The Future of Xbox Shows Similarities to PC Gaming
- Written by Deep Shikha Content Writer
- Fact-Checked by
In an interview with Polygon , CEO Phil Spencer revealed plans to integrate PC stores such as the Epic Games Store and Itch.io into Xbox, greatly expanding its platform. This strategy will maintain game libraries over generations and enable smooth gaming across both consoles and PCs, making the Xbox gaming experience that much more similar to the PC gaming one.
According to The Verge , Spencer’s vision includes making Xbox consoles capable of running PC games, moving away from the traditional console model, and moving towards a more inclusive and versatile platform. This shift could mean that future Xbox consoles will support a variety of games from different platforms without the need to switch hardware.
Engadget notes that Microsoft’s plan to integrate PC features into Xbox aims to prioritize gamers’ needs. This approach was emphasized during Microsoft’s annual “Spring Showcase” in San Francisco. At this event, Microsoft outlined its commitment to support Universal Windows Applications on future Xbox consoles.
This will allow gamers to play their games across all Microsoft devices without losing access to their existing game libraries.
This PC-like approach to console gaming isn’t entirely new for Microsoft. The company has gradually aligned Xbox with PC gaming standards , aiming to offer gamers more flexibility in how and where they play. Future hardware updates may occur more frequently, similar to smartphone upgrade cycles, which could mean more regular improvements in console technology without forsaking previously purchased games.
One potential downside to this strategy, as noted by Engadget, is the financial implication for gamers who wish to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Frequent hardware upgrades could require purchasing new consoles more often if older models become incapable of running newer games. However, Microsoft has not yet provided details on this.
Furthermore, Microsoft’s plan includes making its Xbox and Windows platforms more attractive to developers by reducing the gap between console and PC game releases. Microsoft also plans to release games simultaneously on Xbox and Windows, as seen with titles like Quantum Break,” to ensure a consistent and unified gaming experience across all its platforms.
Despite the ambitious plans, skepticism remains, partly due to past difficulties such as the Games for Windows Live initiative. Yet, under Spencer’s leadership and with backing from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the company is committed to overcoming these challenges and making Windows and Xbox the best platforms for gaming.
As Microsoft continues to develop its gaming strategy, the convergence of Xbox and PC gaming could redefine the landscape of the gaming industry, influencing how games are developed, played, and preserved across platforms. This approach not only aims to enhance the gaming experience but also promises to extend the life of gamers’ existing libraries, ensuring that their investments remain valid and accessible regardless of the hardware they choose.
WhatsApp and Threads Removed From China’s Apple App Store
- Written by Deep Shikha Content Writer
- Fact-Checked by
Apple has recently removed several high-profile messaging apps from its App Store in China, including WhatsApp and Threads. The decision was made following directives from the Cyberspace Administration of China, which expressed concerns over national security.
Reuters reported that Signal and Telegram were also no longer available on Apple’s App Store in China, with app tracking firms Qimai and AppMagic confirming the removals. However, Apple has not yet acknowledged these specific takedowns.
Meta confirmed the removal of WhatsApp and Threads to TechCrunch . However, the company directed further inquiries to Apple.
Signal’s president, Meredith Whittaker, explained to TechCrunch that Signal was already inaccessible in China due to the Great Firewall. She noted that while the app could be downloaded in the past, users in China couldn’t register or send messages.
Whittaker pointed out that this restriction makes it less impactful whether Signal is available on the App Store. Despite this, there was a time when Signal functioned normally in China without needing a VPN, as reported by TechCrunch in 2021, but restrictions have tightened since then.
TechCrunch also pointed out China’s inconsistent censorship practices, highlighting the removal of WhatsApp and Threads. WhatsApp provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, while Threads functions as a microblogging platform. Both apps serve distinct purposes but faced similar censorship actions.
Threads, launched in early July last year, was quickly blocked by China’s Great Firewall. Despite this, many users in China used VPNs to bypass the block and download it, making Threads one of the top 5 apps on Apple’s China App Store last summer, according to TechCrunch.
Due to its popularity, Threads attracted more scrutiny from China’s state censors, who may have pressured Apple to remove the app from the store to limit its use.
According to Reuters, the removal of WhatsApp, Threads, Signal, and Telegram from Apple’s China App Store indicates China’s increasing unwillingness to tolerate foreign messaging apps that it cannot control. This also shows that Apple has less flexibility in operating within China.
“We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” Apple said in an email to Reuters.
Despite the removal of some apps, Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, remain available on Apple’s China App Store. This reflects China’s complex and selective rules about app availability. Also, there is a significant difference between apps that are actively blocked by government firewalls and those not listed on the App Store, adding even more complexity to digital access control in China.
