With the launch of the new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S already scheduled and on the way, Microsoft must be working on the next steps to continue growing its ecosystem. And the key seems to be in xCloud, since Phil Spencer has dropped some clues that could be taken as the first indications.
xCloud on all Smart TVs
Thanks to an interview conducted by stratechery to the Microsoft executive, we now know that Microsoft's plans are to carry xCloud to all possible televisions, and for this, the company could be preparing a multimedia device similar to those chromecast and FireTV Stick. In this way, the offer for the user would make it possible to cover especially low prices, since they would only need a subscription to the service and one of the sticks to play directly on their television.
This is something that sounds especially attractive, since gamers could play directly on their television without the need to purchase the new consoles. Obviously the performance would not be exactly the same, but Microsoft knows that there is a large audience that is satisfied with the quality offered by the streaming service.
A free accessory
In addition, Spencer talks about the fact that a Premium mode of the service could even arrive with which the user could benefit from hardware launches. Something like that called Xbox Game Pass Platinum that would be based on the concept of Xbox All Access (the installment payment model for the console and services), with the difference that it would be a permanent subscription with which to constantly receive all the hardware news. It is not yet very clear if it will be offered to all Xbox Game Pass users or if, on the contrary, it will be the beginning of a new modality in installments.
This is still an idea in the air, but considering how they are experimenting with Xbox All Access and how well the idea is taking place in the United States, Microsoft could have an eye on the monthly payment method beyond the software . And it is that seeing the attractiveness of Xbox Game Pass, this type of subscription may be the future of the new generations of consoles.
Sticks… and official application
In any case, the existence of a Stick will not limit the appearance of official applications for Smart TVs, and taking into account the close relationship they have with Samsung, it is very likely that the brand will announce the official xCloud application for Smart TV with Tizen coming very soon.
Taking this into account, we hope that other applications for other types of platforms will follow, since it would be the natural course that the service should take. And, after all, the idea of ​​xCloud is to be able to play from any device.