What you need to know
Microsoft’s $50 Xbox Nano is a pocket-sized, 3.5-ounce wireless controller with a built-in rechargeable battery, compatible with consoles, PCs, mobile devices, and select TVs. It includes a customizable Action Button and will launch November 4, with holiday bundles planned for select Samsung TVs and Meta Quest purchases in the US.
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Microsoft today announced its new Xbox Nano wireless controller, a smaller device that’s compatible with consoles, PCs, mobiles, and even TVs.
The new Xbox Nano controller is a shrunken-down game pad that fits in your pocket, positioned as a handy solution for quick on-the-go gaming. The Nano is just over 5-inches in length and weighs a light 3.5 ounces, so it’s quite portable, and also features a built-in rechargeable battery.
Xbox Nano can connect to TVs that run the Xbox App, including Samsung TVs, and gamers can use the Nano as a game pad for cloud streaming. In July, Xbox announced that ad-supported game streaming was being tested in community previews; this allows users to watch ads in exchange for 1 hour of game streaming time.
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Another interesting addition to the Nano is the so-called Action Button, which can be custom-programmed to take screenshots and capture video…as well as “other frequently used shortcuts.” The Nano’s unique design could also come in handy for gamers looking to jump into the Halo 3 Reclaimer mod–it’s an XInput controller, after all.
Microsoft will ship the Nano on November 4, the same day that WoW Forever comes out, complete with controller support. It’s currently up for pre-order.
Another note: This apparently is not the Sebille controller that features built-in WiFi, and that device is believed to potentially be for the next-generation Project Helix family of devices.
Xbox also confirms that the Nano will be packed-in with multiple products this holiday:
What battery life and charging options does the Xbox Nano controller offer?
The Xbox Nano has a built-in rechargeable battery. Its battery life and charging options are not specified.
How do you pair the Xbox Nano with Xbox consoles, PCs, and mobile devices?
The Xbox Nano is compatible with consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, but specific pairing steps for them are not given. It can also connect to TVs running the Xbox app, including Samsung TVs, for cloud gaming.
Can the Xbox Nano’s Action Button be customized on different platforms, and which shortcuts can it trigger?
The Xbox Nano’s Action Button can be custom-programmed to take screenshots, capture video, or activate other frequently used shortcuts. The Nano is compatible with consoles, PCs, mobiles, and TVs, but platform-specific customization options and the other shortcuts are not specified.
How does the Xbox Nano’s XInput support affect setup with the Halo 3 Reclaimer mod?
The Xbox Nano is an XInput controller, which the story suggests could make it handy for playing the Halo 3 Reclaimer mod. It does not give setup steps or say whether any configuration is required.
Want something else? Ask TweakBot.
To make it easy to get started, we’re teaming up with Samsung, to introduce a special XBOX Nano Controller and 2-months of Game Pass Ultimate offer (for new members) in the US with the purchase of select Samsung TVs this holiday season. With the XBOX app available through the Gaming Hub built into Samsung TVs, players in select regions can use their monthly cloud playtime to play hundreds of XBOX Game Pass titles by simply connecting their controller.
We’re also working with Meta on a holiday offer in the US that includes an XBOX Nano Controller and a 2-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription for new members with the purchase of a Meta Quest.
