The Witcher shows a lot of nipple

are you really comparing video to executable code?

What executable code? The executable code running on Microsofts servers?

Am I comparing streaming video to streaming video? Why yes, I am.

You keep repeating this, but at this point it’s hard to imagine that you really see no difference in either the technology or the experience between what Netflix does and what xCloud does.

Do you really not see that there is a difference between watching a movie, and controlling a remote video console which is playing a fully interactive video game?

There’s a difference but it’s relatively pedantic. Netflix has interactive shows and the play/pause is necessarily controlling a remote server as well.

It’s not pedantic to say that movies and videogames are different.

Most people in the world would think you insane if you said you perceived them to be the same thing.

You’re misreading me. I’m saying that the technological distinction does not justify the policy distinction. I don’t at all believe they’re the same thing.

The comments you’re replying to suggest that executables are being streamed or something, and they’re not.

It doesn’t download executables, it streams your inputs to a server which streams synced AV back.

Apps and videos pose different security risks, but I assume you know this.

Do you think xCloud copies a binary executable of Halo Infinite on every Android and iOS device?

Do you think it’s possible to enter a credit card number into a steaming video of ‘friends’?

A steaming app (game or not) can pop up a fraudulent credit card payment interface at any time.

I don't see the point you are making.

If video streaming is so bad, Netflix should not be on the App Store for "iDevice security". If video game streaming is so bad, Twitch should not be on the App Store for "iDevice security".

> If video game streaming is so bad

It's not just streaming, it's interactive streaming where it could well happen that PayToWin / LootBox / etc games can appear.

Now, of course, they already exist on the App Store (and I honestly wish Apple would ban them outright) but there, at least, Apple has some kind of leverage - with xCloud, they have none.

Netflix offers "interactive movies", and those are apparently ok, for some reason.

That’s a fair point. At some point far down the road of complexity, those could cross into the territory of ‘gaming’.

But Netflix can read the same rules the rest of us can, and know that they signed a contract that doesn’t allow App storefronts.

What capabilities would the streamed app have for deception that a website lacks?

None. That’s the point. Both can deceive you in ways that App Store Apps cannot.

One reason people spend so much money in the App Store is because it is relatively safe to do so.

But then why are browsers allowed in the App Store?