[Verge] Microsoft blames Apple for its delayed Xbox mobile store

Topher

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Microsoft has filed support for Epic Games' fight with Apple, as it wants to launch new Xbox mobile improvements.

A year ago Xbox president Sarah Bond revealed that Microsoft was planning to launch a new Xbox mobile web store in July 2024. That never happened. I've been wondering what the hold up has been over the past year, and it seems we might have an answer: Apple.

Microsoft filed an amicus brief late on Tuesday, in support of Epic Games' ongoing fight with Apple's control over the App Store. The brief takes issue with Apple's attempt to overturn the injunction that allows Epic and other developers to freely advertise alternative payment methods in their apps, and not have to pay Apple additional fees for purchases made outside of apps.

It's a key ruling that has already allowed Fortnite to return to the App Store in the US, complete with the ability for Epic Games to link out to its own payment system inside the game. Microsoft has wanted to offer a similar experience for its Xbox mobile store, but it says its solution "has been stymied by Apple." Here's how Microsoft explains it:

The district court's injunction allows Apple to maintain its in-app exclusivity but at least should have enabled Microsoft to offer consumers a workable solution by launching its own online store — accessible via link-out — for in-app items to be purchased off-app and used in games or other apps. And that is what Microsoft wants to do. But even this solution has been stymied by Apple. Prior to the district court's most recent order, Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple's new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft's communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.

The court ruling makes it possible for Microsoft to now launch its Xbox mobile store, but it's clear that the software giant also wants to ensure Apple's appeal against the ruling isn't successful. If Microsoft did launch its Xbox mobile store and then Apple won a temporary stay, it may have to pull that store pending the appeal process.

Microsoft even notes in its filing that "Apple makes no argument that the technical or policy changes cannot be undone," so it's urging the ruling to be enforced pending Apple's appeal. "Microsoft's own experience managing app stores confirms that Apple's policies could be restored if Apple ultimately prevails on appeal."

The court ruling also impacts Microsoft's main Xbox mobile app. "Similarly, Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices," says Microsoft in its filing. "Apple's policies have restricted Microsoft's ability to offer these functionalities together; the injunction allows Microsoft to explore this possibility."

Microsoft started rolling out the ability to purchase games and DLC inside the Xbox mobile app last month, but it had to remove the remote play option to adhere to Apple's App Store policies. You can't currently buy an Xbox game in the Xbox mobile app on iOS and then stream it inside that same app. You have to manually navigate to the Xbox Cloud Gaming mobile website on a browser to get access to cloud gaming.

Sarah Bond also announced plans to let players purchase and play games within the Xbox app on Android in October, just days after a court ruled that Google must crack open Android to third-party app stores. The feature was supposed to arrive in November, but Bond then blamed a "temporary administrative stay" for holding it back.



Melissa Mccarthy Fight GIF by Saturday Night Live
 
Sarah Bond also announced plans to let players purchase and play games within the Xbox app on Android in October, just days after a court ruled that Google must crack open Android to third-party app stores. The feature was supposed to arrive in November, but Bond then blamed a "temporary administrative stay" for holding it back.

I always wondered why that wasn't in the Xbox app. It never even occurred to me that it wasn't allowed. That's completely ridiculous.

That would be like MS taking a 30% cut of anything sold on any site in your web browser as long as its in Windows. Completely absurd. I wasn't really grasping the situation with all the talk of Fortnite, but now I get why Epic and MS are fighting this. MS can't even sell console games without paying Apple; games that have nothing to do with mobile. It's just the app functioning like a basic website. Phones have replaced PCs for most people for basic shopping and you can't do any of that without paying Apple and Google? That's the most absurd monopoly power I've ever heard of. That completely eclipses anything MS has ever done with Windows. Phones should be treated like PCs for commerce. These aren't walled garden game systems. What a joke.
 
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The feature was supposed to arrive in November, but Bond then blamed a "temporary administrative stay" for holding it back.

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I remember reading about that at the time and it sounded like they were going to launch a glorified web page where you could sign in and buy things. It seemed like the sort of project a team works on so they appear busy when the upper leadership doesn't have any real direction for the team, and is hoping if they just let them keep working something profitable will happen...
 
I always wondered why that wasn't in the Xbox app. It never even occurred to me that it wasn't allowed. That's completely ridiculous.

That would be like MS taking a 30% cut of anything sold on any site in your web browser as long as its in Windows. Completely absurd. I wasn't really grasping the situation with all the talk of Fortnite, but now I get why Epic and MS are fighting this. MS can't even sell console games without paying Apple; games that have nothing to do with mobile. It's just the app functioning like a basic website. Phones have replaced PCs for most people for basic shopping and you can't do any of that without paying Apple and Google? That's the most absurd monopoly power I've ever heard of. That completely eclipses anything MS has ever done with Windows. Phones should be treated like PCs for commerce. These aren't walled garden game systems. What a joke.

I'm with you on this. I don't understand how I can purchase games for my PS5 using the app, I can purchase items on Amazon using the app, but Microsoft can't. I have also been using a 3rd party Xbox Cloud streaming app, which I bought for $5 on the App Store which Apple approved…but they won't approve it when Microsoft is involved?

This still makes no sense to me.
 
I remember reading about that at the time and it sounded like they were going to launch a glorified web page where you could sign in and buy things. It seemed like the sort of project a team works on so they appear busy when the upper leadership doesn't have any real direction for the team, and is hoping if they just let them keep working something profitable will happen...
The Xbox app would basically function as a portable version of your console. Buy things, set up downloads, look through GP library, or click it and it just loads the cloud version.
 
I'm with you on this. I don't understand how I can purchase games for my PS5 using the app, I can purchase items on Amazon using the app, but Microsoft can't. I have also been using a 3rd party Xbox Cloud streaming app, which I bought for $5 on the App Store which Apple approved…but they won't approve it when Microsoft is involved?

This still makes no sense to me.

It's becuase Xbox want you to be able to actually play those games on the same device via streaming. So as far as apple are concerned, that changes the picture entirely.
 
but it had to remove the remote play option to adhere to Apple's App Store policies.
Well, PlayStation made a remote PS remote app to circumvent this. PlayStation has two apps. Xbox could make a remote app instead of pushing you to a web browser.
 
It's becuase Xbox want you to be able to actually play those games on the same device via streaming. So as far as apple are concerned, that changes the picture entirely.

But I already do that with a 3rd party app, available on the App Store, called XBPlay.

I just loaded up Oblivion Remastered and included the iPad information on the top of the screen to show that Apple already approved this. I just don't understand why Microsoft can't do it, but others can.

WijaplH.jpeg
 
I'm with you on this. I don't understand how I can purchase games for my PS5 using the app, I can purchase items on Amazon using the app, but Microsoft can't. I have also been using a 3rd party Xbox Cloud streaming app, which I bought for $5 on the App Store which Apple approved…but they won't approve it when Microsoft is involved?

This still makes no sense to me.
I think the PS5 situation is similar. You can buy games in the PlayStation app but you have to use a different app to remote play them on your console. Microsoft originally allowed Xbox remote play within their app and now that they're adding game purchases in app you have to remote play a different way. Personally I like having remote play in app better than in app purchases since I play more often than I buy, but I know I don't speak for everyone.
 
Same reason as the Fortnite\Epic Store. If you can spend money in those inside stores and Apple doesn't get a cut, it's ruled out

It's bullshit
 
But I already do that with a 3rd party app, available on the App Store, called XBPlay.

I just loaded up Oblivion Remastered and included the iPad information on the top of the screen to show that Apple already approved this. I just don't understand why Microsoft can't do it, but others can.

WijaplH.jpeg

That's a 3rd party streaming app where you don't actually purchase the games through the app.
 
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But I already do that with a 3rd party app, available on the App Store, called XBPlay.

I just loaded up Oblivion Remastered and included the iPad information on the top of the screen to show that Apple already approved this. I just don't understand why Microsoft can't do it, but others can.

WijaplH.jpeg
XBPlay is great. I use it on Steam Deck. It's probably allowed because the XBPlay app doesn't earn money from in app game sales.
 
I always wondered why that wasn't in the Xbox app. It never even occurred to me that it wasn't allowed. That's completely ridiculous.

That would be like MS taking a 30% cut of anything sold on any site in your web browser as long as its in Windows. Completely absurd. I wasn't really grasping the situation with all the talk of Fortnite, but now I get why Epic and MS are fighting this. MS can't even sell console games without paying Apple; games that have nothing to do with mobile. It's just the app functioning like a basic website. Phones have replaced PCs for most people for basic shopping and you can't do any of that without paying Apple and Google? That's the most absurd monopoly power I've ever heard of. That completely eclipses anything MS has ever done with Windows. Phones should be treated like PCs for commerce. These aren't walled garden game systems. What a joke.
Yes, Linux phones need to step their game up. No more proprietary OSs with embedded crap like iOS, Android, or Windows.
 
XBPlay is great. I use it on Steam Deck. It's probably allowed because the XBPlay app doesn't earn money from in app game sales.
Thanks for clarifying. I get it, but don't agree with it…of course, Apple doesn't ask for my opinion.

The iPad version does have a slight lag, but the Steam Deck version is amazing and since you're just streaming, I can usually get 6+ hours of battery life out of it!
 
Thanks for clarifying. I get it, but don't agree with it…of course, Apple doesn't ask for my opinion.

The iPad version does have a slight lag, but the Steam Deck version is amazing and since you're just streaming, I can usually get 6+ hours of battery life out of it!
When Xbox removed remote play from the Xbox app I switched over to XBPlay and I feel the slight lag, too.
 
Hey Microsoft- Ya know you could update Windows Xbox app while you wait. You don't have to launch everything at the same time.
 
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I buy my Steam, PS5 and even Nintendo Switch games through my phone, I don't really understand Microsoft's attitude going full Epic Store "but they don't allow us" rather than finding solutions
 
I buy my Steam, PS5 and even Nintendo Switch games through my phone, I don't really understand Microsoft's attitude going full Epic Store "but they don't allow us" rather than finding solutions

You can already buy Xbox games through your phone using the web browser.
 
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