Can't afford an Xbox Series X? You won't need one when the Xbox Streaming Stick launches

techradar.com:

Microsoft plans to release its Xbox Streaming Stick sometime in the next 12 months, which will allow you to stream Xbox Game Pass titles to your TV without having to buy a console.

That’s according to VentureBeat’s Jeff Grubb and The Verge’s Tom Warren, who claim Microsoft is gearing up to release the Xbox Streaming Stick in the next year as part of its Xbox Everywhere project. The initiative is intended to expand the reach of Microsoft's gaming portfolio, and extend its Xbox Cloud Gaming platform to new devices.

Grubb says the streaming stick, which may actually look closer to the circular Roku puck, will let you stream movies, TV shows, and the catalog of games included in Xbox Game Pass. Grubb also reports that Samsung TV owners will be able to skip the streaming stick entirely, as Microsoft has partnered with Samsung to develop a bespoke Xbox Cloud Gaming app for the TV manufacturer.

The Xbox Streaming Stick was first revealed during E3 2021. Microsoft said it was developing a native Xbox Game Pass app for smart TVs that would allow you to stream Xbox games directly through the cloud without needing to buy an expensive Xbox Series X or the cheaper Xbox Series S.

At the same time, corporate vice president Liz Hamren said Microsoft was “also developing standalone streaming devices that you can plug into a TV or monitor, so if you have a strong internet connection, you can stream your Xbox experience.”

We haven’t had any more details about the rumored product since, but Warren thinks we’ll be hearing plenty more about Xbox Everywhere, and all the new hardware it entails, in the coming months.

It’s worth remaining cautious, however. Phil Spencer previously mentioned the Xbox TV app way back in November 2020 and said he