Microsoft’s xCloud, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud game streaming component that doesn’t require a console, is now available on iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, as well as PCs and Macs over the web. Game Pass Ultimate customers can now access games directly from their devices, after an invite-only trial phase that began in mid-April 2021.
xCloud may be accessible on PCs using the Edge and Google Chrome browsers, according to Microsoft. We were able to get it to function on macOS using Microsoft Edge and Safari. There are more than 100 games to choose from, and the service works with Bluetooth or USB controllers. On iOS, it will function as a web-based app via Safari, with the option of using a gamepad or touch controls for some games. In a blog post, Microsoft also announced that xCloud is now powered by Xbox Series X consoles, allowing for 1080p streaming at up to 60 frames per second with a fast enough internet connection.
Apple’s App Store restrictions initially prevented Microsoft’s xCloud, as well as Google’s Stadia and Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud streaming services, from launching on the App Store. Apple eventually found a way to function via the internet by exploiting some gaps (but not without caveats).
Microsoft put its “Designed for Xbox” emblem on one of the greatest mobile gaming devices on the market, Backbone’s One controller, to commemorate the launch. Because it is technically the same, this new edition is physically identical to the previous model, which has been available since late 2020. The physical packaging has been updated to emphasize its Xbox compatibility, and despite the fact that the price has remained unchanged ($99.99), it now includes a complimentary three-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new users, which normally costs $45 on its own. It’s available on the Microsoft Store as well as the Backbone website. The Kishi controller for iPhone has been updated by Razer to incorporate monochromatic buttons and a Game Pass Ultimate trial for new customers.
Backbone recently upgraded its app to include deeper Xbox integration, such as the ability to tag gameplay recorded through xCloud. Within the app, you can edit the footage and share it as a link. It also has a new dynamic Xbox Game Pass feed that will inform you about new titles to try out as well as other recommendations based on your friends’ actions.
