XBOX is Testing Two New Cloud Gaming Features

XBOX is rolling out two new features for its XBOX Cloud Gaming game stream service and one addresses a suggestion I made years ago.

They are:

Use your phone as a controller with XBOX on smart TVs. This preview lets you use an Android phone or iPhone as a touchscreen-based controller on supported smart TVs with the XBOX app. This feature is rolling out now to the XBOX app on supported smart TVs in locales where XBOX Cloud Gaming is available.

Cloud Connect with the new XBOX Nano Controller. When Google killed its Stadia game streaming service, I asked Microsoft to adopt its best feature: Direct Wi-Fi-based connectivity to game streaming sessions, which reduces latency and lag. Well, the new XBOX Nano Controller is now available for purchase and it supports Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to Bluetooth. And with this preview, gamers in the U.S. can connect the controller directly to the Cloud Gaming session, just like the old Stadia controller. “That can help reduce input latency, so gameplay may feel more responsive,” Team XBOX writes. Right!

You can learn more about Cloud Connect on the XBOX Support website.