"We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players": Microsoft delays new Xbox Android app features on Google Play due to court order

As a long-time Xbox fan with a memory that spans decades of gaming, this latest development has left me both intrigued and a tad frustrated. The promise of seamless gaming experiences across devices, especially on Android, has been tantalizingly close for far too long.

It appears that the anticipated updates for Microsoft’s Xbox app on Android devices, which were initially planned to roll out by the end of 2024 via the Google Play Store, are now expected to be delayed and may not be available until early in the following year.

According to Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, a legal stay issued by American courts has compelled Microsoft to postpone the rollout of game purchasing and playing capabilities within the Xbox app on Android devices. This decision follows an earlier announcement from Bond that these functionalities were expected in November, shortly after Google was mandated to make its app store accessible to third-party competitors in early October.

On Twitter, Bond stated, “At Xbox, we aim to provide players with greater flexibility in terms of where and how they play, such as directly accessing and purchasing games via the Xbox app. I’ve announced that we intend to roll out these features initially on Google Play Store for Android devices in the U.S., while other platforms adjust to cater to consumer preferences.

Because of a temporary hold on our plans ordered by the courts, we can’t introduce these new features right now. Our team has developed the necessary functions and is all set to go live once the court reaches its decision. We’re excited to share these improvements with you, which will offer more options and freedom for players.

Developing…

2024-11-28 01:09

“We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players”: Microsoft delays new Xbox Android app features on Google Play due to court order

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