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

[Marbles1]

Most of the App Store is trash, so apple’s arguments don’t stand up.

I do understand the quality risk and lack of ‘level playing field’ argument either.

 

[longofest]

I am really, really rooting against Apple at this point on the App Store antitrust cases. While the App store has certainly been a huge boon historically, at this point the policies Apple is enacting are clearly being done to enrich Apple at the expense of more meaningful experiences for the end user.

 

[thisismyusername]

Then how does Apple justify any type of remote desktop app?

 

[Rogifan]

It’s such crap. Apple doesn’t review every show on Netflix’s platform. Apple doesn’t want to give up all that sweet $$ it makes from games on the iOS platform. And doesn’t want anything competing with Apple Arcade.

I’m surprised Apple allows browsers on iOS since they can’t control what websites people go to.

 

[XXPP]

because they have a MONOPOLY

Do you know what means monopoly? You can buy android or windows device.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

And miss the % on what Apple get from in app purchase!

 

[2ilent8cho]

I think its a case of Apple's App Store policy has not moved with the times, a bit like tech moves faster than governments legislate and this highlights the need for a review on Apple's part.

If Apple want the iPad to become more like a full computer they need to remove some of the shackles.

You would think Microsoft and Apple's special relationship would mean that an agreement would have happened over this.

I get that when the App Store policies were made game streaming services did not exist so I get that they would get caught by them, but this should be where Apple makes changes.

 

[gnipgnop]

It’s such crap. Apple doesn’t review every show on Netflix’s platform.

Not sure why people are even bothering with this comparison. Movies and TV shows aren't apps. Games are apps.

 

[EyeTack]

This is really a glorified remote desktop app, albeit one optimized for gaming.

At some point, I hope Apple is forced to cut back on their restrictions or allow other stores. The walled garden regulations are increasingly out of hand.

 

[Rogifan]

Not sure why people are even bothering with this comparison. Movies and TV shows aren't apps. Games are apps.

Well what is the Netflix if not movies and TV shows? There’s nothing else you can do with the app.

 

[4nNtt]

For console/steam streaming, I guess you can have a store. It just needs to be in a separate app. Microsoft and Oculus do this. I would be nice if Steam did too. Apparently this isn't considered digital content since it isn't consumed on the iOS device which is great.

Steaming from a VM in the cloud vs streaming from your own device shouldn't be a criteria for removal in my opinion... I hope Microsoft at least releases a version of this that allows you stream from your own console.

 

[cocky jeremy]

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.

That's why the Apple Arcade is the only way to play games on iOS, right? Oh.. wait.

 

[Mr Magoo]

It’s such crap. Apple doesn’t review every show on Netflix’s platform. Apple doesn’t want to give up all that sweet $$ it makes from games on the iOS platform. And doesn’t want anything competing with Apple Arcade.

I’m surprised Apple allows browsers on iOS since they can’t control what websites people go to.

Don’t give them any ideas.

 

[Rogifan]

That's why the Apple Arcade is the only way to play games on iOS, right? Oh.. wait.

Apple makes a ton of money off all the other ways though. One of the games I play is Yahtzee With Buddies. One of their current “sales” is 25 dice rolls for $10. Just imagine how much money Apple makes off of all these kinds of IAPs.

 

[BarrettF77]

I hope Congress disrupts them in a big way! Sick of Apple thinking they are great. Clearly not as Apple Arcade sucks. Give the people what they want. Not wait 5 years and be praised for what you should have done in the first place.

I’m increasingly less and less a fan of how Apple operates and increasingly buy competing products because I like options and not being forced into one ecosystem. AKA HomePod for example.

 

[goobot]

What a joke.

 

[SoN1NjA]

Do you know what means monopoly? You can buy android or windows device.

Oh wow, I didn’t know they still made Windows Phone devices

 

[SDJim]

I am conflicted on this. I see anti-trust (monopoly) arguments, but also level-playing-field arguments. Apple could adjust its policies to allow services such as this in the future, but I see no problem enforcing them as they currently exist. Nobody was bitching about this before Microsoft released a service that violated it. Apple also, however, has little motivation to adjust policy when they do, indeed, have a competing service.

TL/DR: There is no right answer to Microsoft releasing this service.

 

[MrGimper]

Glad I bought a couple of kindle fire HD 8’s and rooted them. Will try xcloud on those

 

[kiranmk2]

Looks like Apple is on the verge of ballsing up gaming...again...

It's clear Apple Arcade is not going so well. I'm guessing it's because the gaming crowd, whilst they might be interested in the smaller, indie titles also want the AAA blockbusters like Fifa, CoD, GTA and the like. Unless Apple pay out the big bucks these games aren't going to come to Apple Arcade (and I can't imagine many people wanting to install a 60 GB game on their phone or Apple TV.

What's interesting is that people are interested in $15/month for GamePass which has a mixture of indie games and big titles. Such a deal still wouldn't work for Apple devices given the lack of local storage and thus, these game streaming services offer the ideal way to engage gamers. Suddenly a $180 Apple TV looks a lot more interesting - Apps from all the video/music servers, full HDR/Atmos support, access to GeForce Now, xCloud and perhaps Steam, all from one box. And you can use a Dualshock or MS controller, not some weird proprietary gamepad. They would surely sell a lot more Apple TVs. However, this would probably kill Apple Arcade.

You never know, perhaps Apple could be developing it's own game streaming service. Or might buy Nintendo. Or are going to balls up this opportunity.

 

[Spikeboss]

Apple Monopoly, they gonna pay for it one day, You will see, people will just get away from apple product one day

 

[Cycom]

This is getting ridiculous at this point. We're not babies. Just put a warning label or whatever and allow it on the App Store.

Apple doesn’t think its customers are babies, they think we’re imbeciles. And to a degree they’re correct. We keep buying their products and services.

 

[Spikeboss]

Not sure why people are even bothering with this comparison. Movies and TV shows aren't apps. Games are apps.

bro.. is the samething, xcloud contains games that you play directly from the app you don't need to download any aditional app (games), same as netflix, you just download netflix and stream movies, shows etc, you get it?

 

[edgonzalez32]

Not sure why people are even bothering with this comparison. Movies and TV shows aren't apps. Games are apps.

It doesn’t matter what the content is. You’re streaming it.
Hell you can even download Netflix content for offline viewing. Xcloud is all streaming.

 

[edgonzalez32]

Apple doesn’t do this for security. They do it for control. And I really wish people would start understanding that.

Somebody in another thread actually said to me that he wishes that macOS would adopt iOS with the Mac App Store being the only source of app installation. Shouldn’t we be wishing for the other way around? iOS adopts what macOS does.

Sometimes I truly wonder wtf some of you are smoking around here. Realize it’s just a phone. Not a religion. If you criticize a practice of theirs you won’t get smited.