Xbox launches phone-as-controller and Nano Controller cloud gaming previews
The gist
Xbox rolled out two cloud gaming previews: phones as controllers on smart TVs and the Wi-Fi Nano Controller.
The tests land as Microsoft moves toward paid cloud hours and ad-supported streaming.
How it unfolded
- Sep 3, 2026Microsoft announces time limits are coming to Xbox's cloud gaming, drawing criticism from Xbox gamers.
- Sep 7, 2026Xbox announces monthly hour limits to cloud gaming are coming in November; Game Pass subscribers can only use cloud gaming for a limited number of hours each month.
- Oct 21, 2026Cloud Playtime becomes available to test with XBOX Insiders; cloud playtime packs (50hrs for $11.99) offer an ad-free experience with shorter wait times, and Insiders can also try cloud gaming for free with ads.
Key terms
- cloud gaming
- Online gaming where video games run on remote servers and the video output is streamed to the user's device.
- Game Pass
- A subscription service offering a rotating library of games to download and play on various devices.
Source: Wikipedia