Microsoft's xCloud and Xbox Game Pass Not Coming to iOS Due to Apple's Restrictions [Updated]

[Anox]

Streaming videogames are a lot more responsive than you give them credit for. The input lag is not really a factor unless you have a poor quality connection.



Nope, both are streaming audio and video, neither are "streaming code", whatever that means. It doesn't open the door to millions of streamable apps, Game Pass is a closed ecosystem. It is not an embedded App Store, there is no purchase mechanism and all titles are available for free once you subscribe.



What if you open the Safari app and execute some "streamable code" from Amazon.com that asks for your credit card? What if Amazon is hacked?



Another straw man. If Sony had a PS Now Xbox app ready to launch and Microsoft were denying them for spurious reasons, this would be relevant.

Do you have/had access to the direct correspondence that “block” the app from being on the App Store?
Do you know the reason for the app not launching on iOS?
We’re you a part of the TestFlight?
Do you not see the potential harm that can come from a service that will expand both on features and on catalog?

also To the best of my knowledge Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ do not record any data and sends it through your machine and unless xCloud is transmitting data from your controller directly there is code that happens individually for each game

[edit]
This is not to offend anyone especially not nickgovier and should be noted as an inquiry to get more knowledge I still feel that there is so much we don’t know in regards to this

 

[dguisinger]

Do you have/had access to the direct correspondence that “block” the app from being on the App Store?
Do you know the reason for the app not launching on iOS?
We’re you a part of the TestFlight?
Do you not see the potential harm that can come from a service that will expand both on features and on catalog?

also To the best of my knowledge Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ do not record any data and sends it through your machine and unless xCloud is transmitting data from your controller directly there is code that happens individually for each game

Do you have any clue what you are talking about? Have you bothered to read the various articles and 11 pages of comments? Seems pretty Dunning-Kruger to me.....

 

[MacBH928]

There's nothing Apple loves more than a monopoly. Of course they denied this app! It competes directly with their Arcade service. Apple hates competition.

This is actually their business model, to lock in their customers in their own eco-system. Personally I didn't mind it because the Apple product was usually the better product, but not always. Their software is dropping in quality.

 

[Anox]

Truly and deeply saddened? It's a company, not your next of kin.

I am a human
I believe in humans
I’ve seen what stupidity can really do to this world and how people feed into each other’s hate and despair blinded by how simple solution is feasible, how easy to get along can be.

Apple is a gatekeeper they get payed a lot of money for that your options to go elsewhere was and always will be available just like the knowledge they hold their store to a certain standard, level they instate

there’s applications out there that function like xCloud allegedly did
Be it steamlink or ps4 remoteplay or even stadia the way people gather their pitchfork is just terrible truly

 

[Anox]

Do you have any clue what you are talking about? Have you bothered to read the various articles and 11 pages of comments? Seems pretty Dunning-Kruger to me.....

those were questions, care to answer them I’ll be glad otherwise have a nice day and please try to keep safe

[edit ]
also no I didn't read all pages I had enough around-page 3, I feel your collective pain I really do I get it but frankly things may be different than they seem.
And screaming monopoly just because you don’t like it is definitely not good

 

[dguisinger]

I am a human
I believe in humans
I’ve seen what stupidity can really do to this world and how people feed into each other’s hate and despair blinded by how simple solution is feasible, how easy to get along can be.

Apple is a gatekeeper they get payed a lot of money for that your options to go elsewhere was and always will be available just like the knowledge they hold their store to a certain standard, level they instate

there’s applications out there that function like xCloud allegedly did
Be it steamlink or ps4 remoteplay or even stadia the way people gather their pitchfork is just terrible truly

To be fair, it was your other comment that came across as an angry and hateful and yelling at the cloud (xCloud?).... everyone else here has been quite polite.... just not kissing the ring and brown nosing Tim Cook.....

 

[mrcloaked]

I'll do that.

 

[BMox81]

I am truly and deeply saddened by the speed in which people get pitchforks and torches ready to take down Apple
Guys calm down!!!
As the reason for any one of these applications not being on the App Store still involves information that is not available to anyone other than the parties involved
And to all That say this is because of Apple Arcade please remember a key difference between them other then streaming the games on both are kinda different to say the least...

I get it, it @&$* a lot but this isn’t something to go screaming monopoly about it is however something to petition, advocate and yes if you must scream for a change in policies Apple does a fair job of creating a safe, good, welcoming platform
Please don’t ruin it with bitterness over something that can very well be resolved by conversation between these giants

lol

 

[darkslide29]

If anyone cares, you can and have been able to stream PS4 games to your iPhone. Just download the PlayStation Remote Play App.

I’m surprised so many people are annoyed about the Xbox thing, didn’t know many people even had one.

I think you might be missing the point. Apple already allows “desktop remote apps” that allow you to mirror your own hardware. Whether that’s a PC, Mac, or the Playstation 4 hardware you mentioned.

The issue is that Apple is drawing a hard line with xCloud because it’s not mirroring your hardware, but rather streaming from the cloud. This works similarly to when you launch the Netflix app, you have a library to start streaming instantly, xCloud does the same for games. You don’t need to own an Xbox to start streaming any of their games, instantly. If a phone is all you have, that’s enough to enjoy the service.

The problem is that Apple gave the reason of why they can’t allow a cloud-based gaming app as because they can’t review every game on xCloud for content. This is disingenuous because they don’t hold this same standard for any other media app and review every movie that is also cloud-based (movies, tv shows, music).

 

[Anox]

To be fair, it was your other comment that came across as an angry and hateful and yelling at the cloud (xCloud?).... everyone else here has been quite polite.... just not kissing the ring and brown nosing Tim Cook.....

Which one the one I said I get it and it s@&s or the one with the keeping safe?

[Edit ]
Interesting choice of words there is this teasing?

 

[Anox]

I think you might be missing the point. Apple already allows “desktop remote apps” that allow you to mirror your own hardware. Whether that’s a PC, Mac, or the Playstation 4 hardware you mentioned.

The issue is that Apple is drawing a hard line with xCloud because it’s not mirroring your hardware, but rather streaming from the cloud. This works similarly to when you launch the Netflix app, you have a library to start streaming instantly, xCloud does the same for games. You don’t need to own an Xbox to start streaming any of their games, instantly.

The problem is that Apple gave the reason of why they can’t allow a cloud-based gaming app because they can’t review every game on xCloud for content. This is disingenuous because they don’t hold this same standard for any other media that is also cloud-based. (movies, tv shows, music).

I think it has to do with the fact you are broadcasting back not just receiving that makes the difference

 

[techfreak23]

Now these are the kinds of practices to bring up in the anti-trust case. This is clearly a move to benefit themselves. Apple Arcade wasn’t around when the policy was put in place, but you know damn well it was already in the works. How convenient that their own gaming service (while not a streaming service exactly) fits their guidelines perfectly. They know full well that no other service would be able to compete since they’re not likely to change their models to allow Apple to review and reject individual games from their platform.
This will definitely have some sort of positive result. No one really cared about the other services because they weren’t popular back then even as concepts. Xbox gamers have been looking forward to xCloud for almost a year now and a lot of them, myself included, use Apple devices. Apple will be hearing from all sides for sure.

 

[Agit21]

Every day i read something Apple negative like that in the news.
Im getting closer and closer to ditch my Apple stuff, they are seriously $@$*! me off.
If US & EU Antitrust don’t get them under control, I’m gone.
It’s staring to feel bad, supporting Apple by buying and using their devices.

My exact thoughts.

 

[darkslide29]

I think it has to do with the fact you are broadcasting back not just receiving that makes the difference

This is a good point, thanks. I can see that there can be genuine concern with that. I suppose it’s not as straight forward as I said. It’s a complex issue that I hope has to do more with what you suggested, and not a concern of profiting from xCloud. But they’re big companies, and if it’s a money issue, I hope they figure it out.

I just want to play my games lol. That I can use xCloud on MacOS but not iOS will seem strange to the average consumer.

I’ve never owned an android anything. I never thought I’d be looking into which android or surface tablet to buy, as I have been looking into tonight.

 

[darkslide29]

Now these are the kinds of practices to bring up in the anti-trust case. This is clearly a move to benefit themselves. Apple Arcade wasn’t around when the policy was put in place, but you know damn well it was already in the works. How convenient that their own gaming service (while not a streaming service exactly) fits their guidelines perfectly. They know full well that no other service would be able to compete since they’re not likely to change their models to allow Apple to review and reject individual games from their platform.
This will definitely have some sort of positive result. No one really cared about the other services because they weren’t popular back then even as concepts. Xbox gamers have been looking forward to xCloud for almost a year now and a lot of them, myself included, use Apple devices. Apple will be hearing from all sides for sure.

This is what I was thinking. Stadia dropped the ball with their double-dip model of $10 sub plus buying games at full $60 price. I don’t know if they’ve revealed sub numbers, but I’m sure they aren’t happy. Nvidia has their own cloud service that is having their own problems with developers. Now, finally, as you said, here’s xCloud with a real customer base. Microsoft recently said over ten million subscribers. That’s impressive! Surely, a big chunk of that are iPhone and iPad users.

I really hope we get a positive result. I’ve been saying that I’ve never owned an android device, but I’m looking for one now. I’d much rather upgrade my iPad, but here I am weighing my gaming hobby.

 

[Dingo Dave 69]

Very strange considering all the other apps they allow content to be streamed from such as Netflix etc. I wonder as well how this is any different to the PlayStation app which lets you connect to your PS4 and remote play from it. The article states that Apple won’t let users connect to their Xbox in the same way through iOS.

poor show from Apple on this and I hope they change their mind soon.

 

[Ries]

They can't test every game... but somehow magically they can test/control everything the browsers show?!?!?

 

[Anox]

This is a good point, thanks. I can see that there can be genuine concern with that. I suppose it’s not as straight forward as I said. It’s a complex issue that I hope has to do more with what you suggested, and not a concern of profiting from xCloud. But they’re big companies, and if it’s a money issue, I hope they figure it out.

I just want to play my games lol. That I can use xCloud on MacOS but not iOS will seem strange to the average consumer.

I’ve never owned an android anything. I never thought I’d be looking into which android or surface tablet to buy, as I have been looking into tonight.

I don’t think xCloud is as simple as they advertise it to be there must be something there, Apple will lose on money more then they gain in Apple Arcade
I really hope that you could play it but as it seems it will take time

 

[Indy sparky]

Looking on AT&T I can trade in my iPhone and get a $1000 credit towards the new note 20. Very tempting

 

[Anox]

Now these are the kinds of practices to bring up in the anti-trust case. This is clearly a move to benefit themselves. Apple Arcade wasn’t around when the policy was put in place, but you know damn well it was already in the works. How convenient that their own gaming service (while not a streaming service exactly) fits their guidelines perfectly. They know full well that no other service would be able to compete since they’re not likely to change their models to allow Apple to review and reject individual games from their platform.
This will definitely have some sort of positive result. No one really cared about the other services because they weren’t popular back then even as concepts. Xbox gamers have been looking forward to xCloud for almost a year now and a lot of them, myself included, use Apple devices. Apple will be hearing from all sides for sure.

Again I don’t think it’s the games themselves that are the problem rather the controls of the games if xCloud gives developers freedom to create unique controls like they should that as it self could present a problem albeit not one they can not solve bu I guess screaming monopoly and seeing if they can pressure the giant is always fun.

 

[Anox]

Very strange considering all the other apps they allow content to be streamed from such as Netflix etc. I wonder as well how this is any different to the PlayStation app which lets you connect to your PS4 and remote play from it. The article states that Apple won’t let users connect to their Xbox in the same way through iOS.

poor show from Apple on this and I hope they change their mind soon.

all these apps you mentioned may look like they do the same thing but under the hood can and should very well be different and so I believe that the problem lies in how xCloud function granted it a secret

 

[mdridwan47]

Apple seems to be begging for anti-trust action against them.

Let's hope it happens. Although I'm not optimistic.

 

[darkslide29]

Very strange considering all the other apps they allow content to be streamed from such as Netflix etc. I wonder as well how this is any different to the PlayStation app which lets you connect to your PS4 and remote play from it. The article states that Apple won’t let users connect to their Xbox in the same way through iOS.

poor show from Apple on this and I hope they change their mind soon.

I agree with you. But the difference is that Apple is ok if you stream from your personal PS4, as it’s considered “remote desktop software”. It is ok to mirror your pc, mac, PS4 to your iPhone or iPad. Xbox would be given the same OK in this regard.

The difference here is that starting in September, xCloud won’t be streaming from your Xbox. You don’t even need to own an Xbox. Like Netflix, open up the xCloud app, and you can start playing instantly, streaming.

Apple is saying that they can’t allow a cloud-based game streaming app because they aren’t able to review and approve of each and every game on the service. It feels disingenuous to me because they allow Netflix and other cloud-based media without reviewing every movie. But, it’s been pointed out to me that there’s a big difference with media like Netflix where you are simply downloading the data with essentially no input from the user. For games, there is constant input from the user, and could be cause for a concern.

My only hope is that with 10 million subscribers on xCloud, this is making news on a lot of tech enthusiast websites. But, gamers are still in the minority, it’s not going to make regular news, and Apple is on a march to a $2 Trillion valuation. They can’t or haven’t agreed to how to make their cut of money from allowing the app. Despite the large subscription base of Game Pass users, it might not be worth Apple caring about.

 

[BritishApple]

You do realize that Steve Jobs blocked Kindle books right? Why just blame Tim?

Because Steve died a decade before xCloud and Tim is CEO now.

Do keep up.

 

[MVMNT]

If there was a subscription model through the App, they'd probably think again.