Xbox is rolling out a controller firmware update to insiders, with the biggest change being the introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy for supported devices. This will make it easier to pair with and switch from Xbox One consoles to different systems like Windows 10, iOS 15 and Android devices, the company said. Microsoft also introduced DLI (Dynamic Latency Input) to reduce console input latency on older controllers.
Most of Microsoft’s existing Xbox One controllers, including the latest low-latency Xbox Series X model, use Bluetooth for PCs or smartphones and the Xbox Wireless protocol for Xbox consoles. Previously, switching between them was awkward, but with the new firmware, controllers remember your phone or PC and you can quickly switch to them from a console. To do this, you simply need to double-tap the “Pair” button.
Another major update is DLI, which is designed to reduce input latency on controllers paired with the latest Xbox Series X / S consoles. The new firmware means older controllers are just as responsive as the latest models that come with consoles, making gaming more responsive. “We believe it’s important to maintain backward compatibility with Xbox accessories that people already have in their collection and to make sure we deliver the best gaming experience no matter how you play,” the Xbox team wrote in a blog post .
Microsoft is testing this feature today with Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha Xbox Insiders, but it should be available to all users in the coming months.
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