Update (Thu 30th Jun, 2022): Today is the day! The Samsung Gaming Hub is now rolling out to a selection of Samsung TVs in the 2022 range, allowing non-console owners to access Xbox Game Pass directly through the TV. This is the first step in bringing Xbox Game Pass to Smart TVs!
Here's what Xbox's Phil Spencer had to say in a statement to Windows Central:
"We’re on a quest to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone on the planet, and bringing the Xbox app to smart TVs is another step in making our vision a reality. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Samsung, a global leader in TVs, on bringing Xbox to more players. Working with Samsung has helped us provide more access to gaming and enabled us to welcome new players into our thriving community."
Original story (Thu 9th Jun, 2022): Xbox has finally revealed its next big Game Pass step, and that's to bring the service to smart TVs. In partnership with Samsung, Microsoft is finally bringing an Xbox app to televisions, ditching the need for a dedicated device to play Xbox Cloud Gaming titles.
The Xbox app on TVs "gives Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members easy and instant access to over 100 high-quality games", with Xbox also highlighting Fortnite, as the battle royale recently got cloud support.
For now, the partnership is limited to Samsung's 2022 TV line, so yep, you'll need a TV from Samsung to test the app out. However, Microsoft will be expanding the service in the coming months and years, including to other TV manufacturers.
The app itself will grow over time too. For now, it's all focused on Xbox Game Pass, and Fortnite of course, but eventually it'll work with any Xbox Cloud Gaming title you own. Xbox is looking at expanding Cloud Gaming to non-Game Pass titles later this year.
The initial rollout of the Samsung TV Xbox app begins on June 30th, where you'll be able to find it — on 2022 models — via the Samsung Gaming Hub or the Media Hub. Then, once you're logged into your Microsoft account, boom, you're good to go!
Remember that we're offering 10% off all Xbox Game Pass subscriptions at the Pure Xbox store throughout June. See the full range here, or stock up below – remember to use code PXBOX10 at checkout to secure your discount!
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What do you make of Xbox finally moving into the TV app space? Let us know your thoughts down below!
[source news.xbox.com]
Comments 40
@IronMan30 PSNow was on Sony & Samsung TVs a while back.
Genuinely surprised this has taken so long for MS to do.
This is great, though I doubt I will ever buy another Samsung TV, hopefully it gets expanded to other brands in the next year!
I assume you’ll need speedy internet for this to work well?
Was only a matter of time. I wonder if Samsung have upgraded their Wifi in their 2022 models to take advantage of this and minimise latency?
@Feffster You 'only' need about a 20Mbps connection to steam Game Pass in it's current highest fidelity (1080p/60fps). However a little extra speed will help to even out a few bumps and/or if other devices are using the connection.
However it's not really connection speed that matters most for game streaming but ping, latency and jitter. These are the amount of time that it takes to send data from your device to the server and back and how much that changes over time. i.e. a reliable, consistent connection is better than a larger Mbps one if that makes sense.
@Kezelpaso
Wait what??? This is a big tidbit that is buried in the closure of the article!!! This should be a headline of its own!!! Where can i get more info on this?
Edit: I just realize it seems it will be limited to games we own but are in Cloud Gaming. That disappointed me a bit already, i was hoping it would eventually let me stream any game I own digitally, period.
@Tharsman Yep it's huge. Being able to stream games we own but aren't on Game Pass is a BIG deal. Article incoming i'm sure in 3-2-1...
I hope they will make it available to slightly older TVs as well. I have a 2020 model which doesnt feel old at all :/
@themightyant reread the quote and it seems it will be restricted to games that are already in Game Pass Cloud Gaming (not jus on Game Pass, but also on Cloud Gaming.)
So this is just a way for non-GamePass Ultimate subscribers to stream games pass cloud games they happen to own, I guess.
@themightyant It's coming... 😅
@themightyant - thanks. I currently struggle streaming games on my XSX - I can play them but they are poor quality (jittery frame rates, etc) - I find it much better quality to download to the console. I like the concept of a streaming app though, will be interesting to see how this develops.
@Kezelpaso ok confused again... is it coming? the ability to play any non-gamepass game we own via xcloud? or only games that are already in xcloud?
@Feffster A LOT of that depends on your networking setup. What router you use, how strong the wifi signal strength is on the device (assuming you're using wifi), how far you are from the nearest phone exchange, how consistent your ISP's speeds are, etc. etc. Ultimately what your ping, jitter & latency is to the device you are streaming from.
With game streaming EVERY millisecond matters so if there is a weak link anywhere in the chain that makes the latency noticeable then it doesn't work well. This is what makes everyone have a different experience, and is the single biggest struggle for game streaming achieving wide adoption. For some people it just doesn't work well out of the box and is too techy to diagnose. For others it just works great. This will improve over time as tech improves and devices are built with game streaming in mind, but for now it's a bit of a lottery, unless you're a tech head.
For my part upgrading my router made a big difference and made most game playable. At times I even forget i'm streaming the game, especially for older games. Whereas for new games the stepdown in quality is more obvious. I still can't play twitch games like shooters or driving games, it just feels a little too off, but for everything else it works well for me.
@Tharsman It needs a little more clarification from MS, which hopefully we'll get once it's fully revealed.
From what I can gather it won't be all games, but basically MS will be rolling out cloud support to games outside of Game Pass, and as long as you're subbed, you can make use of streaming even if the game isn't in the library.
It could come in handy if say, A game has cloud support then it leaves Game Pass, youd still be able to buy and stream it. We don't know yet if the plan is to support cloud on everything eventually.
@Tharsman It seems 'select games' will be available on Xbox Cloud Gaming that aren't in Game Pass. i.e. If you own one of those games you'll be able to play it via the cloud too. Moving towards a great future if they can make it work.
@Kezelpaso Yes it could be great. I was away a few weekends ago and was playing a game not on Game Pass on my Xbox at the time. While I was away I had to play something else instead. It would have been great to be able to just pull out my phone/laptop/tv and pick up where I left off in those games too. It's a bright future if they can make it widespread enough.
@Kezelpaso Crossing my fingers for that. There are many reasons, like all the games that get touch control support and end up leaving game pass, leaving a streaming-only player unable to resume playing them unless they buy an xbox, or buy the game and start anew on a different platform.
As it stands I occasionally remote stream my games from my Xbox, but that only works while on my own network and xcloud streaming is still usually better quality streaming.
You are all talksong about network set up, but, I didn't think most TVs had Bluetooth. Could it be more of a case of struggling to get the controller connected to the TV?
@Rockboy247 That might be why the first rollout only works with 2022 Samsung models? I have no clue if my 2020 samsung TV supports bluetooth...
Edit: just looked it up, my Samsung Q80T does support bluetooth. Not that I would use xcloud on that screen, its the screen my XSX is hooked up to...
Yup, I have a 2021 and a 2017 Samsung tv, so I guess this won’t work for me. It is really cool to be able to stream games we own. I use the feature to stream games from my console to ipad, but it would be great to be able to stream direct from cloud.
@Rockboy247 A lot of modern TV's do support Bluetooth. Samsung already allow you to pair a Bluetooth controller since some models in 2015.
https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00085262/
Though perhaps the 2022 models also have Xbox's proprietary wireless tech. (controllers run both this and bluetooth)
@themightyant did not know this, I have never seen the options on my LG Cx, would have to take a look.
@Tharsman yeah maybe they might add the actual wireless range which Xbox use to the TVs.
@Rockboy247 A quick google suggests LG CX does have Bluetooth but some people have had issues. Good luck.
that's cool n'all, but what i'd like to be able to do through this xbox app is just locally stream my XSX which is in another room.
@Rockboy247 @themightyant I'm almost certain XSX controllers support both, XBox's proprietary protocol and bluetooth. If you use the controller wirelessly on a PC, its likely using bluetooth.
So not all Samsung TV? My TV is Samsung but it's not a 2022 model.
@Tharsman They do use both wireless protocols. But Xbox's proprietary connection is supposedly marginally faster. As every millisecond is important with game streaming to reduce latency this would make logical sense. However I think it's unlikely they will have Xbox's proprietary tech and they will just use bluetooth, not least DualSense is compatible according to the press release and that only uses bluetooth.
Aside: It's actually one area Google was really smart with Stadia. Their controller linked directly to Wifi rather than the Chromecast or PC, this cut out several small areas of latency 1) Wifi is faster than Bluetooth 2) skipped having to get the streaming device to translate the Bluetooth signal and then send it back on to the wifi, an unneded couple of steps. Great streaming tech, terrible service.
@Kopite I did not know that, I thought it was PC-only. It is a little surprising they were there first.
Really disappointed that this is for Samsung only. Cant see why this cant be integrated to current eligible SMART TV’s at the same time. Thought this would happen tbh so of all the announcements that’s one that has left me a bit cold. Hopefully it will come in time.
The problem with TV apps is the OS of the TV and its protocols for Wireless controllers. Just having Bluetooth doesn't mean that the TV is 'optimised' for a Game Controller (let alone 2, 3 or 4 controllers for Couch Co-op modes) and can receive, process and send your controller input to the cloud for a 'great' experience. That's where working with Manufacturers to ensure their OS and Bluetooth are optimised for the app. Its not like Netflix which is only streaming in one direction and doesn't require interactive devices (controllers) to send data back the other way.
Therefore I can only assume that's why their TV app can't be rolled out across every manufacturer or older Smart TV's. Their OS and/or Controller connectivity isn't 'optimised' (or even possible) because they weren't designed or built for that option. At most, they can only connect a 'single' device to their Bluetooth connection so can't offer any couch co-op options.
Of course MS will bring out a Plug In - much like Amazon Streaming Stick turns any display into a Smart TV with Streaming apps, this will turn any display into a Game Pass Streaming display. You don't need a Firestick if your TV already has those Apps built in but as not 'every' TV can run the Game Pass app (with a Controller or 4 for couch co-op modes), then instead of buying a 2022 (or later) Samsung TV, you can purchase a dongle instead...
Just put the app on the Firestick already
@jarvismp Samsung has a deal with Microsoft as the 'official' TV for the xbox I think that's why
Absolutely ridiculous that you need a new TV for this, my 6 year old Samsung TV had Gamefly streaming and PS Now, so why can't older TV's be supported?
@BAMozzy Samsung TV's have had game streaming services for years though, including PS Now
More like thinking outside the X-Box..
😐😶
..I'll leave.
If this takes off Series X will be the last Xbox.
Just hoping for a dongle honestly. I have a Sony telly. I guess we won’t see an app any time soon.
Tried this on my tv today. It’s far from the router but good enough for streaming video. For Game Pass, the picture is always sharp but unplayably laggy. Interesting that it doesn’t seem to compromise video quality at all to compensate. It just breaks. Gonna look into a WiFi extender.
How can I find out if my Samsung TV is a 2022 model? I did buy it this year.
@ParsnipHero they could always put the app on firesticks & Chromecasts but I guess hardware does matter since they want their own device lol
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