It seems that Microsoft is not resting on its laurels when it comes to Project xCloud, the streaming technology that allows Xbox Game Pass subscribers to play select titles remotely

First, Windows Central has heard from "reliable sources" that improvements to the Xbox Cloud streaming server are paying off with solid results, increasing the resolution from 720p to 1080p Below is a screenshot sent to us with the developer's overlay, showing all the relevant statistics

Of course, image quality may vary Just as Netflix might be a little softer if your internet connection suddenly slows down, xCloud might lower your resolution if it helps performance windows central tried the same test and found that 1080p It was pinned to the more disappointing 720p because it was too far away from the data center running the test [Google Stadia has very public problems, including the closure of two first-party game studios and a limited number of triple-A titles currently scheduled [But this is not the end of the story for Microsoft; The Verge managed to obtain an internal test of the Xbox Game Streaming app for Windows and found some interesting changes The app not only supports home streaming from Xbox Series X and S consoles, but also brings xCloud streaming to Windows PCs

Support for the Xbox Series S and X works the same way it does on the Xbox One You can remotely launch the console, sign in, and play games on your Windows desktop, laptop, or tablet

Interestingly, Microsoft is looking into specific issues with the latter, which now includes touchscreen support to play games without a controller Not only that, but there is also reportedly an option to enable gyro control, but at present, enabling this option does not seem to do anything Still, it is clear that the company is looking into ways to ensure that tablet players do not need to prop up their devices while playing

Not to be completely outdone, the PS5 has a version called Remote Play that allows you to stream from the PS5 or PS4 to Android, iOS, Windows, or MacOS via WiFi or LAN connection (if you want to waste electricity If you want to waste electricity, you can also stream from PS5 to PS4) PlayStation Now also allows users to stream PS2, PS3, and PS4 games for $999 per month, but does not support phones or tablets at the time of this writing