Microsoft's new adapter will let you use your wireless Xbox One controller with Windows 10

Wanna talk about expensive? Try going to college, living by yourself, working your ass off that little time that's left after lectures and learning and keep. Sure, it's already a problem fitting spare time activities in there, maintaining friendships, but then there's the "money part" too. One of those XBOne controller+adapter bundles would be 1/5 of what my laptop for college cost (and I didn't buy that for fun, it's just nice to lay back an relax a little once in a while and play some games - because the laptop can handle it to some extend). Sure, gaming has always been an expensive hobby but at least $80 for a controller + wireless adapter is just insane. That's how MS will get me to either stay with my old wireless X360 controller or even to buy a PS4 controller (that does NOT need an adapter for almost the same price).  

You are correct dude! But calm down man!

I just wanted to make a point and honestly don#t understand how so many people are so hyped about this. Imagine if this was news about the USB type C adapter from Apple (that also costs $80) and you need it to plug in more than one device (or even be able to plug in a device while charging). Just mentioning Apple would make people go berserk with "booh! apple is overpriced!" comments but here it's suprisingly okay to pay $80 for a simple device.

Bro, the device costs only $25, it's the bundle (with a controller) that costs $80. I already have 2 controllers for my X1 so I'm definitely getting it at $25

Still should've been integrated as said by QuarkDreams

Yes, I'm aware of that. I can read. But you do realize that there are people out there who don't have an XBOne controller laying around and need to buy the bundle - not just the adapter - if they want to use it with their PC (and only with Windows 10, which is pretty scatchy), don't you?

I just have a racing wheel and so the situation for me is same heck I can't buy it too!

Well said in all posts,& not Once did you swear or call anyone an idiot, dumb or stupid good on ya.

Who?

It's not about the fact that the Adapter costs $80, sure it's not cheap but the MacBook could've had 2 Type-C ports like Chromebook Pixel 2 and same is with this Controller it could've been integrated like PS4 controller seriously!

Well, it kinda is. To be fair, you don't need the adapter to use an XBOne controller with your PC (works with the wire without additional costs) but we pretty much got rid of wired controllers with the last generation of consoles. It feels like a step back and to be "up to date" you need to pay extra. I'm curious about the Steam controller, though. Not cheap either (45€) and the weird touchpad thingies, only one analog stick, but who knows. The XBOne controller got me interested because I like the X360 controller already but the digipad is squishy (using the one that came with my X360 Elite from before college). But the price is too much for me so I got excited for nothing -_-

Steam Controller... Hmm well I don't know much about it but that reminds me I mostly play CS GO on Steam why do I even need a $80 controller

The Steam controller is more targeted for owners of a Steambox (pre-built, small form-factor PCs for gaming with SteamOS installed - simple version of Linux for the use in a living room, just like XBMC for HTPCs) or the Steam link (for streaming games from your PC directly to your TV. It's more of a "hey, this one works out of the box. no stupid driver installation or key-rebinding necessary". The touchpads are supposed to close the gap between analog sticks and a mouse (regarding the precision) and might be a good thing since using a mouse and keyboard on your couch still ain't that comfortable.

Well still good to continue with my monitor, keyboard and mouse! Maybe I'll think about it later!

You people do realize you are complaining about a thing that didn't even exist 24 hours ago?  If $25 is too much to pay for something you didnt even realize you needed yesterday, why not go back to that point in your life and don't worry about it.  If you can't afford it, the fact you won't have shouldn't even bother you in the least.

Haha it's not that we can't afford it we are not beggars but cost to features ratio is also something that's the same reason I don't or many people don't buy Apple stuff

So plug a micro USB cable into your XBone controller and into your PC.   Just like that you're using your controller on your PC for the cost of $0.

The problem is I don't have a Xbox One controller -_-

This negates the purpose of this wireless adapter. We are already able to use the XBOne controller with a cable. The point is that PC users have to pay extra for a "feature" that XBOne users can use without any additional cost. Plus, the adapter requires Windows 10 which is pretty sketchy. Same goes for DX12, requires Win10.

Plus its a healthy discussion from people who have a point. It seems to agitate you the fact that the conversation is so relaxed,it's twisting you up so much inside you want to scream. Relax and join in you might enjoy it.

Who are you talking about again? :P

Can see a Monty Python sketch starting here :-)

The 360 controller doesn't support audio and in-game chat. Just plug your favorite headset in to the controller. Now also includes a 3.5 mm connector also.

Don't care about that. Plus, the audio quality gets degraded by making the signal go through the controller first. This feature is pretty useless if I were to use a dedicated mic and headphones, the controller can't supply enough power for 600ohm cans and something like an AT2020. Paying extra for features I don't want/need would be a waste of money.
 

I will take your money and buy one for me :P

Hahaha

Lol @ L0gic, same way I feel. So I'll soon be able to stream my xbox games to my laptop & use the X1 controller? Wow!!!

Thought the controller could originally do this out of the box

Nice

Nice!

Awesome! Now that's the way to uniform different platforms. Simple dongle and you're already hooked up!

If only it just works on BT like PlayStation controllers. No dongle need. But whatever works I guess. Wondering if this tech is better response time than using BT. Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

It has a much lower latency and higher bit-rate than BT, at the expense of more power consumption.

Ironically the battery life of PS4 controllers is pathetic compared to the one/360. That being said they do have a lot more tech in them.

250 mb/s for Wi-Fi direct versus 3mb/s for Bluetooth 2.1

COME ON DADDY POP CHO WALLET AND D
SLAP DAT CASH DOWN

Why so big?

The one for Xbox 360 was "big" too. But this one is smaller.

Most likely it has a large antenna to give a more consistent connection and better range.

That's what she said! (to me, obviously :P)

The wireless connection is Wi-Fi direct

Unfortunately, this isn't true. The controller uses a proprietary wireless protocol which was designed specifically for lower latency. If the controller did support WiFi Direct we (well, at least some of us with compatible computers) won't need the dongle at all. The console does support WiFi Direct though.

No kidding. They pack all that goodness into a small package with the SP3 but then come out with this huge wireless gaming adapter. It should be the size of those itty bitty Logitech receivers.

Need this asap!

This "adapter" needs to be built into new phone hardware and surface!!!  Streaming xbox games to my phablet using xbox controller... that is a killer feature.  Windows 10 mobile needs some selling points!

There is an adapter for the phone which there is 2 ports. One for the phone and a USB port. So, there is a way to use the controller with the phone after all!

In the future when they figure out white-fi

No. Look at the size of this. We need to have USB OTG. Then you just need a USB cable to conect this to the phone.

Yes, all MS premium products should have this built in.

If your phablet is in wireless range of the PC running the game, then presumably so is the controller.  I don't see why the controller would need to talk to the phone at all.

Sounds good!

Smaller that the XBox360 one, but still massive.  Like one of the old school wireless keyboard/mouse adapters.  Should have tried to squeeze it into a nano size.

Does not look like a "killer" feature to me. They already have it for the Xbox 360 controller, not really an improvement. Not spending my money on that. Built in? Can't be that hard.

It sites when there are millions of system makers out there. Is everyone buying a new computer?

It's because the connection standard is actually based on white-fi which has yet to be formalized

It's a potential killer feature with Windows 10 and owners of the Xbox One since you'll be able to stream games from the Xbox One to a Windows 10 desktop/laptop/tablet... phone?

Why build something in that only 1% of people will use. It would just drive up costs. Ultimately that extra cost will drive more customers away than encourage new ones.

Nice, will be buying the bundle as I wanted both a second controller as well as one to use on my PC rig for the console games I want to stream when the lounge room TV is otherwise dominated by other family members! ;)

Xbox 360 adapter supported 4, this one looks like it's just 1

Presumption. Looks... Time will tell.

Looking at a picture, I think you're completely right...

Maybe its got a gui interface to go with it

Hopefully it works better than the Xbox 360 wireless adapter that always cuts out, is annoying to connect, has driver issues, and randomly makes you player two.

Never had these issue you speak of.  I used to play Monster Hunter Frontier online on the PC with friends using my 360 controller, poured hundreds of hours into that game, in fact all the players in my guild ended up buying one, no one even had these issues, and the quality of the pad was miles better than most of the PC controllers on the market then, especially when it comes to durability and button response.   I also paired the adapter with the Rock Band guitar and played fanmade guitar freak songs, also worked perfectly.

What program are you using to run your 360 controller on the PC? I always had problems using it with PC games because it doesn't come with a program to map the keyboard strokes to the controller. 

You shouldn't need a specific program. Most games released for PC fully support the XBOX 360 and One controllers out of the box. In fact, the game UI usually changes to even show the correct buttons on the controllers to push.  If the game does not natively support the XBOX controllers, you can map the buttons using the Windows "Game Controllers" options. The easiest way to get there is to open the Start Menu and search for "USB Game". The specific option needed is called, "Set up USB game controllers".

Ever tried pgp(pinnacle game profile) or for advanced use xpadder

Sounds like you might have a third-party copy of the wireless adapter.  They look exactly the same, so you might not have noticed, but they usually come with their own crappy drivers.  Force the Microsoft driver onto it in Device Manager and you'll not have any issues with it.

Glad I held off buying a 360 controller for my Surface Pro 3 :)

For those who don't know, you can already use your Xbox One controllers with your PC today using a micro USB cable. Not wireless, but it works great!

Yeah very easy Plug n Play, only helps if you're gaming at a desk. But for those with bigger setups can benefit with the wireless adapter. 

the charging kit comes with a very long cable, enough to play across small rooms.

& the controller + cable ed.

That's a good price actually! Can't wait to pick one up hopefully September. 

Why are the drivers not built into the OS????

They will be built into Windows 10. Already are in the Tech Preview. The wireless device was just announced. The drivers should also be built into Windows 10.

Oh, for pity's sake!  I don't want to use a controller on my PC.  I want to use my keyboard and mouse on my Xbox One!  I refuse to play games with a controller.

Yes, keyboard and mouse on Xbox One would be great!

Wish they'd have that for preview app as its a pain to use smartass to type out problem reports

For FPS and RTS games I totally agree, but controllers definitely have their place. For example, I used my Xbox One controller on my laptop just the other day to play some Wing Commander 1. Soooo much easier to control it with a thumbstick than the keyboard keys.

You're both wrong and right--gamepads are hugely popular in PC gaming right now, since joysticks havely largely stopped existing except for the handful of us who buy Saiteks to play increasingly rare (and exclusively Russian-developed) flight sims. Behind KBAM, the second most popular controller on Steam is easily the Xbox 360 gamepad. So yes, millions of gamers worldwide do want to use a controller on their PCs (and don't want to use jury-rigged patches for BT on as with the Dual Shock controller). That being said, yeah, I can think of more than a few cases where a KBAM would be really desirable on PC (mostly dealing with FPS, and maybe strategy games if those start coming out on console again). But even besides that, mouse support for browsers in Xbox One would really, really help people out. Of course, the majority of us who don't use our consoles at a desk aren't going to really use KBAM for gaming, rather than media, purposes....

This is not good. How will I plug this in my tablet? Why have you not made with wifi Microsoft?

Because 2.4 ghz is crowded & white-fi isn't yet due to slow adoption of the tech

This is actually better. I already pre-ordered it along with the newer controller. Here's why...........With a PC's bluetooth connection like the DS4, the more controllers you connect, the higher the latency, This dongle is dedicated and big most likely for three reasons. 1) To be able to connect up to 4 controllers at once with extremely low latency 2) To be able to have an extremely wide connection range so you can leave it connected to your PC while streaming and playing your PC games with the controller far away in another room with a stable connection.  3) Finally, The newer controllers have a dedicated 3.5mm Headphone jack....this somewhat chunky dedicated dongle will allow multiple users to have consistent audio. They wanted to make a better all in one controller hub with multiple controller support with better range, lower latency, and dedicated audio/headphone/mic support, instead of relying on something like bluetooth or Wi-fi Direct. 

Awesome! Great price point, too.

Does it support 4 at once like the 360 one did

It should as white-fi has more then enough bandwidth

Hell no! 80 bucks so I can use a controller wirelessly with my PC in 2015?

It's 80 bucks with a controller, 25 on its own. At 25 it's still too expensive to be honest.

I'm aware that the bundle costs $80. What bugs me is that XBOne owners can use their controllers wirelessly without paying extra for an adapter. Despite MS saying that they want to focus on PC gaming more and that it's important, PC gamers still get treated like lower class people.

NEED IT!!!

Sweet

Bluetooth all the way would be way too easy. And affect the sales of adapters..

Not really most pc oems would still have to use a compatible stack for it to be truly interoperable

Yay more dongles!!! Better than the 360 wireless USB receiver at least with its million foot cable

Bring it on.

Can i pre order right now? Just what i was freaking waiting. Thank you, thanks.

Nope ms just announced it & its a small time accessory so id id check out amazon in a few days

Microsoft needs to release software so their Xbox controllers can easily used on most PC games like Minecraft. Currently, Xbox controllers are only compatible with games from the Windows PC app store.  They are not compatible with games from Steam. Microsoft needs to release a software program like their old Sidewinder PC controllers came with, where you could easily assign keyboard commands to the controller buttons and sticks. 

Are you sure about that? I currently use an Xbox One controller on PC to play most Steam and Origin games just fine. Unless you mean something else by compatibility, I don't think your statement about compatibility is accurate.

Agree. Most PC games within the past few years are natively designed to work with the XBOX controllers. Hell, I'm playing through the Arkham series again on PC, purchased through Steam, right now using the XBOX One controller. It works perfectly and even the UI for in game prompts change to match that of the XBOX controller buttons.

did you download an app to conect your xb one controller?

That's not correct. So long as you have the drivers installed (which you should, as it's plug and play), then it will work for any application you can throw at it.

Currently, Xbox controllers are only compatible with games from the Windows PC app store.  They are not compatible with games from Steam.

  Not true at all.  Just the other day I bought the new Lego Worlds on Steam, plugged a standard microUSB cable into my PC and into my XBone controller and was up and running in seconds.

Been waiting way too long for this. So annoying trying to use the Xbox One controllers with more than one person and having everyone using a controller plugged in.

Yea finally... More expensive exclusive crap, couldn't they use normal Wi-Fi instead of making a completely new wireless tech for a controller? Nvm they just want money...

Fail if it only supports one controller.

Dont get me wrong, but the fact that an adapater is required is a fail..........Love my XB1, Love my SP3.........but why the hell do i need to plug a bulky adapter in to use a controller - oh yea, $

You can still use it wired, no money at all. MicroUSB

This is great for bringing Xbox One games to Windows 8.1 today before Windows 10 is launched. I have a Dell Inspiron 15 5548 and can play 2014/2015 games at low/medium settings so this could be a nice setup. However I think this adapter will take much more capability in Windows 10 when your Xbox One games can be streamed to your PC, this is great if you want to play your Xbox One games on your Surface Pro 3 when you're at your backyard or at your bedroom and don't want to turn on the large TV on your living room.

It's a shame it's taken this long to arrive, there is really no excuse for it. It also looks oversized and a bit on the expensive side. 

Microsoft needs a way for me to hook my PC up to my Xbox one so I can play steam games. The Xbox One could act as a hub for a keyboard & mouse/controller. I hope Microsoft hits it out of the park with Windows 10 on Xbox.

wut?

I would love to see a controller that could switch from how it connects to the Xbox to bluetooth for connecting to PC. This tongle is going to a little to big to plug into a tablet for Xbox streaming. I use InputMapper right now to bluetooth connect a PS4 controller to my pc and that works fine. I'd much prefer to use a Xbox One controller though.

What about support for Windows 7? I sure hope Microsoft isn't dumb enough to not support anything other than Win10 with the wireless adapter. Would then once again have to rely on community created drivers as was the case until MS decided to get off their ass and release USB PC support for the X1 controller. And for any smartass saying I should just update to Win10, well I can't because the idiots at HP did not bother to release new GPU drivers for switchable graphics with Intel/AMD HD 6770m combo. I can't even update to Win8/8.1 because of the old HP drivers.  

Lol you think thats bad my vista hp laptop had an nforce chipset that was reused from the xp era. Hp only published vista beta drivers which made it useless for most games.& to top it off it was part of that massive NVIDIA recall which it went just in for repairs about ever 3 months

Don't even mention the damn Nvidia recall, I had my Sony Vaio AR41 go for repairs twice and the assholes at Sony refused to cover the initial repair cost, so had to the refund from the retailer I bought it from, that was a hell of a hassle convincing their legal department I had a case because of the Nvidia recall, glad there are good consumer protection laws here. So now both Sony and HP are blacklisted and never want to see any product from these pricks.  

It would be so darn~nice if this one would run butter smoothly next to streaming your Win10 Desktop to your X1..... Yeeaahhh i'm looking at you Nintendo & Sega ROMs & Emulators!!!!

This 24.99 is burning a hole in my pocket!

Been waiting for this!!!

That's what I'm talking about.

Can we use the WIreless extender WITH the XBOX One? I have a closet full of media equipment which also has an HDMI Matrix switch which routes autio/video to 8 rooms.  I would like to keep the XBOX in the closet but have a cable to each room where I can plug the extender into which communicates back to the XBOX One the remote signals.  Basically extending the USB connection to each room.

Fiiiiinallly! I have an original USB XBOX360 controller I got for PC use a couple weeks before the 360 hit the shelves! It has been a staple of my PC gaming life (when I need a game pad) for all these years. The cord is disintegrating, but the pad has held up so well! I have been chomping at the bit for the XBONE controller, wireless, with a dongle! Will be snapping up one of these for sure. Thanks WC!  // K

So, now that I can stream games from my Xbox One to any windows 10 device, can I use this adapter to control my xbox one?

Xbox One controller sucks, the analogue sticks are too small, they have that uncomfortable serrated edge, the bumpers are super uncomfortable and it has no 3.5mm jack...   360 controller is so much better.

I need the xbox 360 controller to work with windows 10 mobile, i mean they got it working on android, now c'mon MSFT :@