administrative stay Archives

BetaBeacon

April 23, 2025

Xbox will soon let you purchase games in its mobile app

Xbox is now allowing beta testers to purchase games, DLC, and more directly from its app on Android and iOS. The update also includes the ability to sign up for Game Pass, but remote play within the Xbox app will no longer be available.

AppWizard

December 3, 2024

Microsoft accuses Google of blocking direct game purchases on Xbox Android app

Microsoft has delayed the launch of its Android app portal for purchasing and playing Xbox games following a court ruling against Google's policies on Android applications. The Xbox app aims to allow users to purchase games for streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming, taking advantage of a recent court order requiring Google to stop blocking third-party storefronts on Android. Xbox President Sarah Bond stated the company's commitment to providing players with more options, initially through the Google Play Store in the U.S. Microsoft has also enhanced the experience for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, allowing them to stream games outside of the subscription service, while currently directing mobile users to purchase titles via a web interface to avoid commissions from app stores. The announcement came after a U.S. judge ruled against Google in an antitrust case, although Google received a temporary stay on the enforcement of the ruling. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Google's 30 percent commission as detrimental to game streaming profits. The situation has attracted regulatory scrutiny, with Apple beginning to allow mobile cloud gaming apps on its app store due to legislative changes in the EU. Microsoft's app represents a strategic effort to expand the Xbox brand beyond traditional console gaming, supported by a new advertising campaign.

BetaBeacon

November 29, 2024

Microsoft have an Android Xbox Store ‘ready to go’, but say they can’t go live yet

The Xbox Mobile Store launch on Android has been delayed due to a temporary administrative stay granted by the courts. Microsoft is waiting for the court order to take effect before launching the store.

BetaBeacon

November 29, 2024

Microsoft Unable to Launch Xbox Store on Android Due to Court Order Stay

The launch of features that would allow Android users to buy and play games directly from the Xbox app has been delayed due to a court's stay on the Play Store overhaul order.

BetaBeacon

November 29, 2024

Xbox blames legal issue stopping the purchase and play of games on Android as Google fires shots

Microsoft has attributed a delay in the ability to purchase and play Xbox games on Android to a new legal issue, with Google offering a different perspective on the situation.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

Xbox Vs Android: Can Games Be Sold Through The Xbox App

Microsoft and Google are in conflict over the sale of Xbox games via the Xbox Games app on Android devices. Sarah Bond from Xbox confirmed that the functionality for in-app purchases is developed but stalled due to a court-issued administrative stay. Microsoft wants Google to allow direct game sales through the app, while Google claims such capabilities have always existed. Currently, game purchases go through the Google Play Store, which incurs fees that Microsoft wants to avoid. The court ruling prevents Google from requiring developers to use Google Play Billing but does not stop them from directing users to other payment methods. Google argues that its restrictions are to maintain a secure environment for users, although this concern may be less relevant for established companies like Xbox and Microsoft.

BetaBeacon

November 28, 2024

Xbox Claims It’s Blocked From Being Able to Sell and Play Its Games on Android

A US judge ordered Google to allow competitors access to its Android marketplace, impacting Microsoft's plans to expand gaming offerings on Android devices. Xbox President Sarah Bond expressed disappointment that plans to enable players to buy and play games through the Xbox app on Android have been put on hold. Google defended its position, stating that Microsoft has the ability to offer Xbox games directly through its app but has chosen not to do so.

BetaBeacon

November 28, 2024

The Xbox Game Store for Android Is Ready Says Microsoft, But Google’s Stay Prevents Launch

Microsoft's Xbox Game Store for Android is ready to go live as soon as the court makes a final decision, but the launch is being hindered by a temporary stay granted by Google. The delay is a result of Google filing for a stay to delay Play Store changes mandated by the court.

BetaBeacon

November 28, 2024

Microsoft Claims Court Order Delayed Plans to Allow Players to Purchase and Play Xbox Games on Android • iPhone in Canada Blog

Xbox President Sarah Bond announced that the launch of Xbox games on Android in the U.S. is being delayed due to a court order.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

Xbox forced to delay game purchasing feature for Android Xbox app

Microsoft's plans to enhance its Android Xbox app with a feature allowing US players to purchase and play Xbox games directly from their mobile devices have been delayed due to a "temporary administrative stay" granted by a court. This feature was initially set to launch this month, following a court ruling that required Google to open its Play Store to competitors for three years. Despite the feature being fully developed, Microsoft is unable to launch it until the court reaches a final decision. Xbox president Sarah Bond stated the team is ready to activate the feature as soon as possible. Google spokesperson Dan Jackson claimed that Microsoft has always had the ability to allow purchases through its app but chose not to. The court ruling also identified Google as operating a monopoly and deemed the mandatory use of Google Play Billing illegal.