Technology - Google News

Microsoft built Xbox Game Pass for this moment, and it’s thriving - VentureBeat

Posted: 30 Apr 2020 11:40 AM PDT

Xbox Game Pass doesn't have Friends, but it does have the friends we've made along the way. And that's not just a silly phrase by a very clever reporter (don't laugh). It's one of the most powerful elements behind the success of Microsoft's subscription service.

When analysts and investors compare Game Pass to other services like Netflix, it's tempting to look at the latter's strengths as the former's weaknesses. Millions of people subscribe to Netflix to watch the same popular older shows, like The Office and Friends, over and over. Gaming doesn't usually work the same way. People typically want newer games they've never tried before.

But while that is a potential issue for gaming subscriptions (although games like Minecraft provide evidence that it isn't), Game Pass has a different strength. Video games are much more social, and the network effect between friends could lead people to come back month after month.

And now, Microsoft is confirming that is exactly what it's seeing on the platform.

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"Since March, Xbox Game Pass members have added over 23 million friends on Xbox Live, which is a 70% growth in friendship rate," Xbox boss Phil Spencer wrote in a blog post this morning. "Game Pass members are also playing twice as much and engaging in more multiplayer gaming, which has increased by 130%."

Xbox Game Pass is powered by friendship

The explanation for this network effect is simple. Groups of friends are more likely to play games together if they all have Game Pass. And the service is affordable enough that most people see it as a worthwhile expense. Most gamers are happy to pay $5-to-$15 per month if it means they don't get left out of the regular game night with the crew.

Think about what a new Game Pass launch means socially. Unlike when a game hits for $60, you know that all your Game Pass-subscribing friends have it as well. You don't need to convince your friend to spend $60 on a game they aren't sure they will like.

When you have less pressure and awkward feelings about bringing up money, it's easier to shoot an invite over to your bud.

Again, Spencer says the company is seeing that behavior play out in the data.

"Xbox Game Pass is empowering players and their friends to branch out and discover new games they might not have played before," he said. "We know this because after joining Game Pass people play 40% more games and more than 90% of members have played a game they wouldn't have tried without Game Pass – often discovering new genres they have not yet experienced."

This also brings those friends closer together. So when a new $60 game does launch, those groups are more likely to give it a shot to keep playing together.

And in a time when people have few options for socializing, Xbox Game Pass is providing a valuable means for connection.

This should give Microsoft momentum as it moves into the next generation with Xbox Series X. The company plans to begin revealing games for that system on May 7.

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Google Pixel 4a camera samples are impressive — and that's bad for iPhone SE - Tom's Guide

Posted: 01 May 2020 04:19 AM PDT

The Google Pixel 4a hasn't launched yet. but Apple's new iPhone SE 2020 should be concerned about its rival's cameras.

That's because Julio Lusson from Cuban tech site TecnoLike Plus (via 9to5Google), tweeted a comparison of two photos between the Redmi Note 7, on the right in the tweet below, and the Pixel 4a, on the left. And the Pixel 4a photos look very impressive for a budget-priced phone.

Assuming this is indeed the Pixel 4a's handiwork we're seeing in these images, then Google has got a worthy successor to the Pixel 3a. In both the low-light and outdoor shots it produces far better colors than the Redmi, even though the Redmi uses a 48MP sensor compared to the Pixel's 12.2MP sensor.

Fotos: #Pixel4a vs #RedmiNote7 12MP vs 48MPCual te gusta mas? pic.twitter.com/ULsU8pOlRoApril 30, 2020

The Pixel 4a was originally expected to debut later this month at Google's I/O developer conference, but this has now been called off. But we do expect some sort of virtual launch for the handset.

The new iPhone SE launched in April, and was very warmly received, including its single 12MP rear sensor, almost identical to the Pixel 4a's. But Google has always put a lot of focus on its phones' picture-taking prowess, so it's likely the Pixel 4a will be the smartphone of choice for people on a budget looking to get the best shots possible.

The one area where the Pixel 4a should outshine the iPhone SE is low light. The iPhone SE lacks the Night Mode found on the iPhone 11, while the Pixel 4a should continue to feature Google's impressive Night Sight feature. This should give Google's handset a big advantage in dim conditions.

Such photography leaks are far from unprecedented as TecnoLike Plus has previously posted a hands-on with a prototype Pixel 4a. But it's worth bearing in mind that such leaks and photography results can be from prototype devices, as is the case with Lusson's Pixel 4a. This means some things may be different on the final version you can buy, so don't assume this represents a final product.

While there's no Pixel 4a launch event officially on the horizon, for the time being, we do have plenty of rumors about the new cheap Pixel. It will remain at the same $399 price point (now shared by Apple's fantastic iPhone SE 2020), but will include upgrades like a Snapdragon 730 CPU, 6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage, and a 5.81-inch OLED display with a punch-hole 8MP selfie camera, the punch hole being a first for the Pixel series.

So the Pixel 4a will beat the iPhone SE on screen size and most likely on photography prowess, while the iPhone SE should win on sheer power with its A13 Bionic chip. But that same chip's image signal processor produces fantastic photos when there's a good amount of ambient light. We look forward to performing a photo shootout betweeen these two phones.