Facebook Debuts Mobile-Only Cloud Gaming Amid Ongoing Apple Feud
Facebook launches a mobile-focused cloud gaming service on web and Android, intentionally skipping iOS due to restrictive App Store policies. Meanwhile, Ant Group prepares for a record-breaking IPO and Pinterest capitalizes on iOS 14 widget popularity.
Facebook launches a new cloud gaming service that takes a different approach than competitors like Google Stadia or Microsoft xCloud by focusing entirely on mobile games. The service aims to reduce the friction between viewing an ad and actually playing a game, allowing users to jump right into the action without a large download.
The cloud gaming feature is available on the web and Android devices, but it remains completely absent from iOS. Facebook directly blames Apple's App Store terms and conditions, with executive Jason Rubin stating that Apple's rules for cloud gaming create a sequence of hurdles that result in a bad consumer experience.
Other major tech news includes Ant Group preparing for a massive dual-listing IPO in Shanghai and Hong Kong that could raise up to $34.5 billion, making it the world's largest public offering. Additionally, Pinterest embraces the iOS 14 home screen customization trend by releasing a new widget that allows users to display photos from their favorite boards directly on their iPhones.