US — The Verge

The Xbox Nano has a hidden cloud secret

DevicesNovember 4, 20261 min read

Microsoft's new Xbox Nano controller can connect straight to Xbox Cloud Gaming over Wi-Fi. This can make games respond faster, and Microsoft has not officially announced the feature yet.

What happened

Microsoft is about to launch the Xbox Nano, a small controller. A reporter found a hidden feature in tests. The Nano can link directly to Microsoft's cloud servers over Wi-Fi, which skips the usual route through a console or phone. This should cut lag, or delay, when you play games in the cloud.

Key facts

Launch: Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox Nano controller tomorrow, according to the article.
Testing: The direct cloud feature is being privately tested on the new Xbox Cloud Gaming website.
Setup: You pair the controller over Wi-Fi using the Xbox mobile app.
Likely next step: The writer expects Microsoft to call this a preview before full support on the web and smart TVs.

Some background

Cloud gaming means you play games that run on remote servers and stream to your screen. Lag is the short delay between pressing a button and seeing the result. Google's Stadia controllers once used a similar direct link to the cloud, so this idea is not brand new. Microsoft also planned a cloud-connected controller, codenamed Sebile, for a 2024 Xbox Series X refresh. That console was canceled.

Why it matters

Less lag makes cloud games feel more like games played on a console or PC. A controller that connects straight to the cloud could also make cloud play easier, since you would not need an extra device in the middle. The article also says the upcoming Xbox Elite 3 controller may have the same feature.

What to watch

An official Microsoft announcement of the Nano's cloud feature as a preview.
Support for direct cloud play on Xbox Cloud Gaming on the web and smart TVs.
Whether the Xbox Elite 3 controller gets the same feature.
When, or if, Microsoft releases a new Xbox controller with direct cloud support, since the timing is unclear.

Glossary

Xbox Cloud Gaming: A Microsoft service that streams video games from its online servers to your device.
Wi-Fi: A wireless way for devices to connect to the internet or to each other.
Stadia: Google's former cloud gaming service, which used controllers that connected directly to the cloud.
Xbox Elite 3: An upcoming Xbox controller that the article says may get the same cloud feature.
Sebile: The codename for a planned Xbox controller with direct cloud support, tied to a canceled 2024 console refresh.

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