be my do it all machine. The cost of porting games and the time it takes to do it isn’t much for Apple to pay. Part of me wants to see Apple have a big partnership with a major game studio to produce AAA games and also make TV shows based off of the games but there may not be enough benefit for Apple.

The XBox Series S isn't that much more expensive than an Apple TV especially after buying a controller for the ATV. The XBox will give you a much, much better gaming experience on the big TV with Game Pass Ultimate than this streaming option. Microsoft knows that.

And the Series S will also let you do all the streaming things you'd expect of the Apple TV (except screen mirroring). You can run the Apple TV app on the Series S.

So, why is it so important to you that the ATV be your do it all machine. ATV is a very narrowly focused product, adn there are much better do it all platforms out there. Apple has always been the anti-gaming platform. Nothing in this story changes that.

Sorry if calling Apple anti-gaming offends the people who enjoy Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, and other freemium crap-ware.

 

[Isengardtom]

Nice. I will definitely try this

 

[Okasian]

Would that not make it a GameStore which would circumvent the intent and purpose of the AppStore and AppleArcade.

What’s GameStore? Did you mean the optional GameKit API?

But in essence, yes, you’re right. The App Store is limited (or walled off) in that way.

 

[69Mustang]

It's based on Microsoft knowing that most AAA game customers prefer to play the games on bigger screens + Microsoft wanting those bigger screens to be using Windows and/or MS hardware.

That's not true. They don't care about where you play AAA games. They care that you play AAA games via the GamePass ecosystem. The new consoles are ancillary to MS' larger goal of 'erbody and they momma' subbed to Game Pass and playing games from the service. It's working too. Major League Baseball made Sony put MLB the Show 21 on GamePass cuz they see what GP is doing to the industry. GamePass players get to play it with no additional payment beyond their GP sub. Playstation customer have to actually buy the $70 game to play it... a game that is a Sony IP and developed by one of Sony's studios.

You can go on and defend Microsoft all you want but Microsoft is far away from being without faults. They have been trashing Macs a LOT lately in ads and have been hands-on physically disparaging Apple's products. They are trying to stop people from buying Macs and they dumb down Office 365 for Mac. Microsoft is no angel when it comes to the Mac community.

Please stop spreading unrelated FUD in the thread. Nothing you've quoted in this thread is relevant to the topic.

You can be sure to know that Microsoft WILL either require or suggest "for best experience" that customers download and install Edge. I don't use it and prefer not to use it. They did this same crap when they tried to push their media player Silverlight down people's throats by offering "locked" media that could only be viewed with the Silverlight application.

Jeebus. We get it. Microsoft broke up with your sister. You're mad. But please stop making up stuff or at least post something related to the topic.

 

[Thunderstrike76]

The XBox Series S isn't that much more expensive than an Apple TV especially after buying a controller for the ATV. The XBox will give you a much, much better gaming experience on the big TV with Game Pass Ultimate than this streaming option. Microsoft knows that.

And the Series S will also let you do all the streaming things you'd expect of the Apple TV (except screen mirroring). You can run the Apple TV app on the Series S.

So, why is it so important to you that the ATV be your do it all machine. ATV is a very narrowly focused product, adn there are much better do it all platforms out there. Apple has always been the anti-gaming platform. Nothing in this story changes that.

Sorry if calling Apple anti-gaming offends the people who enjoy Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, and other freemium crap-ware.

I would never have an Xbox. PlayStation guy for life. But being invested in the Apple ecosystem Id rather just stick with the Apple TV instead converting to a game console that I only use a few times a year that’s outside of my main ecosystem. Give me just one AAA shooter on the Apple TV that I can play with people online and I’m happy Whether it’s call of duty or even PUBG. If the same game was launched on both Apple TV and PlayStation but the Apple TV version didn’t look as pretty im more than likely gonna choose the Apple TV version.

 

[69Mustang]

Would that not make it a GameStore which would circumvent the intent and purpose of the AppStore and AppleArcade.

It would not... mostly that is. GamePass is a subscription to play games, not buy games to play. A GamePass subscriber can play any of the 300+ games hosted on the service for no additional cost beyond the sub price. The games would have been hosted on MS servers and streamed to iOS devices. No need to download a game. Simply tap play. Same as can be done on Android devices already.

Apple's objection most likely stemmed from a lack of potential revenue from games that offer DLC.

 

[connormw]

To everyone saying "Well they won't release it on macOS."

Keep in mind that it was Apple's own App Store policies that have forced Microsoft to go the web-based route on iOS devices. I absolutely can see a world in which they release a stand-alone app for macOS that allows the streaming platform to work on Macs, even M1s.

Don't forget: Microsoft is a major producer of software for macOS and iOS. The idea they'd give up on the macOS market for what basically accounts for a wrapper around their service seems a little asinine.

 

[mikosk]

Still don't get why Apple objected to this. Arcade and GamePass provide different gaming experiences. Netflix is allowed to co-exist with AppleTV+. I have Spotify on my phone instead of Apple Music. And so on...

Glad that MSFT didn't slow down and will just release a browser version. Apple will now get $0 instead of whatever pile of money they were holding out for.

 

[richman555]

This is great news as I just purchased an Xbox Series X and 2 years of game pass. I believe in the subscription service for games approach. Also keep in mind, I don't think streaming to the browser is the best experience at all, however I do appreciate having the option as I don't own a PC. Options are good.

 

[richman555]

Still don't get why Apple objected to this. Arcade and GamePass provide different gaming experiences. Netflix is allowed to co-exist with AppleTV+. I have Spotify on my phone instead of Apple Music. And so on...

Glad that MSFT didn't slow down and will just release a browser version. Apple will now get $0 instead of whatever pile of money they were holding out for.

You hit the nail right on the head. I think Apple should allow it and compete if they can. If anything, it brings gaming to the Mac which has been almost non existent for years.

 

[Ethosik]

The reason they don't have an app is because Apple won't let them. It's complete BS too, as it's no different from Netflix, Hulu, or any of the other streaming site. Apple doesn't get to curate those on an individual title basis.

The reason Apple is hypocritical here is that Gamepass competes with what they're trying to do with arcade.

I love apple, but this is one thing I simply cannot support them on. At least Xbox/Gamepass users won't have to suffer much longer.

Games, by definition, are purely 100% user interaction. Movies, typically, 99% of the time, are not. There are exceptions on Netflix, but most of the time its Play/Pause/Resume/...

Not entering my credentials, playing with others, naming items, paying for DLC, and more.