If the last few days of Apple’s App Store policies and Microsoft’s xCloud weren’t enough for Apple, even Facebook has called out the company’s policies today with the release of its gaming app. Facebook’s Facebook Gaming (Free) app has finally launched on iOS after months of rejections without any games included. The Facebook Gaming app allows users to watch streams and play games on Android. On iOS, the mini games aren’t included thanks to Apple’s App Store policies. These games are also included in the main Facebook apps like Messenger but have been buried in the iOS apps for years according to statements made by Facebook to The Verge.
Facebook even tried to use Apple’s new appeal process for Facebook Gaming but didn’t receive a response as confirmed to The Verge. After months of rejections, Facebook removed the actual games from Facebook Gaming and only release it as an app for watching streams like Twitch. We’ve been covering Microsoft’s Project xCloud for a while now and it has been super disappointing (but sadly expected given Apple) to see how it has played out as we get closer to its launch next month. Apple’s statement to Business Insider is hilarious given some of the kinds of games and apps the company approves. As of now, Facebook Gaming is available on the App Store for iOS here and Google Play for Android here. On iOS, you can only use it to watch streams. Have you tried the app on Android before?
[Source: The Verge]
Until the latest series of news I was sure I'd soon switch to iOS wholesale, given my ongoing annoyance with my Android phone. Such news make me think it might be worth the hassle after all :/
Apple can plausibly claim that their review process for the AppStore protects users from malicious apps and trojan horses for viruses and such. I do feel a level of comfort with AppStore apps because of that.
That is a genuine concern and a valid case for the value of an approval process.
But if they’re claiming the *content* of the apps is maintained at a higher standard, then they’re either lying or they’re daft.
And apps that allow cloud-based gaming as *content* only have to be secure. If Apple has decided they’re approved for security, then the quality of the content available on the app should be judged by the consumer.
Most consumers can look at their Xbox game library and decide if that content is something they value, regardless of whether Apple deems it worthy of being “AppStore Approved Game Quality.” (Which would be an insult to most game developers.)
There are plenty of streaming video apps on the AppStore. Some have good content, some have garbage. And consumers can choose. If the app is system secure, and Apple approves it, then the streamable content should be a matter of user preference.