Microsoft’s Xbox division is partnering with TCL to integrate the Xbox app directly into select TCL Smart TVs, enabling users to stream supported Xbox titles.
This collaboration expands Xbox’s cloud gaming reach, offering a console-free entry point for players to access games directly through their televisions.
The partnership means that specific TCL Smart TVs will gain access to the Xbox app, allowing users to stream a library of supported Xbox titles. However, the integration is specifically for Xbox Cloud Gaming, which streams games over the internet. Users will require an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to utilize this feature. This approach differs from console-based gaming, where titles are installed and run locally.
Additionally, Microsoft has actively pursued expanding its cloud gaming service beyond traditional Xbox consoles. The service currently supports a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and personal computers via web browsers. This strategic move to embed the Xbox app directly into smart televisions like those from TCL underscores a push to make gaming more readily available to a wider audience, reducing barriers to entry by eliminating the need for separate gaming hardware. The initiative also reflects a growing trend among technology companies to offer subscription-based gaming experiences directly on smart TV platforms.
However, specific models of TCL Smart TVs that will support the Xbox app, along with rollout timelines and regional availability, were not detailed in the initial announcement.
