MICROSOFT KEEPS XBOX MOBILE STORE ALIVE DESPITE DELAYS

The tech giant first announced the Xbox mobile store in 2022 as a direct challenge to Apple's App Store and Google Play. Former Xbox president Sarah Bond publicly committed to a July 2024 release at a Bloomberg event in mid-2022. The project has stalled significantly. Developers discovered the store's test URL no longer functions, with no clear timeline for when it disappeared. Microsoft has not provided details on current status or revised launch expectations. The mobile store represents Microsoft's broader effort to expand gaming beyond traditional consoles and PCs. The initiative aligns with the company's strategy to distribute Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming services across more devices. Microsoft did not clarify what caused the delay or provide specifics on development progress. The statement that the idea remains active stops short of confirming an active development timeline.