Sep 11, 2020 Apple Revises Its xCloud Ban, but Microsoft Isn't Happy. Apple now allows game streaming services on the App Store, but the new rules are strict. Recently, Microsoft expressed its dismay when Apple banned Project xCloud from the App Store. Now, Apple has revised its guidelines to allow game streaming services, but Microsoft isn't pleased with the changes. Apple's App Store guidelines have changed, may allow xCloud and Stadia. A new section in the App Store guidelines seems to indicate Microsoft and Google now have a way to bring xCloud and Stadia. Microsoft has finally made its xCloud game streaming service widely available across PCs, Macs and iOS devices. According to a blog post from the gaming giant, xCloud will now be widely available. May 05, 2021 Microsoft tried to launch its xCloud game streaming service on the App Store for iPhone and iPad users, but Apple rejected the app due to its strict guidelines. Now emails revealed in the Epic vs. The Gamepass app though (beta or non beta) has horrible pixilation and blurriness however the input lag is great and bluetooth audio is normal. Now if they combined them both the experience on XCloud would be unreal! I find the app also complains about the connection. I just upgraded from Cable 100/10Mbps to Fiber 1/1Gbps and it still complains.
Apple’s iOS walled garden is facing its most serious assault yet in the ongoing Epic Games v. Apple trial. Microsoft exec Lori Wright told the court yesterday that Microsoft engaged with Apple to understand why the xCloud game streaming client wasn’t permitted in the App Store, The Verge reports. To illustrate its argument, Microsoft used its Shadow streaming platform, which Apple has allowed in the store. According to Wright, Apple then went and pulled Shadow instead of admitting it was applying the rules arbitrarily.
The trial is centered on Apple’s decision to remove Fortnite from the App Store, an action that Epic openly invited when it added a direct purchase option for the game’s V-bucks virtual currency. This runs afoul of Apple’s developer policy, which requires apps to use its payment platform, thereby guaranteeing Apple a 30 percent cut of all sales. This has been a thorn in the side of developers for years, but Epic is the first developer with enough cash and power to fight back (thanks to the incredible success of Fortnite).
While Epic was bickering with Apple, Microsoft was having a parallel disagreement with Apple about its xCloud game streaming service. As Epic is out to prove Apple is behaving in an anti-competitive manner, Microsoft became a natural ally. Google encountered the same iOS roadblocks with Stadia, but Epic is also embroiled in a legal battle over the Play Store. It’s not surprising the company’s lawyers turned to Microsoft to help make its case instead of Google.
Wright explained that Microsoft appealed Apple’s decision to block xCloud by pointing out that Netflix and Microsoft’s own Shadow have similar business models, and yet both of those apps were allowed in the App Store. In the case of Shadow, users can run a virtual desktop with a high-end PC capable of game streaming. As a result, Apple pulled the Shadow app from its store. Wright insists it wasn’t Microsoft’s intention to tattle on Shadow, and they had no expectation Apple would react the way it did.
Shadow was able to get reinstated to the App Store by framing it as a full virtual PC. While Shadow is capable of playing games, it doesn’t sell any directly. The iPhone maker eventually added clear rules about game streaming platforms on the App Store, but the restrictions would hobble a service like xCloud. Microsoft decided instead to rebuild the service for the browser and skip the App Store entirely. Airing Apple’s dirty laundry probably won’t change how it operates, but it could well turn the case in Epic’s favor.
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Xcloud Ios Beta
Updated 06/28/21: Xbox Cloud Gaming through the browser is now available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This article has been updated throughout with the latest information from Microsoft.
Top Mac App
Last year, we wrote about how Apple’s restrictive App Store rules would cause millions of gamers to miss out on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service (née xCloud). Microsoft later updated the Xbox app to stream games over your local network from your own Xbox, but that’s not the same thing as a cloud gaming service where you don’t need to download or install games at all.
After months of hand-wringing and probably back-room negotiations, Microsoft finally announced that it would build a web-based solution for devices on which it can’t provide an app, like iPhone and iPad. After a short invite-only beta period, Microsoft has announced that all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming on Mac, iPhone, or iPad. To play, simply visit xbox.com/play using Edge, Chrome, or Safari browsers on your Apple device.
Xcloud Mac App
Most games are made to be played with a controller, but Apple’s devices support modern Xbox controllers just fine. Just sync it to your Mac as you would any Bluetooth device, or plug in via USB. On iPhone or iPad, we have a guide to pairing your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S controller.
In addition to the broad availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly code-named xCloud) to all subscribers, Microsoft has upgraded the servers that run the games in the cloud to new hardware based on the Xbox Series X. This means faster performance, much quicker loading times, and better visual quality. Games will stream at 1080p and 60fps, but the company says that “Going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.”
On Xbox, all saved games are always synced to the cloud, as is other user data like friends lists and achievements. So everything you do on a console will be there waiting for you in the cloud, and vice-versa.
Xcloud Mac Application
The Xbox Cloud Gaming expansion comes along with an expansion of Xbox-ready game accessories for iPhones. The popular Razer Kishi controller, originally only for Android phones, now has an MFi-certified version for iPhones. The new Backbone One controller for iPhone features a dedicated button to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming web app. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering three-month free trial to new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with the purchase of either controller.