Hajra Naz
Microsoft just shook up its hardware lineup. It revealed the brand-new Xbox Nano Controller. This pocket-sized gamepad targets young gamers, users with smaller hands, and portable gaming fans. The company is also expanding its internal development. Two days ago, on October 13, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced Xbox Labs. This new research and development branch will push the boundaries of game creation.
A Pocket-Sized Xbox Nano Controller by Microsoft
The Xbox Nano Controller launches on Tuesday, November 3. It will arrive in several countries, including the US and Canada. The price is an affordable $49.99. You can pre-order it now on the Microsoft Store. Standard shipping is free across the US. Pre-orders are not open to buyers in Pakistan. Gamers there will have to wait, as usual.
The gamepad is small, but it packs serious features. It works with Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. It also works with Android and iOS devices over Bluetooth. That makes it a budget-friendly pick for mobile gamers.
The Nano keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs. Microsoft made one big change, though. The usual Capture Button is now a programmable “Action Button.” You can set it up in the Xbox Accessories app. It can take screenshots, record clips, or run other custom actions.
The controller has a built-in rechargeable battery. It charges over USB-C. There’s one catch. Microsoft doesn’t include a USB-C cable in the box. You’ll need your own cable to charge it.
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Exclusive Holiday Bundles & Xbox Labs
Microsoft isn’t only selling the Nano on its own. It’s also teaming up with major tech brands for the holiday season.
First, Xbox partnered with Samsung. Buy a select Samsung smart TV this holiday season, and you’ll get a Nano Controller. You’ll also get two months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft is also finalizing a similar bundle with Meta. That deal targets new Meta Quest VR headset buyers. Official details haven’t been shared yet.
The hardware news arrives during a big shift at Microsoft. On October 13, Sharma unveiled Xbox Labs. The division followed a viral moment. Fans had built browser-based recompilations of popular games like Halo and Call of Duty. Those projects spread fast online.
Microsoft now wants to explore these unofficial techniques. It plans to see how it could use browser-porting methods in an official way. Xbox Labs will also look at AI agents in game development. That topic is controversial across the gaming industry. Microsoft is moving ahead anyway.
The 25th Anniversary X25 Controller
Collectors have another option coming soon. Next Tuesday, October 20, Microsoft will launch the Xbox X25 Special Edition Wireless Controller.
This standard-size gamepad has a sleek translucent green shell. It carries official Xbox 25th Anniversary branding. It costs more, at $79.99. Demand is already high. Pre-orders are flipping between in stock and sold out at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
The $49.99 Nano offers a cheaper, more portable choice than the premium models. The holiday season is close. We’ll soon see whether this compact design tops the sales charts.
