Xbox users have long experienced a gap in performance and feature availability when comparing media apps on their consoles with their web-based counterparts. The apps often felt slow and lacked the latest enhancements found in web versions. However, this disparity is poised to become a thing of the past.
Microsoft is making a pivotal change by allowing Xbox app developers to harness the power of the Chromium-powered version of Edge, a move aimed at significantly improving app performance and user experience.
Empowering Developers with Microsoft Edge WebView2
The introduction of Microsoft Edge’s WebView2 on Xbox marks a significant stride forward. This tool allows developers to embed cutting-edge web technologies directly into Xbox apps, thereby enhancing their performance and capabilities. Developers have anticipated this feature for some time, and its arrival has been greeted with enthusiasm within the developer community.
The Impact on Streaming Apps and Lightweight Games
The streaming application STARZ stands as an early adopter of WebView2, showcasing the potential improvements in performance and features. This development is expected to ripple across various media apps and lightweight games on Xbox, with many anticipating broader adoption in the months ahead.
The Shift from EdgeHTML to Chromium-Based Edge
Previously, developers were constrained to the older EdgeHTML browser engine, limiting their ability to innovate. The transition to the Chromium-based Edge rendering engine through WebView2 marks a significant technological leap, providing a more robust and versatile platform for app development.