Microsoft’s Xbox App In-App Purchase Feature Delayed by Google’s Legal Battle
Microsoft’s plans to expand its Xbox App on Android devices have hit a roadblock due to ongoing legal battles between Google and Epic Games. The tech giant had intended to introduce a feature allowing users to directly purchase and play Xbox games within the app, but this initiative has been temporarily halted.
The delay stems from a recent court ruling in the Epic v. Google case, which found Google’s dominance in the Android app store to be anti-competitive. This decision could potentially pave the way for alternative app stores on Android devices, including Microsoft’s Xbox App. However, Google has appealed the ruling, leading to a temporary stay that prevents Microsoft from implementing its new feature.
Sarah Bond, a Microsoft executive, expressed disappointment over the delay on social media platform Bluesky: “Due to a temporary administrative stay recently granted by the courts, we are currently unable to launch these features as planned. Our team has the functionality built and ready to go live as soon as the court makes a final decision.”
While Microsoft’s intention is to offer players more flexibility and choice, Google maintains that the court’s ruling poses significant security risks. Google’s spokesperson, Dan Jackson, argued that Microsoft could have already implemented the feature but chose not to. He emphasized the importance of a secure and safe Android ecosystem, raising concerns about potential threats from third-party app stores.
