What happened
Microsoft has opened two previews for Xbox Cloud Gaming that change how players can control streamed games, The Verge reported. One turns a phone into the input device for people playing on a smart TV, while a feature called cloud connect lets the Xbox Nano controller reach the cloud server over Wi-Fi rather than pairing with the TV.
Microsoft said that sending the Nano's input over Wi-Fi to the server hosting the game, instead of over Bluetooth to the television, can cut input latency and may make play feel more responsive. The cloud connect preview opens today for players in the US. Setup is handled either through the beta version of the Xbox app for Android phones or through the Xbox Accessories app on a computer.
The phone controller, which players outside the US can try, runs through the Xbox Cloud Gaming website and removes the need for a dedicated Bluetooth controller. It is enabled by switching on preview features under Settings > Account. Microsoft said both features remain in testing and that access, as well as compatible games and devices, could be restricted during the beta.
Context
The Nano is a new Xbox controller, and a day before Microsoft's announcement the outlet had reported that it could connect over Wi-Fi directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming. Playing the service on a TV with a controller otherwise involves a Bluetooth link between the controller and the television, which is the step cloud connect is designed to bypass.
The briefing
The week in tech, in one email.
The dispatches worth your time, every week. Unsubscribe anytime.