Xbox Nano found to have a hidden cloud gaming feature
According to The Verge, the controller will be able to send commands directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers over Wi-Fi. This should reduce input latency, but the feature is currently undergoing closed testing
The miniature Xbox Nano controller has gained the ability to connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming over Wi-Fi, reports The Verge journalist Tom Warren. Microsoft has not yet officially introduced the feature.
Usually, during cloud gaming, controller commands first go to a smartphone, computer or TV, and are then transmitted to the game server. A direct Wi-Fi connection makes it possible to eliminate the intermediate step and potentially reduce the latency between pressing a button and the game’s response. A similar approach was used in the Google Stadia controller.
According to Warren, the feature, called Cloud Connect, is being tested on the new Xbox Cloud Gaming website. Setting up the connection will require the Xbox mobile app.
The journalist expects Microsoft to first introduce the feature in preview mode and then expand its support to browsers and smart TVs. There are still no official launch dates or measurements of the reduction in latency.
The Xbox Nano itself was unveiled in October, and sales are scheduled to begin on November 4. The controller has a compact body, a built-in battery and a programmable Action Button for screenshots, recording gameplay and other actions.
