Monday, October 12th 2020
Microsoft xCloud May Bypass Apple App Store with Web App
Microsoft is reportedly planning to release a "direct browser-based solution" to bring their Xbox Game Pass xCloud streaming service to iOS and iPadOS devices targeting a 2021 launch according to sources familiar with the matter. Microsoft has faced numerous issues with bringing the service to Apple devices due to App Store policies requiring each game to be uploaded as a separate application for review. Microsoft has previously stated that this solution is unacceptable and they would be investigating other options, they seem to have concluded that a web app would be the best route forwards. This approach is very similar to Amazon's Luna game streaming service which will also utilize a web app for access on Apple devices.
Source:
Microsoft
16 Comments on Microsoft xCloud May Bypass Apple App Store with Web App
Apple may infantily try to cripple the option, but they'll have even less of a leg to stand on at that point.
All the other services are able to do it that way, so Microsoft should be able to too. If they cripple that functionality for Microsoft, they have no legs to stand on as they're enforcing rules selectively at that point. Or they cripple it for everybody and ruin it for everyone (including Amazon Luna amongst so many more).
EPIC are using Apple's ecosystem to host their game, grab Apple's user base and profit directly from a game using Apple's servers, Apple hardware, and Apple's customers.
xCloud is a seperate ecosystem and platform. The iOS app is simply a remote access device to that external Microsoft ecosystem of Microsoft Servers, Microsoft hardware, and Microsoft customers.
You could argue the same thing for Netflix or Stadia quite easily - The iOS apps are simply what a web browser can do, but with better mobile support. Everything that matters is out on the web, not running on Apple hardware or Apple servers.
As a gamer I likely won't use xCloud because I don't want to waste bandwidth playing a game I could download and play locally or stream in-house using Steam/Moonlight/Rainway, etc. But it would still be nice to have that option when traveling.
It might look like Steve did all the heavy lifting; but trust me, the engineers at Apple did all the work and Steve got all the public praise for it. He clearly fooled you.
Steve had a long history of being a scummy prick and it ultimately did him in when he refused actual treatment for his cancer.