350°

Xbox Project xCloud on Android is Almost Flawless | Gamerheadquarters

With home network testing Xbox Project xCloud on Android is almost flawless streaming the games to your device without the need for a console.

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gamerheadquarters.com
Jin_Sakai1974d ago

Please tell me the magic that xCloud uses that others aren’t so I can believe it’s nearly flawless.

darthv721974d ago

The magic is the strength and reach of their network. I havent used stadia so i have no experience but i have used PSNow as well as remote play and both do okay for themselves but since being in the xc beta it is really good even on my old S6 and ATT 45mbps internet. MS has really put forth a lot of funding to build a strong backbone for their data centers and it shows in how quick and easy it is to jump into a game from my phone.

I can see why Sony would partner with them to help with their streaming needs.

rainslacker1974d ago

So strength and reach of network. In other words, it's going to depend on if you're within the cherry zone of where their servers are located? In other words, it's performance is going to be dependent on other factors?

The magic isn't about it working better, just that it an work better for more people if what you say is the case. This kind of sounds like it's not the best solution for the masses, because one's experience is going to be anecdotal.

GottaBjimmyb1974d ago

@rainslacker yea, that is how things work, more densely populated areas have the benefit of more advanced infrastructure. Not very hard to understand and not new. IDK where the idea that everyone needs to be able to have something or it shouldn't exist has come from...

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KillBill1974d ago

Key words that say it all "strong backbone".

darthv721974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Rain, I am in Sacramento California... I'd hardly call that a cherry zone (not with our shithead governor) but it is fairly close to the bay area which is probably where the central valley server farm is located. But the takeaway here is I'm also using ATT which doesnt have the best track record for speed and performance and yet I still get a good result on the beta. So somewhere between MS and me there is magic happening and it certainly isnt ATT.

Christopher1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

***that is how things work, more densely populated areas have the benefit of more advanced infrastructure***

Someone should inform Houston, Texas about this concept.

***Rain, I am in Sacramento California***

You have ISPs in your area that provide 1000Mbps rates. That's inside a bubble. That's better than what I've gotten in the DMV region (400Mbps up/down) and in Houston (250Mbps down, 5Mbps up). I'm assuming your up is not 1000Mbps potential, but it's gotta be way more than the 4k required 20Mbps.

rainslacker1973d ago

Except the point is, people's experience will vary. What may suck for one customer on one service, may work great on another service. Lots of dependencies to say if streaming will work for someone, and it's been said often, so MS "magic" as darth explained seems more like a matter of circumstance for the user.

I mean, unless people should just move somewhere where the internet doesn't suck. Kind of remember that notion not going over too well some years back.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 1973d ago
Sonyslave31974d ago

Ms got that azure network that Sony and Nintendo are using.

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King_Noctis1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Instead of asking the question in a mocking tone, maybe sign up for the beta, wait for the invitation to arrive, download the app, and try it out yourself?

I know, that takes a whole lotta effort than just coming here and mocking the service.

MadLad1974d ago

@traecy

Nah. Noctis was just being logical and straightforward. Your take on it though ..

Jin_Sakai1974d ago

“Instead of asking the question in a mocking tone, maybe sign up for the beta, wait for the invitation to arrive, download the app, and try it out yourself?”

I don’t have a way of testing the service. Maybe I’ll wait for a DF technical analysis? Regardless, there’s no magic happening that doesn’t plague all other streaming services. If there is please inform me.

shiva11974d ago

@Sakai

"I don’t have a way of testing the service. Maybe I’ll wait for a DF technical analysis? Regardless, there’s no magic happening that doesn’t plague all other streaming services. If there is please inform me"

When u r really waiting for PS5 goodness with those blue glasses on, you would definetely not have a way to see what other colours look like.

You just need to take those glasses off and put some transparent ones to see the world.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1974d ago
SPEAKxTHExTRUTH1974d ago

As if someone with a PS5 avatar would be satisfied with ANY positive MS news.

1974d ago
Jin_Sakai1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

@SPEAKxTHExTRUTH

“As if someone with a PS5 avatar would be satisfied with ANY positive MS news.”

Now we’re bringing avatars into the equation? I just call BS when I see it.

You want to make an argument then instead hitting the disagree button and going off topic tell me the magic happening that doesn’t plague all game streaming services that supposedly make xCloud a near flawless experience.

Stadia was so fast that they used the buzzword “negative latency” and we see how that went.

NeoGamer2321974d ago

Why don't you just watch the video. You don't have to believe. Just watch it and you will see.

1974d ago Replies(1)
SPEAKxTHExTRUTH1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Why not go research the “magic” yourself instead of low key trolling and being lazy

lazyboyblue1974d ago

It works. That's the only magic it needs.
That and Microsoft aren't forcing it on anybody or pitching it as the future of gaming. It's just there if you want it.

1974d ago
SyntheticForm1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

@Jin

Not sure about "magic" but they do have quite a solid infrastructure, and that goes a long way. So far in fact that Sony, a direct competitor, will be taking advantage of that tried and true avenue, using it themselves, but not before paying for it.

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+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 1973d ago
timotim1974d ago

Microsoft's world wide reach dwarfs both Sony and Google. Where's your nearest datacenter...that's a major component. This is why PS chose to partner with Microsoft on that front.

Ricegum1974d ago

Luckily the majority of PlayStation owners aren't interested in streaming games.

Ripsta7th1974d ago

then why da f did they make PS NOW?

1974d ago
AnubisG1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

@Vokun,

If MS is going down this path, there won't be an Xbox platform within 10 years. This will be their last physical console and after that Xbox will be a "virtual" console that will be able to be reached from any device. Than slowly it will become something else and you will have zero choices but will have to put up with digital and streaming and your gaming will be up to your internet speeds or availability. Also, Xbox was dead last in every single generation it has taken part in. So what are you talking about? Playstation has always been and always will be the superior console experience.

ReadyPlayer221974d ago

Sony would be stupid NOT to expand PS Now into next gen. I guarantee it'll be a talking point for them as it will for MS. Especially when you have big money players like Google and reportedly Amazon coming into the market.

343_Guilty_Spark1974d ago

I thought they all have PS NOW

timotim1974d ago

You will be in for a rude awakening when you see how Sony expands on PS Now in the future. It doesn't really matter what you think "PlayStation owners" are interested in, when Sony themselves are...

1974d ago
Kurt Russell1974d ago

Maybe the majority are not interested. But as a Playstation owner myself, I am, it will be incredibly useful to fit within my current lifestyle.

akbennyewu1974d ago

And luckily the vast majority of all gamers don't give a shit about VR, but we don't get into that fact ever when talking about innovating features.

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 1974d ago
GottaBjimmyb1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Yea, and Amazon absolutely blows both google and MS away, so if they ever were interested in doing so, they could compete. They seem to have dipped their toes in a few times, but could be interesting.

1974d ago
KillBill1974d ago

Only in scope of sales. Amazon markets to a lot but infrastructure wise Azure has the wider footprint covering many more regions with more data centers. Each of the major public clouds has their own market focus and the reason Sony chose Azure is simply because it is the best cloud system for what console gaming needs. https://www.forbes.com/site...

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NeoGamer2321974d ago

I wouldn't say Microsoft dwarfs google. MS seems to have 55 data centers worldwide and Google about 22 (Did quick counts on their web sites).

Double in those numbers is not dwarfing. People need to pay attention to Google. They are a big cloud player. Amazon and MS are the top dogs right now, but Google has both the capability and skills to be up there with them.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1974d ago
PS4Gamer19841974d ago

Legit question. Why is there endless love for Xcloud but endless hate for Stadia?

GottaBjimmyb1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Honestly, I think the reason is two-fold:
1. MS doesn't often let their product lines die, so it is a safer bet to invest in the ecosystem.
2. Xcloud is a direct platform alternative where all purchased content can be used on your console, PC or other devices. Stadia is streaming only.

Basically, flexibility and brand strength. Google has done some really cool things, but they have really weakened their brand, at least when putting their name on a product, it doesn't really add much to it.
Nexus, google health, google talk, google hangouts, picasa, inbox etc, etc, etc.

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KillBill1974d ago

Had to down vote you on that simply because in the past MS is actually known for putting their toes into a product line and then when things turned in the slightest they cannibalized assets and dropped products like a hot potato. Just to recall Zune and Nokia to see that history full blown. Their current market plan is to stop doing exactly that but they are not known yet for having reached that certainty point they want.

The reason Stadia is getting hit hard is because they are doing what MS stopped doing. They aren't putting enough focus behind the project and treating it with less emphasis than it needs to survive. MS has a new marketing focus that is directly focused on what xCloud and their Azure has to offer. As you mentioned with the push MS is doing towards an eco system with their product use that allows a wider availability and potential bigger push. Microsoft is trying to do what Facebook did where they are making it so their product is seen as more than just a single concept and allowing more connectivity.

darthv721974d ago

@bill... you do realize Zune wasnt the only portable media player line to be effected by the ipod... right? There used to be countless brands of media devices before the ipod but it came along and killed them all and Zune was like the last one to stand up to it. In the end it too succumed but not before it proved you could have a quality portable media player that wasnt tied to a single store or system (like the ipod).

But all that doesnt really matter once smart phones started incorporating all of those functions and Zune was rebranded and actually still exists but more of an app in Windows 10. Groove music carried on and is now Xbox music because they have been folding all of these smaller projects under the same xbox umbrella. Sadly the zune hardware is long gone but between the Zune HD and my ipod touch... the Zune was clearly the better of the two. And it still works (unlike my ipod)

AnubisG1974d ago

I hate them both equally if that helps.🤣

MasterCornholio1974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

Because you can still play your games natively with Xbox. Also Stadia is still a mess.

XBox4eva691974d ago

Fanboys. Xcloud isn't any better than anything else, it just has the power of millions of xbots screaming from their caves behind it.

bluefox7551974d ago (Edited 1974d ago )

MS has much better marketing. That's why you see an endless supply of positive articles about them, despite them being in last place. Unfortunately for them, most people see through it I think.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1974d ago
Donnie811974d ago

Xcloud is fantastic but I just don’t see myself using it much. Call me old fashion but I like my controller and a big screen while chilling on the couch

LOGICWINS1974d ago

It really depends. I play my Switch in handheld mode most of the time despite having a big screen TV that upscales the image and makes the colors pop for the simple fact that I’m tired when I get home from work. I just prefer to lay on my bed and play in handheld mode. When I get the Series X, I’ll be playing via XCloud on my iPad very often.

Donnie811974d ago

Yeah that’s a good idea. I got a surface pro that would be sweet for that

autobotdan1974d ago

Yeah at my house I play on my tv. But I use X-Cloud at my work on my lunch hours

ginsunuva1974d ago

.... You can stream to a TV and play with a controller genius

KillBill1974d ago

Though that defeats the purpose of it if your console system is already hooked up to your TV. xCloud is not looking at replacing consoles it is simply looking at being an addition to what you can do with their services.

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80°

Last Chance. Get Forza Horizon 4 at 80% Off Before It Gets Delisted on December 15

Forza Horizon 4 is getting delisted on December 15. To celebrate the end of an era, developers approved 80% off all the editions.

240°

Xbox’s Game Preservation Hypocrisy - Forza Horizon 4

In June we learnt that Forza Horizon 4 was the latest game to suffer from delisting due to licenses expiring (happening December 15th 2024). While the game is discounted to encourage people to pick it up, Microsoft could go so much further with this.

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thexboxguide.com
TheColbertinator209d ago

If the game is online or has on disc DRM, you don't own it. Simple as that.

GreekHobo208d ago

"Why are you booing me? I'm right!" (c) Hannibal Burr.
I don't why are you getting these dislikes, cuz you're right. The only digital store where you own the games is GOG, cuz you literally get install files.
It's been shown multiple times, that activation servies (or DRM if you wanna call it that) on disks tend to go down. All these zoomers downvoting you don't remember GFWL and other crap.

GamerRN208d ago

It's likely due to music and car licenses

gold_drake208d ago (Edited 208d ago )

the biggest issues are definitely the car brand and music licensing in the game.

Knushwood Butt208d ago

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, wants better game preservation across the industry, per Axios.
Spencer wants to see legal emulation, allowing players to access any older games.

Alos88208d ago

Nintendo's lawyers hissing like vampires in sunlight reading this

46player208d ago

They need to sell this franchise to Sony so it can be handled properly.

GreekHobo208d ago

>Sony
>Handled properly

Sir, have you ever thought of doing stand up? You're hilarious.
Should I remind you that GT7 is a live service online only game?
Should I remind you of Sony hiding (until recently) some older PS1 games behind PS Plus highest tier paywall?

rob-GP208d ago

"Sony hiding (until recently) some older PS1 games behind PS Plus highest tier paywall?"

You do realise that it was Capcom that decided to only allow their games to be accessible via PS Plus, and not bought, right...

Sony had literally nothing to do with it, otherwise you'd see other games - such as SIE published titles - doing the same thing.

208d ago
Reaper22_208d ago

Sony probably can't afford it...lol

gold_drake208d ago (Edited 208d ago )

the biggest issues are definitely the car brand and music licensing

However.
if you know that will be an issue down the road, make better deals.

this will definitely be another huge issue for FH5

HellspawnPR1981208d ago

Does the author knows the car manufacturers put limitations to their products license?

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270°

After years of waiting, Xbox Cloud Gaming's "Stream Your Own Game" feature is going live today.

Xbox Cloud Gaming victory: Finally, after years of waiting, you can now play (some of) your Xbox games on Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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windowscentral.com
darthv72219d ago

Oh what timing... now that Portal is offering cloud streaming as well.

OtterX217d ago (Edited 217d ago )

Yea, it's incredible having titles available in handheld streaming format without having to have a console on. This is even better for traveling. I was messing around w it for the first time this morning and the quality was so good, I forgot at times that I was actually streaming. (1gbs) any minor imperfections aren't amplified like they would be on a big screen tv.

I guess XBox users can still do it if they have a Steam Deck, ROG etc, so nobody is left out. Streaming like this is best for handheld play IMO.

crazyCoconuts217d ago

I've tried streaming from various hotel chains while traveling. Hotel WiFi in general sucks and that makes streaming untenable

OtterX216d ago

@crazyCoconuts I guess it depends on your traveling style. I usually stay in privately owned hostels across our country who tend to invest more in good internet. I always check with them before I book.

OtterX216d ago

I just tested the Portal from our new home we're moving into, a 2 hour drive away and in the rural countryside where we have to run Starlink. No fibre available here, but getting 357 mbs, and I'm streaming my PS5 from our 1gbs at our old home. It's streaming perfectly, so not sure what you're going on about @crazycoconuts.

Neonridr217d ago

*for select titles, for premium members only..

Vits217d ago

What bothers me about this new Xbox offering is that you still need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to play. It’s not like Stadia, where you could buy the game and play it without needing a subscription, which was only for extra features. So, who is this really meant for?

To use the service, you’d need to buy the game and keep paying for Game Pass Ultimate. That’s asking a lot, especially since Xbox console owners, who are probably the main audience for this, would likely prefer to just download the game and play it directly on their consoles. There’s a small case to be made for Xbox owners who travel often, but how big could that group really be?

As for Sony, their approach to streaming is also strange. They limit how games can be streamed locally. For example, the mobile app allows screen controls but doesn’t support most physical controllers, only the DualSense and, for some games, the DS4. Their reasoning seems to be that these controllers are needed for the proper features—yet the app lets you play with screen controls, and there’s even a third-party app that works with any controller.

Then there’s the Portal, which is basically a DualSense with a screen and an internet connection. But it’s only now getting cloud streaming, even though there’s no technical reason it couldn’t have had this from the start.

Bathyj217d ago

I was going to ask is this not what Portal is doing?

Are you telling me after all these years of bathering about cloud streaming you couldn't play your own games? WTactualF?

darthv72217d ago (Edited 217d ago )

playing your own games via streaming required the console (ala remote play). Now you can stream games you own without the need for the console to be on.

the xcloud beta was only for gamepass ultimate games and now you can stream ones you own regardless if they are in GPU or not.

Knushwood Butt216d ago

Power of da cloud, just a few years late.

redrum06217d ago

Still, that's for the Playstation Plus Premium/Extra library. This is for streaming games you own, which would've been nice to have on PS as well.

Kyizen217d ago

Different. Portal is catching up to Xbox Cloud Streaming but Xbox is catching up to Portal remote play feature it had at launch

darthv72216d ago

XB has always been able to stream games you own from the console (ala remote play).
The xcloud side let you stream without the console but only games in game pass.
NOW it is letting you stream games you own through xcloud without them needing to be in game pass.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 216d ago
MaximusPrime_217d ago

Thanks goodness for PS Portal. I don't even own Xbox

Giodel217d ago

omg I AM SO SO SO SOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tired of this sites PS fanatism. This is an XBOX post for something XBOX does why do you have to go and mention portal? WHY tell me WHY?

VersusDMC217d ago

All the Fck horizon, Concord, PS5 pro articles and comments really make it a ps fanatic site...are you delusional?

Redgrave217d ago

Such is the nature of any gaming related website. It is inevitable. Unavoidable.

Some do it out of passion, some out of self amusement, and some just wish to sow pointless discourse.

Xbox posts will have Playstation comments and vice versa. Here, there, everywhere.

Nooderus217d ago

VersusDMC Yes i think most of the people that frequent this site have a positive sony bias.

Rockstar217d ago

Alright, calm down! It's just the Internet

redrum06217d ago

I know, N4G is known to be a PS centric fanboy site, it's ridiculous. Instead of constantly downplaying Xbox in whatever they do, maybe just be happy for the other. Competition is a good thing to have.

Michiel1989217d ago

@nooderus I honetly think there's nothing wrong with bias, but it really does seem that critical thinking goes out the window because of it, that part I just don't understand. Wouldn't people want the company/product or what have you to do the best they can instead of accepting everything they shovel towards you because you like them?

Gamingsince1981217d ago

Every site is playstation biased, because every one likes playstation and xbox is dead, what do you expect. That's like saying "this food site has a biased towards good food but everyone hates eating poo, it's so unfair to poo eaters"

cooperdnizzle216d ago

Well if you were on this site like 15 years ago you would know, that it was 99% Xbox fans and if you were Sony fans you had to fight tooth and nail to just say a game was good.

Second people like PS now days because it is by far the better platform.

Nacho_Z216d ago

Only seems that way ("PS fanatism") because Sony is currently on top. Naturally there will be more positive articles and comments about the front runner.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 216d ago
GotGame818217d ago (Edited 217d ago )

Sure, you can't leave the house with it, and play. Wii U did that YEARS ago right out of the box. You can cloud play, literally anywhere.

crazyCoconuts217d ago

Are you sure your Portal... Isn't an Xbox??

TheEroica216d ago

"thank goodness" 😂 what a shill.... The portal is a joke... One that only Sony could get away with on its soft brained fan base.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 216d ago
neomahi217d ago

I really don't think Nintendo and PlayStation need to get caught up in this. Streaming isn't the future, yet and there's no rush to get into that market. If Nintendo is still selling a mass number of Nintendo Switch consoles, what does that tell you? It tells you Xbox is trying to stay relevant and bring everyone along with them, but, like PlayStation's own fans have been telling PlayStation "THATS NOT WHAT WE WANT" and PlayStation is learning the hard way they're not listening to their consumers like they were with the PS3 and PS5. But, this isn't what people want yet. Nintendos dabbling in it and PlayStation has been doing it since they acquired Gaikai, but it's never stuck. People that have been streaming movies and ditching it and collecting physical media again, it's slowly going back in that direction and they'll tell their gaming brethren not to fall for it. Theyre getting physical media and loading it on to their own servers to run on home servers within their walls THEY control, not the corporations that sell them a license, not a product they pay for and own. Imagine buying cloths or your house that can be repossessed whenever Nike, DC, Vans, or Reebok want to take back because it goes out of style when they say so.

Streaming may be the future but it's the distant future. Internet service providers can't even sustain that. Data caps still exist and internet isn't that fast as it's most affordable prices. You're attacking a REALLY niche market that's going to be received as well as the PS5 Pro. Xbox killed their brand with the Xbox One that wanted to integrate streaming into their games to further try and sell and incentivise Xbox Live and we saw that went. Streaming could very well cause the next gaming crash, is how I see it. The rest of the tech world isn't ready for that, especially during yet another trying economy

cooperdnizzle216d ago

Hey dude they can take your house back. It’s called property tax. Paying for something you already own.

But I agree, I have already had digital games taken from me. Sucks

jznrpg217d ago (Edited 217d ago )

More options are good but streaming as a whole has a lot of issues. I will always prefer dedicated hardware. I’m bring my PS with me when I travel. Internet is not good traveling

darthv72217d ago (Edited 217d ago )

A PS5 (even slim) does not make for a good travel companion. Meaning on the go, not in a closed environment like a hotel room, but on a plane or a train or an automobile... this is what works in all of those situations: https://images.purexbox.com...

Its nice an compact but obviously still bigger than a handheld. If you want that 'console' experience that is.

Rashers217d ago

That still requires power leads for both the console and screen.

127maXimus217d ago

Yeah but you would still have to buy them for Xbox.

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