{"id":47838,"date":"2025-05-22T15:06:32","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T19:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=47838"},"modified":"2025-05-22T15:08:08","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T19:08:08","slug":"microsoft-supports-epic-against-apples-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/22\/microsoft-supports-epic-against-apples-appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft Supports Epic Against Apple’s Appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom Warren<\/a>:<\/p>\n

A year ago Xbox president Sarah Bond revealed that Microsoft was planning to launch a new Xbox mobile web store<\/a> in July 2024. That never happened. I’ve been wondering<\/a> what the hold up has been over the past year, and it seems we might have an answer: Apple.<\/p>

Microsoft filed an amicus brief late on Tuesday, in support of Epic Games’ ongoing fight with Apple’s control over the App Store. The brief takes issue with Apple’s attempt to overturn the injunction that allows<\/a> Epic and other developers to freely advertise alternative payment methods in their apps, and not have to pay Apple additional fees for purchases made outside of apps.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Microsoft<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

Prior to the district court’s most recent order, Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple’s new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft’s communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

Similarly, Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices. Apple’s policies have restricted Microsoft’s ability to offer these functionalities together; the injunction allows Microsoft to explore this possibility.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n