Technology
You can play Xbox games on your iPhone or iPad THIS week – how to do it
GAMERS can now play blockbuster Xbox games on their iPhones and iPads using a new app.
Dubbed Xbox Cloud Gaming, the platform promises to let you play games anywhere, anytime by plugging your mobile into an Xbox One controller.
- Follow our PS5 live blog for stock updates
- Read the latest stories in Xbox
- Read the latest gaming news
After testing the software for several months, Microsoft rolled out Cloud Gaming to iPhones and iPads on Tuesday, according to an official blog post.
A handful of invitations have been sent out to users of its console cloud streaming service, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Recipients will have the opportunity to test a limited “beta” version of the service on their Apple devices before general release in the coming months.
There are more than 100 titles available to play.
Xbox Cloud Gaming runs on games console – specifically, Xbox One X – hardware modified to run in a data centre.
Games are streamed over the internet straight to your phone or tablet, without the need for a console or TV.
It promises to let users play Xbox games on any device with a screen and an internet connection.
Microsoft is still testing the complex technology, but hopes to have an iOS version ready for release this year.
Video game streaming – how does it work?
We explain it all…
- When you watch a movie, the images you see are already prepared
- That’s why very unsophisticated computers inside your TV, DVD player, or computer can playback film footage
- But video games render the visuals in real-time, because a game never knows what you’ll do next
- That means you need much more computing heft to produce game visuals, compared to a standard movie
- So if you want amazing 4K PC-style graphics, you’ll need to fork out for an expensive computer
- Alternatively, you could use game streaming technology
- The idea is that a company like Google, Microsoft or Sony would handle the generation of the visuals on powerful computers at its own HQ
- Then it would send what’s effectively a video of that game to your smartphone
- You tap and play, and those commands get sent back to Microsoft or Sony, which then inputs them into the game, and sends you the visuals again
- Because modern internet connections are so fast, this all happens in milliseconds
- The resulting effect is 4K PC-style graphics on a smartphone – which is only possible because it’s not the phone itself rendering the graphics
- It also means that you could potentially be playing an Xbox or PlayStation game on your console, and then leave the house and carry on playing using your iPhone
- This sort of technology could eventually kill off gaming consoles for good, because all you’d need is a TV with game-streaming tech built in, and a controller to play with
- But game streaming is still trying to get off the ground
- Sony bought a game-streaming called OnLive, but shut it down in 2015
- Google launched the relatively successful Stadia last year
- And Microsoft is currently preparing to launch its xCloud streaming service
An app launched on Android in 2020. The iOS version will run through a browser app, such as Safari, Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
According to Microsoft’s blog post, more Games Pass Ultimate subscribers will be invited to the beta as the technology is developed.
To take part, you’ll need a compatible Bluetooth or USB-connected controller to start playing.
You can also play using custom touch controls. Around 50 of the 100-game library currently support touch controls.
Most read in Gaming
Gaming tips and tricks
Looking for tips and tricks across your favourite consoles and games? We have you covered…
- Can you play PS4 games on PS5?
- PS5 vs Xbox Series X – which is better?
- Everything you need to know about Roblox
- Most popular Roblox games
- Best video games for 2021
- How to tame a boar in Fortnite
- Top 100 rated players in FIFA 21
- Best FM21 wonderkids
- How many people play Fortnite?
- Full weapon tier list from Valheim
In other news, Apple experts have leaked some interesting details about the 2022 iPhone lineup.
Facebook is trialling a video call speed dating app called Sparked.
And, Google is bringing out a feature to help Android users avoid collisions while texting and walking.
Are you excited for iOS 14.5? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk
