When Xcloud eventually (promises, promises, Phil) gets purchased games access, there'll be no need for the console anymore. Hell, PC gamers could (in theory, anyway) play GTA VI by buying the Xbox version and playing it on Xcloud (again, if purchased games comes to it, it's been promised for years).

YT Music
https://www.techradar.com/audio/audio-streaming/your-apple-homepod-finally-supports-youtube-music-heres-how-to-set-it-up

Tidal
https://9to5mac.com/2022/04/21/tidal-is-the-latest-music-streaming-service-to-add-siri-integration-heres-how-it-works/

You were saying?

It supports services apple decided aren’t competing with Apple Music.

So, Apple's in the wrong because Spotify didn't add the Siri music API?

In 2020, Apple did a HomePod Siri music API, and some services, such as Pandora, have adopted it.
Unfortunately, Spotify, the biggest music streaming service, has still not implemented this

https://9to5mac.com/2023/09/21/ios-17-play-spotify-music-on-homepod/

It’s worth mentioning Apple has released a new API for music streaming apps allowing them to be controlled by Siri through a HomePod. However, Spotify, for whatever reason, has refused to implement the software into its app on iOS.

https://www.techradar.com/audio/speakers/apple-homepod-finally-gets-hands-free-spotify-thanks-to-this-ios-17-workaround

Like, I get it: the internet has a hate boner for Apple, and in a lot cases it's justified. But it's 100% on Spotify for this one.

That’s on Spotify, HomePods have been able to stream from other music services for years: https://screenrant.com/apple-homepod-supported-music-services-how-many/

All good. I was like ”one of these things is not like the others” lol.

Did you mean to link to the song “War Games”?

I know it gets quoted a lot, but Gabe was 100% right. It boggles my mind how people in power over these streaming services just don't get it:

One thing that we have learned is that piracy is not a pricing issue. It’s a service issue. The easiest way to stop piracy is not by putting antipiracy technology to work. It’s by giving those people a service that’s better than what they’re receiving from the pirates.

Honestly, I'd much rather movies and shows be like music. I could subscribe to Apple Music, or Google Play, or YouTube Music, or Tidal, or Spotify, etc. That's competition. Not spreading it out all over. Too much fragmentation can be bad for consumers too. It's why I've been doing my best with buying stuff I really want instead of streaming it. Some stuff I can't buy, and I get that. But others, I'm doing my damnedest to own it so I don't need to subscribe for it.

Side note: I know it (streaming movies like music) is a pipe dream that'll never happen. But still, one can dream.

It's basically the Live Nation/TIcketmaster issue. They sell the tickets to the events at venues they own. Conflict of interest much?

Ah, yes. The "find out" stage of the "fuck around and find out" lesson from thinking "we can do Netflix ourselves." Nice work, assbags.

The Crazy Taxi license plate was a nice touch. I saw that and knew it was going to be Crazy Taxi (which I loved). SoR, CT and JGR were games I loved playing and can't wait to play new versions of.