After the accidental leak of a new Xbox One controller design a couple weeks ago, we’ve known a new controller as well as improved console were on the way.
Major Nelson and Microsoft have recently unveiled the newest 1TB Xbox One, and it sports the newly designed controller for good measure.
As you may have guessed, the new Xbox One is equipped with a 1TB hard drive, a necessary commodity given the size of games released for the Xbox One.
The box is the same, but what lies inside is a nice improvement.
The biggest improvements, however, have been made to the new controller.
Alongside the 3.5mm headset jack, meaning the controller will support virtually any headset, “you’ll also have the option to adjust headset volume, mic monitoring, and voice and game audio balance through the Settings menu on your console”.
You can see the 3.5mm headset jack to the left of the charging port.
Taking it one step further, Microsoft has also improved the quality and volume of audio the controller supplies to headsets.
They’ve also improved the “bumpers for more consistent performance” as well as the controller’s wireless capabilities, allowing it to finally update wirelessly rather than requiring a USB cable.
And if you’re very lucky, you’ll get a special Halo: The Master Chief Collection included with your new console purchase, though it’s a limited offer in select regions.
Finally, in accordance with the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has promised to take PC gaming more seriously, and have announced the Xbox Wireless Adapter as a result.
Going for $79.95 (approaching R1000) when bundled with a controller or $24.99 (just over R300) when purchased standalone, the adapter will allow PC gamers to connect their Xbox One controllers to their Windows 10 PC, through either USB 2.0 or 3.0, and game the night away.
There’s no technical reason for this to be Windows 10 only.
Rather absurdly, the dongle looks to support only Windows 10… for no obvious reason we might add.
It’s probably part of Microsoft’s campaign to push Windows 10, but all it’s going to do is limit sales of the adapter.
After all, there’s now a Steam controller on the prowl, and we’re going to get it over the adapter as a result of Microsoft’s silliness.
In case you prefer the Xbox One controller, worry not. A modder will undoubtedly write drivers to support the adapter on Windows 7 and 8.
More Xbox One news
Rise of the Tomb Raider’s pre-E3 trailer has us titillated
Windows 10: when it arrives and what it will mean for the Xbox One
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WTF $30. Looks like my X1 controller will stay wired ’till there’s a bootleg solution.