Microsoft Introduces Direct Wi-Fi Cloud Gaming Support for Xbox Nano Controller
Microsoft is implementing a feature for its new Xbox Nano controller that allows direct Wi-Fi connectivity to the Xbox Cloud Gaming platform to reduce input latency.
Ahead of the retail release of the Xbox Nano controller, details have emerged regarding its capability to connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming services via Wi-Fi. This method bypasses the traditional requirement of routing inputs through a host device like a smartphone or PC, a process often associated with increased input lag. This approach mirrors technology previously utilized by Google's Stadia controller.
Users configure the device via a mobile application to link it to a local Wi-Fi network. Microsoft is currently testing this feature within the web-based version of Xbox Cloud Gaming, with expectations that support will expand to smart televisions in subsequent updates.
The Xbox Nano, retailing for 329 yuan in China, is the company's smallest gaming controller to date, featuring 18 standard input buttons and a rechargeable battery. This functionality follows previous internal efforts to integrate cloud-direct connectivity into Xbox hardware, specifically projects once linked to console updates that were ultimately cancelled.