Microsoft today announced that it will launch its browser-based Xbox cloud gaming service in beta for select testers on iPhone and iPad tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow Microsoft begin sending invitations to select Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play the limited beta version of Xbox cloud gaming for iPhone, iPad and Windows 10 PCs via a web browser. Invitations will be sent out continuously to players in all 22 supported countries. The new in-browser cloud gaming platform will be available at xbox.com/play and will work in Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. Microsoft plans to "quickly improve" the beta and open it to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in the coming months. Games will initially be playable via a controller or touch controls for more than 50 titles. This will be the first time Xbox Game Streaming is available on iPhone and iPad since the service launched exclusively on Android devices last year.
Microsoft xCloud: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription required
Last year, plans to bring an Xbox game streaming app to iOS stalled because Apple's App Store guidelines prohibit apps from streaming multiple games from the cloud through a single app. The reason: Apple sees the inability to verify every game in the service's library as a potential security risk. Game Pass streaming would only be possible if each game was available as its own app under Apple's rules. Microsoft then suggested using a browser instead of an app to get around Apple's App Store rules and still offer the same service. Microsoft believes that creating a browser-accessible service has a number of benefits to make cloud gaming more accessible, as well as streamlining development into a single, universal platform. Microsoft's game streaming service is bundled as part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for 12.99 euros per month and offers more than 100 games. (Image: Microsoft)
