Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

Tech

Xbox is testing two new controller options for Cloud Gaming

The Nano Controller is adopting a Google Stadia trick.

Xbox is testing two new controller options for Cloud Gaming

Microsoft is currently testing two novel controller options for its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, just as time limits for the feature become effective this month. One option involves using a phone as a controller, similar to Google's Stadia trick. To explore this, users can navigate to Settings Account in the Cloud Gaming interface on their smart TVs and activate Preview Features.

Analogously to Netflix, phone-based controllers may not be ideal for rapidly-paced or intricate games, but they could prove beneficial for turn-based titles when a physical controller is unavailable. Additionally, US residents can connect the new Nano Controller directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming via Wi-Fi to minimize latency. Post-setup via the Xbox beta app on Android or the Xbox Accessories app on PC, the gamepad can be connected to Wi-Fi.

This strategy aims to decrease input lag; however, it's not the first time a Wi-Fi-capable controller has been introduced. Google's now-defunct Stadia cloud gaming service also enabled this feature.

Microsoft has confirmed that both controller options are in preview, and availability, along with supported devices and games, might be restricted for now. Nano Controller Wi-Fi connectivity is currently limited to smart TVs and the web.

Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

This story

This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.

Read the original at engadget.com →

More in Tech

Service-worker interviews punish unconditional skipWaiting and wipe-all caches — you need a waiting + compatibility card

TL;DR: When a PWA ship leaves users with ChunkLoadError (deployed worker update + asset consistency—not SSR hydration, WS reconnect, optimistic fold, a11y, bug-bash, or teammate PR), the round scores…

  • Unconditional skipWaiting() leads to ChunkLoadError in PWA updates
  • Waiting + compatibility card recommended over skipWaiting()
  • Service worker waits for old clients to stay open before adopting

Journey before destination

Journey Before Destination I got into software engineering because I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the process of learning, the feeling of writing something and knowing that those sets of instructions were…

  • Software engineering once focused on journey, discovery, and satisfaction
  • AI-assisted tools streamline process, reduce exploration time
  • Author questions balancing efficiency with joy of the journey

Vom Voxel-Stadtplan zum begehbaren Protein: Was Warschau in Voxeln über immersives Lernen lehrt

Vom Voxel-Stadtplan zum begehbaren Protein: Was Warschau in Voxeln über immersives Lernen lehrt Auf Hacker News trendet derzeit ein interaktives 3D-Modell von Warschaus Stadtzentrum – gebaut Voxel für…

  • Warsaw city center visualized in voxel form for immersive learning
  • NexoPeek offers guided tours and professional PDB viewer suite
  • Immersive software aids drug discovery and molecular understanding

More from Wednesday 4 November →