Netflix Gaming Service on iOS Likely to Offer Individual Games Through the App Store

[MacRumors]

Netflix will be required to enlist each game offered via its gaming service through the App Store for users to download and install, instead of providing an all-in-one experience within the Netflix app, due to Apple's rules, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

Last year, Apple's App Store rules on gaming services became a central issue following a public spat between the Cupertino tech giant and Microsoft. Microsoft was looking to release its cloud-based gaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming, via the App Store and offer all of its games playable through its app. Microsoft, like others, has been forced to release its service as a web experience for users on iOS.

Apple's updated guidelines prevent such an app from making it onto the store, requiring that developers enlist every game that would be offered through its app as a separate app on the App Store, subjecting them to the platform's guidelines.

Netflix's service, named Netflix Games, currently operates under similar parameters on Android. While users can browse the games it has to offer via the Netflix app itself, users are redirected to the Google Play Store to actually install and download them. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that the same approach will come to iOS.

Because of Apple's ban on all-in-one services, the current individual app implementation on Android of the Netflix service gives us a preview of how the Netflix offering will function on iOS.

Netflix has been actively testing games on iOS, and—according to code discovered by developer Steve Moser and shared with Power On—Netflix will release all of its games on Apple's App Store individually and let users launch the games via the Netflix app. They won't all be downloadable and playable within the app itself.

From a user's perspective, the experience is not as seamless and intuitive as Netflix, Microsoft, or even Meta would like. Apple operates its own gaming service, Apple Arcade, which is offered directly within the App Store. The platform's rules may make it harder for its own gaming platform to face competition from other services.

Gurman writes that while the solution will work, it's not an approach that will put Netflix Games "in the best position to succeed." Netflix's service isn't currently cloud-based on Android or iOS, but that's expected to change on Android, and whether a cloud-based move will be possible on iOS is up to whether Apple will alter its App Store rules.

Article Link: Netflix Gaming Service on iOS Likely to Offer Individual Games Through the App Store

 

[DFZD]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

This whole BS about caring for its customers is seriously getting old now, Apple under Tim Cook has proved time and again that Apple always cares about its shareholders and occasionally about its customers, and that too when their shareholders are losing out.

 

[ruka.snow]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

Steam and Netflix are the only trusted 3rd party providers in that list. Epic is shady as all hell and Origin hasn't proven itself yet. If anything the only truly trusted 3rd party there is Steam and they aren't interested in mobile.

 

[DFZD]

Steam and Netflix are the only trusted 3rd party providers in that list. Epic is shady as all hell and Origin hasn't proven itself yet. If anything the only truly trusted 3rd party there is Steam and they aren't interested in mobile.

My point was that 3rd Party App Install has to be allowed now. It's time to open up the gates. Or the least Apple can do is to stop its fake worry for the users.

And as for Epic being untrustworthy. Sure they have been pretty dubious in the past but they are a registered company in US and are bound by US laws, there's no reason to believe they will allow malware on their stores, at least deliberately, and accidents do happen, its not like the App Store apps are all squeaky clean.

 

[MJaP]

Coming soon, Apple to demand a cut of all website sales using the Safari browser as they are facilitating the sale through their platform, and then banning all other web browsers to protect their users as they cannot guarantee other browsers will supply the same safe browsing experience that their customer expect from Apple. Later Tim Cook buys Jeff Bezos as his personal grape peeler and then purchases the solar system. ?

 

[JustSomebody12]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

This whole BS about caring for its customers is seriously getting old now, Apple under Tim Cook has proved time and again that Apple always cares about its shareholders and occasionally about its customers, and that too when their shareholders are losing out.

They could also limit heavily what OS services and data a downloaded app can have access to.

I don't get why apps should always have access to the internet, or exchange data with other apps from the same developer.

 

[WiseAJ]

Coming soon, Apple to demand a cut of all website sales using the Safari browser as they are facilitating the sale through their platform, and then banning all other web browsers to protect their users as they cannot guarantee other browsers will supply the same safe browsing experience that their customer expect from Apple. Later Tim Cook buys Jeff Bezos as his personal grape peeler and then purchases the solar system. ?

You do realize that Tim Cook is nowhere near as rich as Jeff Bezos right?

 

[MVMNT]

So are Netflix trying to become the next Steam?

 

[Jeaz]

How else would they have done this? For streaming, sure there can be one app since nothing is on the phone, but in Netflix case they are all on-device. Would people prefer a massive Netflix app with every game included in it!?

 

[coolbreeze2]

You do realize that Tim Cook is nowhere near as rich as Jeff Bezos right?

I think the point is Tim Cook would be potentially richer than Jess Bezos if Apple was allowed to collect a cut from website sales.

 

[MJaP]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

This whole BS about caring for its customers is seriously getting old now, Apple under Tim Cook has proved time and again that Apple always cares about its shareholders and occasionally about its customers, and that too when their shareholders are losing out.

I know it isn't in Apple's best interest financially, or what they want from a PR point of view (to associate Malware with MacOS), but coming from a PC background I wish MacOS would allow on demand scanning of downloaded side-loaded 3rd party programs, at the moment xprotect and the Malware Removal Tool built into MacOS give you little to no feedback of their activity and you have to bypass Gatekeeper's popup in order to install 3rd party non notorized programs. So if you have a download you have no way to scan it for threats before commiting to trying to install it and then hoping MacOS's anti-malware systems and Unix structure will be enough to protect you should the download contain a malware component. By doing this Apple are relying on your paranoia and fear to prevent you from attempting an install rather than the reassurance of a visible scan prior to install. I know you could download a 3rd party anti-malware/virus program, but like Windows Defender I think there should be a native Apple provided service to do this.

 

[deevey]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

Epic, Trusted when they jam a time bomb into their app? Even the others you mention have their code audited before release.

 

[newbmacuser2021]

Coming soon, Apple to demand a cut of all website sales using the Safari browser as they are facilitating the sale through their platform, and then banning all other web browsers to protect their users as they cannot guarantee other browsers will supply the same safe browsing experience that their customer expect from Apple. Later Tim Cook buys Jeff Bezos as his personal grape peeler and then purchases the solar system. ?

An Amazon purchase has nothing to do with Safari. It invokes a Python or Java instance on AWS using a REST API call.

It could be done just by authenticating through something like api.amazon.com/purchase?type=shoes&id=100

It could be invoked in the Linux terminal. It doesn’t require a web browser.

That’s purely backend and what Amazon excels in. (AWS)

Cloud Computing Services - Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services offers reliable, scalable, and inexpensive cloud computing services. Free to join, pay only for what you use.

aws.amazon.com

That’s different from forcing Apple to upgrade Safari’s HTML5 logic to display 4K video (for free) so that your video streaming website can charge $40 a month for 4K content. And pay Apple 0% for providing the tools needed.

And in all fairness to Netflix, they don’t actually need the internet. You can purchase or rent Stranger Things on DVD or Blu-Ray:

Netflix - Watch TV Shows Online, Watch Movies Online

Watch Netflix movies & TV shows online or stream right to your smart TV, game console, PC, Mac, mobile, tablet and more.

dvd.netflix.com

 

[anthogag]

Netflix will probably have better games compared to Apple Arcade. Less “ages 4+“ crappollo…

 

[newbmacuser2021]

Netflix will probably have better games compared to Apple Arcade. Less “ages 4+“ crapollo…

Imagine writing a JavaScript game using JavaScript’s pseudo-3D engine:

Three.js – JavaScript 3D Library

threejs.org

It’s not a true 3D engine because Javascript can’t pass data between concurrent threads (privacy issues). Otherwise, if Javascript functions could communicate with each other, a Javascript injection would steal all of your bank info. So Javascript gaming is limited to a single function (that might invoke other inner functions). It’s ultimately just one big function.

So you said, to heck with SceneKit, I’m using JavaScript pseudo-3D. Using a single core and a single thread like it was 1992.

Now imagine putting that JavaScript pseudo-3D game in the AppStore for free, that can only use one core on one thread, and using alternative payment methods like Epic. Apple makes $0 from your game. And Apple actually loses money to host your game in the AppStore.

Now, imagine writing to Tim Cook and demanding that Apple fix Safari to work with your pseudo-3D engine that pays them $0, while ignoring SceneKit, Swift, and their monetization models.

And offering them $0.

And then threatening to sue them if they don’t comply.

 

[bobbie424242]

Apple the control freak company, restricting innovation to be only the one it allows, with an ever growing list of arbitrary rules.
These clowns surely would never have never invented the open Web. The sole reason there is Safari on iOS is a concession for people to not massively revolt and because the Web predates iOS...

 

[newbmacuser2021]

Apple the control freak company, restricting innovation to be only the one it allows, with an ever growing list of arbitrary rules.
These clowns surely would never have never invented the open Web. The sole reason there is Safari on iOS is a concession for people to not massively revolt and because the Web predates iOS...

The sole reason there is Safari on iOS is so that you can access your bank account.

For business, Apple’s iOS Mail app doesn’t use Safari. (At least it didn’t…)

Think about Palm Pilots.

I think given the Stock Market, banking, and professionals wanting access to their finances, Apple added Safari on top of Palm OS.

 

[metapunk2077fail]

My point was that 3rd Party App Install has to be allowed now. It's time to open up the gates. Or the least Apple can do is to stop its fake worry for the users.

We are living in the age of spyware by murdering regimes and ransomware by criminals and dictatorships.

Any tiny software bug or security bug will be exploited by them to kill people, collect data, steal money.

A cute game just like a cute meme coin is a perfect cover for nefarious activity.

Imagine a cute game gets distributed. Kids hear about it on TikTok or whatever. It promises kids the chance to make money in the game. They install it by side loading and start playing. The game contains malware that takes over the device in the background and collects information on the kid and their whole family. What if this kid's parents were in politics or business? They all become compromised.

If you're not aware how dangerous this is to our future then you're extremely ignorant. Ideologically brainwashed by whatever ideas that have been fed to you, sometimes unconsciously.

We have to tighten up security in every possible way because politicians are bought off by extremists and dictators all the time, so they can be slow to act. The companies who make our phones have a high responsibility on their shoulders to make sure we are safe.

 

[Abazigal]

If Apple really cares about Malware threats from sideloading, they should ensure proper checks to make sure you can install third party apps only from trusted 3rd party providers, like Epic Games, Netflix and in future Steam and Origin as well.

This whole BS about caring for its customers is seriously getting old now, Apple under Tim Cook has proved time and again that Apple always cares about its shareholders and occasionally about its customers, and that too when their shareholders are losing out.

And what makes Epic and Netflix trusted?

Personally, I would rather have all games made available in one central location (the iOS App Store) than have to wage through multiple different app stores to locate the app I want.

This also means that Apple is able to better enforce their App Store rules, such as ATT and Sign In with Apple.

In this regard, Apple’s interests are pretty much aligned with my own as a consumer.

 

[newbmacuser2021]

Apple Watch doesn’t support Safari. It does, but it doesn’t do it well.

And everyone complains about having no bank access on Apple Watch.

It would be insanely complicated, like NASA level complicated, to make a C version of a banking app.

 

[Havoc035]

Coming soon, Apple to demand a cut of all website sales using the Safari browser as they are facilitating the sale through their platform, and then banning all other web browsers to protect their users as they cannot guarantee other browsers will supply the same safe browsing experience that their customer expect from Apple. Later Tim Cook buys Jeff Bezos as his personal grape peeler and then purchases the solar system. ?

Apple doesn’t have anything to do with webshops selling products. But did you know that web hosting companies, e-commerce platforms and payment service providers also charge webshops? That’s because they provide a service for the shops, just like Apple does for apps by providing the App Store.

 

[newbmacuser2021]

I think the BlackBerry and iPhone were born from Fortune 500 CEOs who kept complaining about having no internet while traveling on business.

And so they’d show up, to the meeting, to the hotel, to the restaurant, and be clueless about how much money they’re spending. PalmOS did a lot, but it didn’t provide insight to realtime data like banking or stocks.

So, Silicon Valley put the internet on mobile devices so that a CEO like Jeff Bezos could eyeball the expenses incurred on a client dinner with Microsoft:

Citibank: $10,400

OK, that seems right.

And then the Fortune 500 companies gave every mid-level manager the same phones and tools, with company expense forms and credit cards. No more guessing!

And today, you have teenagers sort of guiding the interests of mobile smart phones, which historically have been for business executives.

Or per this article, internet gaming from Netflix.

 

[mlody]

I hate the idea of nested app stores etc. How would parental controls work with such app? Would i be able to control individual games that my kids play and set different limits?

 

[newbmacuser2021]

You all probably remember having a BlackBerry for work at one point.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

This functions exactly as the App Store, and Apple Arcade, does.

Cry moar, Netflix.