SyrupCast Ep. 208: 16-inch MacBook Pro, Mustang Mach-E and Google Stadia vs Project xCloud

This week, MobileSyrup managing editor Patrick O’Rourke, along with staff writers Bradley Bennett and Brad Shankar, sit down to chat about Apple’s new 16-inch Macbook Pro, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Google Stadia’s lacklustre launch and Microsoft’s xCloud.

Jan 29, 2020 SyrupCast Ep. 208: 16-inch MacBook Pro, Mustang Mach-E and Google Stadia vs Project xCloud. By Robyn Edgar Nov 26, 2019 3:16 PM EST. XCloud is a paid service whose monthly subscription has a price of 12.99 euros per month. What’s more, you really pay for having access to Xbox Game Pass Unlimited. Thanks to this payment that you will make every month, you will not only have access to the Xbox Game Pass game catalog on your iPhone or iPad, but also on your PC and console.

Patrick recently went to New York for the unveiling of the new MacBook. The changes to the design are, in a word, subtle, but the team is cautiously optimistic about the keyboard changes.

Four years ago, Ford declared that it wanted to build an electric car for the masses. Now, the first electric Mustang is here. Bradley spent some time with the car at the press event and is impressed with what Ford hast to offer. However, as he points out, it’s probably still not at a price point that will convert the majority of car-using consumers.

Next, the “original” Brad walks the team through Google Stadia and what users are saying after launch. As Brad points out, Stadia’s main problem at the moment is that it’s not the “Netflix of games” many people assumed it would be. You still have to purchase each game individually. In addition, there are not many games currently available on the platform, a handful of the promised features are missing and there are cheaper and/or more robust game streaming options out there.

One of those upcoming competitors is Microsoft’s xCloud. The service is currently in preview and already has more than double the number of available games that Google Stadia has on its platform.

Tune in to hear the SyrupCast team’s thoughts.

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Do you have questions, comments, thoughts, or anything you would like addressed on the podcast? Send us an email to patrick@mobilesyrup.com.

Total runtime: 52:31
Shoutouts: 45:30

Patrick gives his shoutout to AirFly’s Bluetooth dongle. Bradley sends a shoutout to Pokémon Sword and Shield. Finally, OG Brad shouts out A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.

The post SyrupCast Ep. 208: 16-inch MacBook Pro, Mustang Mach-E and Google Stadia vs Project xCloud appeared first on MobileSyrup.

Updated 06/28/21: Xbox Cloud Gaming through the browser is now available to all Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. This article has been updated throughout with the latest information from Microsoft.

Last year, we wrote about how Apple’s restrictive App Store rules would cause millions of gamers to miss out on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service (née xCloud). Microsoft later updated the Xbox app to stream games over your local network from your own Xbox, but that’s not the same thing as a cloud gaming service where you don’t need to download or install games at all.

Xcloud Macbook Pro Cover

After months of hand-wringing and probably back-room negotiations, Microsoft finally announced that it would build a web-based solution for devices on which it can’t provide an app, like iPhone and iPad. After a short invite-only beta period, Microsoft has announced that all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can now enjoy Xbox Cloud Gaming on Mac, iPhone, or iPad. To play, simply visit xbox.com/play using Edge, Chrome, or Safari browsers on your Apple device.

Xcloud Macbook Pro 13

Most games are made to be played with a controller, but Apple’s devices support modern Xbox controllers just fine. Just sync it to your Mac as you would any Bluetooth device, or plug in via USB. On iPhone or iPad, we have a guide to pairing your Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S controller.

In addition to the broad availability of Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly code-named xCloud) to all subscribers, Microsoft has upgraded the servers that run the games in the cloud to new hardware based on the Xbox Series X. This means faster performance, much quicker loading times, and better visual quality. Games will stream at 1080p and 60fps, but the company says that “Going forward we’ll continue to innovate and add more features to enhance your cloud gaming experience.”

On Xbox, all saved games are always synced to the cloud, as is other user data like friends lists and achievements. So everything you do on a console will be there waiting for you in the cloud, and vice-versa.

The Xbox Cloud Gaming expansion comes along with an expansion of Xbox-ready game accessories for iPhones. The popular Razer Kishi controller, originally only for Android phones, now has an MFi-certified version for iPhones. The new Backbone One controller for iPhone features a dedicated button to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming web app. For a limited time, Microsoft is offering three-month free trial to new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members with the purchase of either controller.