Microsoft expects to roll out a new Xbox update in the next few days to fix a bug that’s left some console players unable to play their purchased games.

Persistent server problems that appeared on May 6 have prevented some Xbox Series X |S users from booting up their downloaded games. It's also affected Xbox Cloud Gaming, as well as making new purchases on the Xbox store. Users that tried to load games were reportedly met with an error screen that told them to connect to Xbox’s online servers. When they tried to do so, however, they found they were unable.

The unexpected server downtime effectively locked many players out of their gaming library. Even users who were trying to launch offline, single-player games, were unable to do so. They report they facing an error screen requiring them to connect to Xbox’s online servers – when it was impossible to do so.

While the issue has seemingly been resolved for some console owners, many are still reporting problems connecting to Xbox servers and loading their purchased games. Microsoft provided updates on the technical bug since the problem first emerged, suggesting it had been fixed at one point. But it wasn't long before it acknowledged that there were still issues and that it was investigating .

Microsoft has now said it expects the issue will be fully resolved soon.

“We’ve seen significant improvement to the issue that has prevented some users from purchasing and launching games,” The Xbox Support account tweeted . “We expect full mitigation in the coming days with the rollout of a new update.”

DRM woes

Disgruntled players have replied to Xbox Support in droves, complaining that they’re still unable to boot up their library of purchased games. They're understandably angry that their console has effectively ceased performing its main function, and can currently only be used to run third-party apps, such as YouTube, rather than play video games.

“Seems I own an expensive brick…”, tweeted one Xbox owner , alongside a video showing the error screen that has prevented them from playing Destiny 2 and Fortnite .

“Thanks, Xbox. Literally nothing I can do now”, tweeted another , who showed off their bumper library of Xbox Series X games that had become inaccessible because of the server outage.

The glitch has shifted the spotlight onto Microsoft's overly strict DRM (digital rights management) policy, which requires players to connect to Xbox’s online servers even if they want to play offline games. Usually, you're able to play downloaded games even when you're disconnected from the internet by setting the console as your 'home Xbox'.

But something's gone wrong this time around. Even those who are playing with this setting have found themselves locked out of their gaming library. Something seems to have gone awry in the console's online connectivity requirements.

As VGC highlights , Twitter account Does it Play? – which is dedicated to checking the DRM requirements of games – says the issue is peculiar to Xbox. While Microsoft’s console is effectively unable to play games without connecting to Microsoft’s servers. The PS5 and Nintendo Switch don’t have such stringent requirements.

“If the PlayStation servers go down tomorrow permanently, every single-player game you own will work offline almost permanently (provided [the] console is working and [your] account was linked),” it said. “There are a tiny subset of titles that will not.”

When it comes to Xbox, it continued, “nobody wins, especially Xbox fans when ALL the catalog eventually becomes inaccessible”.

Apple might have just made the best workstation for audio lovers

While the Apple M1 Ultra stole the show at its latest March event , we were paying particular attention to the company’s advancements in AV.

Among the dozens of announcements from the event was the news that the new Mac Studio - the $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,099 workstation computer that’s aimed at creative professionals - has a key component that audiophiles will really enjoy: a pro audio jack for high-impedance headphones or external amplified speakers.

With it, you should be able to drive even the most notoriously difficult headphones on the market (we’re looking in your direction, Hifiman HE-6) without needing a dedicated amp/DAC. For some, that could be a great reason to upgrade.

We also saw the launch of a monitor that includes spatial audio in the form of the new Studio Display . It's expensive - and it lacks HDR for some reason - but if you want spatial audio everywhere or need it for mixing, it's going to be very tempting.

A computer for all the creatives out there (DJs and audio engineers included)

For years, Apple has been pushing the idea that its prosumer Macs are best-suited for the creative types of the world - video editors, animators and graphic designers. Notably absent from the list of applicable creatives thus far, however, has been audio engineers.

The new Mac Studio moves the needle slightly in that department with its incorporation of a better audio jack.

According to Apple, it’s better than a standard 3.5mm auxiliary port because it has more power behind it - enough to drive a pair of speakers.

That’s pretty exciting for folks who currently own or are interested in buying a better AV system for their computer - and it’s a stark contrast to where the company went with iPhones a few years ago when it removed the audio jack from its flagship handset.

Apple taketh away, now Apple giveth

In some ways, this could be seen as Apple making up for the faux pas it made a few years ago by removing the audio jack from iPhones - an olive branch to audiophiles, if you will.

The blowback from that move lasted for months as audio fans lambasted the company for removing the universal port in favor of the Apple-exclusive Lightning port and Bluetooth.

To see it resurrected (and souped up) on the Mac Studio is somewhat ironic - but we’re certainly not going to complain about Apple supporting audiophiles.

Spatial audio on a monitor? Yes, please

As for the new Apple Studio Display, the one standout feature for audiophiles is the inclusion of spatial audio - a potential first for any monitor. With it, you should potentially be able to mix music in real-time for spatial audio, which could be a huge boon for DJs and sound engineers looking to work in the latest formats.

To do the heavy lifting, inside the Studio Display boasts a high-fidelity six-speaker sound system that's been tuned for spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos . Four of those speakers are woofers and two are high-end tweeters. Together, and with a little Digital Signal Processing, you've got a potentially powerful spatial audio player.

But what if you're not mixing or mastering audio? Apple Music delivers spatial audio songs on Mac, which should be a boon for just about anyone, and Netflix shows and films are often available in Dolby Atmos - a nice feature if you plan on watching some movies now and again on your work computer.

It's not the perfect monitor (have we mentioned it doesn't do HDR?) but for fans of high-end audio formats, it's a very tempting option over a traditional work screen.

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

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 expected it to appear within 12 months. That clearly didn’t happen, so it might be best to reign in your expectations. This time, however, the mention of the Xbox Everywhere project suggests Microsoft is gearing up for a full reveal.

A game changer

It’s hard to overstate just how radical an Xbox Streaming Stick could be. An affordable dongle that lets you stream Xbox Game Pass titles directly to your TV, it would give you a whole new way of accessing games, and one that doesn’t require you to splash out on an expensive console. Buy the stick, find an available HDMI port in your TV, take out an Xbox Game Pass subscription, and you’re good to go. That’s a significantly lower barrier of entry than the current console-focused process.

There’s plenty of reason to be optimistic, too. Equivalent devices for TV streaming services – like the Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick – are sold fairly cheaply. Manufacturers try to lock in consumers with a low up-front cost, and make their money back through subscription fees.

While existing Xbox owners might not be thrilled at the idea of a streaming stick that offers them nothing new, Microsoft will be looking to push the device to those consumers who are interested in playing Xbox games but justify purchasing an expensive Xbox Series X, or the more affordable Series S. Of course, that doesn’t preclude the need to buy additional hardware peripherals, such as an Xbox controller, to actually play the games.

That Microsoft is looking to release the Xbox Streaming Stick in the next 12 months is surprising, though. The tech giant will want to maximize sales of its Xbox consoles, which only released in 2020, before it gives consumers a cheaper alternative. But as Phil Spencer made clear during the stick's initial announcement, Microsoft doesn't think cloud gaming and traditional console hardware are at odds.

“There’s still a place for consoles and PCs and frankly, there always will be,” Spencer said. “But through the cloud, we will be able to deliver a robust gaming experience to anyone connected to the Internet, even on the least powerful, least expensive devices, devices people already own.

“And with the cloud, gaming players can participate fully in the same Xbox experience as people on local hardware.”