Google’s Stadia Controller dream lives on in the $50 Xbox Nano Controller

The Stadia Controller introduced the idea of connecting directly to cloud gaming via its own Wi-Fi connection and, while Google’s platform is long dead, that dream lives on in the latest Xbox Controller. The Xbox Nano Controller launches this week for $50 with a tiny footprint that’s designed for smaller hands or just portability. Microsoft announced the Nano in mid-October. As it turns out, it also has improved cloud support baked in. The Verge noticed that the Xbox Nano Controller supports “Cloud connect” which runs over Wi-Fi, just like Google’s Stadia Controller. Microsoft’s pop-up explains: Cloud connect pairs your XBOX Nano Controller over Wi-Fi for a fast and responsive XBOX Cloud Gaming experience. This is a preview experience and is still under development. It may not function as expected, and features or functionalities may change. This functionality is expected in a future Xbox Elite Controller as well, The Verge notes, and Microsoft says the feature is “still under development.” Amazon’s Luna Controller also works over Wi-Fi, but Microsoft adopting the tech has the potential to bring it to a larger audience. More on Cloud Gaming: Xbox Cloud Gaming’s added playtime costs start at around 40¢ per hour Star Wars: Galactic Racer is free to play on Amazon Luna Xbox Game Pass will get a Google TV app ‘in the coming months,’ likely only for TCL Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.