Microsoft's Xbox Mobile Store Faces Headwinds; Apple Blamed
It seems that the release of Microsoft's much-awaited Xbox mobile store is facing some stern headwinds, and the tech giant is laying down all the blame squarely before Apple, as news reports have recently indicated. The news comes from The Verge, which broke the news that Microsoft has taken its side with Epic Games in the latter's present litigations against Apple by filing an amicus brief.
Though a recent court decision seemed to bring with it the promise of competitor app stores like Epic's and Microsoft's own Xbox mobile store onto iOS devices, Microsoft is not cracking open the champagne just yet. They're said to be concerned that Apple will appeal the ruling, and in order to bolster the current ruling, Microsoft has gone into great detail presenting its argument.
Microsoft's Stance Against Apple
So what's Microsoft's got against Apple. Here's their side, based on the filing:
Microsoft wishes the court to at least allow them to construct their own shop. This shop would allow users to click on a link to buy in-app things outside Apple's system, then to have them available to use within games or other software. That is something Microsoft clearly wishes to do. But they feel Apple has closed even this loophole. Prior to the recent court ruling, Microsoft was not even able to inform customers of alternative methods for purchasing products because of Apple's new regulations. The regulations not only restrict Microsoft from communicating with its customers in the way it wants, but they also cost Microsoft more than they did prior to the court's intervention.
In addition, Microsoft has been keen to allow Xbox app users of iPhones and iPads to purchase games and stream them in-app directly, either from the cloud or other devices. Apple's guidelines have hindered Microsoft from providing these services in conjunction. The recent court decision presents some hope that Microsoft can pursue this. Microsoft also points out that, in their own experience of running app stores, Apple is quite capable of falling back into their old restrictive habits if they do win their appeal.
Launch Plans and Broader Concerns
Actually, the initial plan was that Xbox mobile store is launching July 2024. By the way, keep in mind that at the end of last year, Xbox president Sarah Bond had also previously spoken about concerns with Google, alleging that they were attempting to block the store from launching on Android.
It appears that the war for app store supremacy is barely underway: after Microsoft spoke in favor of greater openness, the tone was redoubled by Epic Games, and Apple still fights in its corner.
