Xbox Cloud Gaming Lets Phones Replace Controllers on Smart TVs

1. Update the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on your smart TV to the latest version.
2. Open the "Settings" section inside the app.
3. Open the "Feature Preview" option.
4. Launch a supported game without a physical controller connected, and an option to use your phone for control appears.
5. Open the browser on your smartphone, where the controls designed for that game are displayed.

There are limits. You need a compatible smart TV, and the service must be available in your country. The feature does not work with every title: for now it is limited to a specific group of games and compatible devices.

Xbox Nano controller connects straight to the cloud

Alongside the phone feature, Microsoft has released a test update for its new Xbox Nano controller. It lets the controller connect to the cloud gaming service directly over Wi-Fi instead of relying on a Bluetooth link through another device.

The aim is to cut latency between a button press and the action on screen by sending input straight to the cloud servers. The test is currently open to users in the United States. Setup requires the Xbox beta app on Android or the Xbox Accessories app on a PC, with the same Xbox account signed in on all connected devices.

Together, the changes point to a shift in Xbox strategy: a TV and a phone should be enough to start playing, without a traditional console or a separate controller. Microsoft is still testing the new features before offering them more widely.