Microsoft launches special edition Xbox Wireless Controller Tech Series

By Dan Thorp-Lancaster
published

If you're on the lookout for uniquely styled controllers for your Xbox One, then Microsoft's newly announced Tech Series should prove appealing. Kicking off with a controller with a military inspired design, the new series is set to feature some stylized offerings that should add a little extra flavor to the Xbox Wireless Controller lineup.

The first controller in the series is called the Recon Tech Special Edition. From Microsoft (opens in new tab):

In developing this new controller series, the Xbox team was inspired by military technology and performance patterns, exploring concepts stemming from combat armor and sci-fi mechanical gear. Premium finishes like a laser etched texture on the front, gold accents and insignia are on the front of the controller. The back of the controller features textured diamond rubberized grip for added control and comfort.

Other than a unique design, the controllers pack the same increased range and bluetooth connectivity as the latest Xbox Wireless Controllers. If the series looks like its up your alley, the Recon Tech Special Edition will be available starting on April 25 for $70, but it's up for pre-order now. We can likely expect more military-inspired controllers to pop up in the series in the coming months.

See at Microsoft (opens in new tab)

Update: Xbox's Graeme Boyd has posted some live pictures of the controller on Twitter if you want to get a better look at it. Check them out below:

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Dan Thorp-Lancaster
Dan Thorp-Lancaster

Dan Thorp-Lancaster is the former Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central. He began working with Windows Central, Android Central, and iMore as a news writer in 2014 and is obsessed with tech of all sorts. You can follow Dan on Twitter @DthorpL and Instagram @heyitsdtl. 

17 Comments
  • RB button will still break if you play Killer Instinct.  LOL
  • That happened to me with BF4 a few years back 😁
  • Funny, LB broke on my Elite.
  • Would be awesome if you could add speakers into the handles.
  • so that your hands would cover the speakers? ​I have tower speakers for that stuff, I would try to avoid buying anything like you've described.  
  • More like fans like in my old Xbox controller. That was nice.
  • This controller totally looks like it was made from the Deus Ex series!
  • Spot on with that bro.. I agree..lol
  • nothin' elite on this controller. No chance, won't buy it.
  • Yeah, it's not $150 with a 90-day warranty, no repair options, no update to the newest controller standards (no Bluetooth/wireless range increase), and no parts that are extremely susceptible to wear, like the Elite's grips.
  • Is it too hard to ask for a revised Elite controller that features Bluetooth and (more importantly) USB-C for charging?
  • This.  This is what I'm waiting for, before I buy an Elite controller.
  • Gotta keep announcing new controllers because they're not announcing new exclusives ever. Just waiting on Shadow of War​, haven't gotten an XB1 game since FH3.
  • how about a controller that works with with the phones
  • All newer controllers that launched with the Xbox One S are also Bluetooth compatible except Elite Controllers -_-
  • New controllers will probably come out when Scorpio hits stores this fall. 
  • I'd just like to see a red light, or customizable color light, on the Xbox button. The white is way too bright for late night gaming.