Image credit: Xbox
Xbox is experimenting with two novel methods to engage with its cloud games, and one of them eliminates the need for a controller entirely.
Revealed on Xbox Wire on 4th November, the mobile controller preview is being rolled out on compatible TVs whenever Xbox Cloud Gaming is accessible. The mobile option – compatible with both Android and iOS gadgets – allows you to utilize your phone “as a controller when one isn’t within reach”. Link to your TV using a QR code, and the controls will appear in your phone’s browser.
The second test, referred to as cloud connect, is presently confined to the US and enables the new Xbox Nano controller to communicate with your cloud session via wi-fi instead of pairing directly with your television to “assist in minimizing input latency, making gameplay feel more immediate”.
If you wish to experience the mobile controls yourself, activate Preview Features under Settings > Account in the latest iteration of the Xbox smart TV application.
Xbox has released a setup guide with comprehensive instructions, though it should be noted that both experiences “are still under evaluation”, so the availability and supported games or devices “may be restricted while [Xbox] gathers your feedback”.
In case you missed it, as of yesterday, anyone in the Xbox Insider Program can experiment with Microsoft’s refreshed Xbox PC application. The company asserts it now starts up 60% quicker, various pages can open up to 50% faster, and in-app windows can display up to 65% faster.
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