Microsoft hasn’t been shy about a future when it sells Xbox hardware that completely relies on streaming, but the company’s goals in cloud gaming have so far primarily been limited to mobile and building on the console experience. Finally having a release date for the first Xbox streaming gadget may be possible now.
According to a report this week from GamesBeat , Microsoft intends to introduce the first Xbox streaming device within the following 12 months. This was announced about a year after Microsoft originally made a hint about it.
According to the story, this Xbox streaming device will resemble a puck, much like Google’s Chromecast or comparable Amazon and Roku streaming devices. The device would reportedly support movie and TV streaming services but would be largely focused on streaming games through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
When this product is released, Xbox Game Streaming, commonly known as xCloud, will be made officially available on TVs other than Microsoft’s own consoles for the first time. Although technically possible, there are several issues and very little compatibility with the Android app on Android TV OS.
Additionally, according to one story, Microsoft and Samsung are collaborating to make an Xbox app available for Samsung’s Tizen-powered TVs. Earlier this year, Samsung apps were also unveiled by Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now. It seems that the Samsung app will also launch sometime in the coming year.
This new puck, according to Tom Warren and the GamesBeat story, is a part of Microsoft’s Xbox Everywhere program. It appears that this also entails xCloud supporting new markets, games, and gadgets. Additionally, he thinks that Microsoft would enable gamers to broadcast their purchased Xbox games via xCloud, which is currently not possible. The only games you can stream right now using xCloud are those that are included in Xbox Game Pass, along with Fortnite, which was only recently added.
But notice that this timeline isn’t quite brand-new. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer predicted more than a year ago that this product would be released within the next 12 months and that nothing would stop us from doing so.
FTC: We employ income-generating auto affiliate connections. READ MORE ABOUT XBOX GAME STREAMING. More.
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:
