xCloud Archives - Gizmochina

Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) is coming to the Xbox Series S|X and Xbox One this holiday

Habeeb Onawole — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 21:47:03 +0000

Xbox Cloud Gaming or xCloud is Microsoft’s game streaming service. Available on Android, PCs, and iOS, Microsoft is now bringing the service to its game consoles including the last generation Xbox One in time for the holidays.

xCloud allows users to play up to 100 different Xbox games on devices that normally wouldn’t support these games such as your smartphone. Now, the service is being extended to the Xbox Series S|X as well as the Xbox One. The news of the service coming to the last-gen console was first reported in June.

The big winners here are the Xbox One owners as this means they will be able to play (via streaming) next-gen exclusive games not originally released for their console. Microsoft has already revealed that new Xbox games will be available on Game Pass, the subscription service required for Xbox Cloud Gaming, on the same day that they are released.

Xbox Cloud Gaming will also allow users to join their friends in multiplayer games without the need to finish downloading the said game. Games available for streaming on Game Pass will have a cloud icon as seen in the image above. The Verge reports that an update to the Xbox dashboard will roll out to the consoles to include the cloud icon. It is said that users will be able to stream in 1080p at 60fps.

The game streaming service will first be made available to Xbox Insiders this fan before a wider release in time for the holidays.

Alleged Xbox Stream Box prototype images and features leaked online

Habeeb Onawole — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 22:43:48 +0000

The new Xbox Series S and Series X gaming consoles are the best-selling Xbox consoles even amidst the supply issues. However, Xbox is also trying to bring its Xbox Game Pass service to more screens, one of which is TVs.

Xbox said last month that it is working with TV manufacturers to bring the Xbox experience to internet-connected TVs with no extra hardware except for a controller. This app will allow users to access its game streaming service called xCloud on their TVs.

For non-internet-connected TVs, there will be another option – an Xbox streaming device. This device will plug into a TV or external monitor and allow the users to access xCloud. Now, alleged images along with details of a prototype called the Xbox Stream Box have appeared on the internet. We advise that the details below be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Xbox Stream box is coming! pic.twitter.com/t3NY0QnCcu

— Post Up (@PostUp_bbb) July 31, 2021

The image was posted on Twitter by a user that goes by @PostUp_bbb, however, we do not think he is the original source. We will update the post once we get the original source.

The device is a cuboid with sharp corners and a white finish. There is an Xbox logo on top but at the top left corner. The front has a USB-A port and a power button while the rear is home to an ethernet port, a USB-C port, most likely for power, and an HDMI port.

A third image that lists some of the features of the device says that the prototype is from early this year and the design has been modified. It also reveals that it is supposed to launch by the end of this year but that may be unlikely due to global supply (chip) shortages. Regardless, we won’t rule out the possibility of the device still launching this year.

Coming to the features, the streaming box is said to be a little thicker and wider than a deck of playing cards which measures 64mm x 89mm. The Mi TV Stick is 92.4mm long, so we expect the Xbox streaming box to be around the same in length.

When plugged into the TV, users will be able to stream from their game console or from xCloud. They will also be able to connect not only an Xbox controller to the device but a wireless keyboard and mouse too. The Xbox stream box has built-in Wi-Fi or you can plug a cable into the ethernet port on the back. Other features mentioned are support for Party Chat and streaming apps such as HBO and Disney+.

The streaming device is not only useful for those without an internet-connected TV. It will also come in handy for anyone who wants to be able to play on whatever screen is available. For example, you can just plug it into the TV at a hotel or wherever you may be staying during a trip or when on holiday. The only other device you need to bring along is your controller.

Older Xbox consoles will be able to play next-gen games via xCloud

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 01:11:16 +0000

When a new console is announced, manufacturers still support the older consoles for a short while before finally dropping it. When this happens, no new games will be made for them and owners of these older consoles will miss out on next-gen games unless they pick up the new consoles. Microsoft is changing that by bringing its xCloud game streaming service to older Xbox One consoles, thus allowing owners of these older devices to play next-gen games.

During its Xbox+Bethesda E3 event a few days ago, Microsoft announced that its next-gen games will be available on its game streaming service on day one. This means, if you have an active subscription, you will be able to begin playing these games on the very day they are announced.

With xCloud coming to older Xbox One consoles, owners will be able to play these new games which are exclusive to the new generation consoles on their old consoles, thanks to the game streaming service. This wouldn’t have been possible without xCloud since the games will not be released for the older Xbox consoles.

What Xbox is doing here is converting older Xbox One consoles into game streaming devices like a computer or an Android or iOS device. There is no news yet on when the service will be made available but we expect it to happen this year.

Xbox announced last week that it will integrate xCloud into the Xbox app on PCs which means users will not need to access the service through their web browsers. They will also be able to try games via the game streaming service before they download them on their PCs. Of course, to enjoy the game streaming service, PC owners will have to pay for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the $15 per month service that also includes Xbox Live Gold and EA Play.

It also announced last week that it will bring xCloud to the Xbox consoles but it only said it will be a way for users to try games before they download and not as a full game streaming service as it is available on other platforms. However, the latest announcement means that folks can just stream the new games directly if they want.

Microsoft xCloud is coming to iOS and PCs tomorrow but as limited beta

Habeeb Onawole — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 22:32:49 +0000

Last December, Microsoft announced that its game streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming a.k.a. xCloud will be coming to iOS and PCs this year. It has now been confirmed that the service will be available starting tomorrow.

xCloud is Microsoft’s version of game streaming services such as NVIDIA’s GeForce Now and Google’s Stadia. The service was available only on Android devices but will now be available for iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) as well as Windows PCs. Owners of these devices will be able to access the service by going to www.xbox.com/play on their web browsers (Chrome, Edge, or Safari).

While this is good news for those who have been waiting for ages to try out the service, Microsoft is making it an invite-only beta to hose with an existing Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. So only those who are invited will be able to play. Catherine Glucstein, the head of xCloud said in a press statement that “Our plan is to iterate quickly and open up to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in the coming months so more people have the opportunity to play Xbox in all-new ways.”.

Invites will be sent out continuously to players across the 22 countries where the service is available. Those who receive an invite need a compatible Bluetooth or USB-connected controller or can use custom touch controls for more than 50 games. You can see a list of supported controllers here.

Microsoft confirms Xbox cloud gaming is coming to PCs and iOS next year; more countries too

Habeeb Onawole — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:23:42 +0000

Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, xCloud is bundled with its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. With a price tag of $15, users will be able to stream from a library of games on their android phone or tablet wherever they are. The service is similar to Google’s Stadia.

The xCloud game streaming service is limited to just Android devices but Microsoft has announced that it will be coming to iOS and PCs next spring. An official statement published by the tech giant says that they plan to bring the service to more users next year. By expanding to PCs and iOS devices, they can add up to a billion devices to the service.

iOS users will be able to access the service via their mobile browser rather than an app, no thanks to Apple’s App Store restrictions. Instead of an app that acts as a catalog for what you want to stream, Apple wants Microsoft and other game streaming services to list each individual game as an app that users have to download before being able to stream it. Think of it as having to download an app for your favorite show or movie before you can stream it. So 10 shows or movies means 10 apps. Absurd, right?

So to avoid that, Microsoft will allow iOS users to access the service via the web browser just the way other game streaming services such as Stadia and GeForce Now provide their service on iOS.

EDITOR’S PICK: Tencent partners with TCL, Hisense, and others to bring its START Cloud gaming service to TVs

For PCs, the xCloud gaming service will be available via the Xbox app and browser. This means you will be able to jump into an Xbox game while you are at work or hanging out with friends as long as you have your PC with you and a great internet connection.

Game streaming eliminates the need for users to purchase expensive consoles. Users can practically play from anywhere, unlike a console which practically has you tethered to one spot – your home.

Microsoft says it is also expanding the service to new markets. The countries getting the service soon are Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico. So if you live in any of these countries, you should be able to enjoy the service soon.

While Xbox’s head mentioned a few weeks ago that there are plans to bring Xbox games to smart TVs, the press statement didn’t say anything about it. Nevertheless, there are guides on the internet that tell you how you can sideload the Android app onto your Android TV. Do note that it may not turn out well as not only has the streaming service not been designed for TV’s yet, it is also currently capped at 720p resolution.

The post Microsoft confirms Xbox cloud gaming is coming to PCs and iOS next year; more countries too appeared first on Gizmochina.