What Streaming Apps Won’t Work With Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 at Launch?
Since Sony put the DVD player on the PlayStation 2, game consoles have had to serve a dual function as gaming systems and entertainment devices. Many of us these days use our PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switches to stream TV, movies and music when we are not using them for games. The upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X won’t be any different, but there are some significant differences in the streaming apps these new consoles will support at launch.
This is important as not everyone who buys a new console will have a smart TV loaded with streaming apps, and these next-generation gamers can count on streaming all of their streaming through their new PS5 or Xbox Series X. However, depending on which consoles you buy, early adopters will need alternative ways to access all of their video and music apps.
Xbox Series X streaming apps
Let’s start with the Xbox. According to Microsoft, the Xbox Series X (and Series S) will have immediate access to all of the pre-existing entertainment apps on the Xbox One. Notable services include:
- Disney +
- Amazon Prime Video
- Amazon Music
- ESPN
- HBO Max and HBO Go
- Hulu (including Hulu from Live TV)
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Plex
- SlingTV
- SoundCloud
- Spotify
- Voodoo
- YouTube, YouTube Music and YouTube TV
Several channel-specific streaming apps will also be available on the new Xboxes Day-One such as CBS All-Access, NBC, Crackle, and Telemundo to name just a few. You can see the full list of Xbox entertainment apps here . (Note that Apple TV is not on this list.)
PlayStation 5 streaming apps
The PS5, on the other hand, has much more limited support for streaming video at launch. Here are all the streaming apps confirmed for the PS5 (for now):
- Apple TV
- Crunchyroll
- Disney +
- Netflix
- Spotify
- Twitch
- Youtube
The only PS5 exclusive is Apple TV. It’s a noticeable addition, but Microsoft’s game consoles are definitely missing on the PS5 launch days list. Hulu, Prime Video, and Plex are notable omissions on the PS5 considering they all have PlayStation 4 apps you can download and use right now . Plenty of niche and channel specific apps are also skipping the PS5 launch, but will be available on Xbox Series X.
(However, Sony notes that “additional streaming apps coming to PS5 include Amazon Prime Video, MyCanal, Hulu, Peacock, and others.” So they will eventually arrive, but not on launch day.)
What about 4K streaming?
PS5 and Xbox Series X support 4K, HDR video, and high refresh rate displays, but we don’t know yet if you can stream 4K content from all available apps on day one. The most likely scenario is that it will vary from application to application – many do not support 4K, and those that only have a limited selection of 4K content. It’s safe to say that at least some streaming apps will show up in 4K on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
To be clear, these comparisons are not meant to argue for one console versus another, but they are still worth keeping in mind if you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X pre-order. over the next few weeks (it’s entirely possible), you should find an alternative way to stream services that won’t be available on your PS5 or Xbox Series X. Maybe leave your old console plugged in, or try plugging your laptop or smartphone into your TV and look at this mode – at least until your favorite streaming apps are available on the new console.
[ USGamer ]