Update: Sadly, it looks like there's nothing to this discovery... at least for now! A Microsoft spokesperson has confirmed to Windows Central that there are "no plans" to bring the Windows 11 Android subsystem to Xbox.
"A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to me that what I suspected — there are "no plans" to bring the Windows 11 Android subsystem to Xbox at the moment. Could it potentially happen in the future? Frankly, I rather doubt it."
Original story: Just when you thought your console couldn't possibly do any more cool things, it appears Microsoft is now testing Android support on Xbox. However, we don't know what it's being used for, or whether it'll ever be released to the public.
As spotted by XDA (thanks, Eurogamer), a Windows Subsystem for Android application has appeared on the Microsoft Store. In the minimum requirements section, one of the operating systems listed is Xbox One.
At the time of writing, the application is still live and has the ability to be installed. Some users have attempted to load up the app, but are said to have been met with a black screen.
While it is interesting that Xbox One is listed as an operating system, we really don't know what the app's purpose is right now. The description, which doesn't delve into what it actually does, elaborates by saying it's "for testing purposes".
This isn't the first time we've published a story about Xbox and Android in recent months, as it was suggested back in July that Xbox Game Pass might be heading to Android TV in the near future. Could this be related? Who knows!
We'll have to wait and see what comes out of this (if anything), but for now, it's at least fun to speculate.
Do you think MS is working on Android app support for Xbox? Give us your thoughts down in the comments.
[source xda-developers.com, via eurogamer.net, windowscentral.com]
Comments 6
While this could be very cool — there are some decent Android games and apps — it would be even better if Microsoft implemented Android app support on the back-end of Xbox consoles and then gave developers the option to easily migrate their (free and paid) Android games to the Xbox store. Still, as it appears here this could be very cool.
@101Force totally agree we'll have to wait and see but this does open up a lot of opportunities very interesting the xbox would become a real Swiss army knife of gadgets
As well as easier access to Android games and emulators (as mentioned by comments on EG), Microsoft also do an Android app for remote desktop which could be very useful...
I'm going to have a whack at this because I was talking about it earlier with someone, regarding MSFTs foray into smart phones and how Windows 8 sucked. It was way ahead of it's time assuming everyone wanted touch and a mobile experience. To be honest it did suck. But their devices and UX have gotten much sexier. I am a big fan of Windows 11 (hope it doesn't suck). But from a consumer perspective, Windows 11 looks to bring a really nice experience together for all of MS products, outside of Xbox too. They failed in mobile so use Android. I think this test is to help bring the mobile MSFT experience on Android devices to any device & it is in some type of flight phase. Being able to bring your on the go or office experience to your play place too (Xbox for example).
With android support (eventually) coming to Windows 11 this isn't too too surprising. Though I can't imagine a scenario where I would personally load up any Android apps on an Xbox, this could open up a lot of opportunities depending on what it is specifically.
I'm already playing Xbox and game pass / xcloud on my amazon 10 android tablet. but I'm not giving away my secret trick on how i was able to download the Xbox app and the game pass app on my android device
Tap here to load 6 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...