Microsoft’s goal was to launch its cloud gaming service, xCloud (or Xbox Cloud Gaming), directly on the App Store. But Apple isn’t keen on that idea (even after making some changes to seem like it is). So, like other companies, Microsoft had to use a workaround, utilizing Safari to welcome the service for iOS users.
The company has been working towards a wide release for quite some time. It launched a limited beta earlier this year, allowing gamers to test out the service on iOS devices before the public launch. For those who tried it –even on stable networks– it wasn’t always the smoothest experience. But Microsoft said that would be fixed by the time the wide launch happened.
And, sure enough, that is the case. Hopefully.
Today, Microsoft confirmed that its Xbox Cloud Gaming service is now available for all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers on PC, and that availability on iOS devices via Safari is now available to all as well. The service is available in 22 different countries across the globe. You can use Safari, or the mobile versions of Microsoft’s Edge or Google’s Chrome to access Xbox Cloud Gaming.
At the same time, Microsoft also confirmed that today’s launch also welcomes the arrival of a better overall experience. Instead of being powered by Xbox One X hardware, as it was, the Xbox Cloud Gaming service is now powered by custom Xbox Series X hardware. This should drastically help improve load times. And games should be streaming at up to 1080p at 60fps, too.
From the announcement:
We’ve been upgrading Microsoft datacenters around the globe with the fastest, most powerful Xbox hardware to give you faster load times, improved frame rates, and an experience of a new generation of gaming. To ensure the lowest latency, highest quality experience across the broadest set of devices, we will be streaming at 1080p and up to 60fps. Going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.
It’s been a longtime coming, but it’s here now. Are you planning on playing games with Xbox’s now widely available xCloud service?