Xbox Unveils $49.99 Rechargeable Nano Controller

Xbox has unveiled the Nano Controller, a compact, rechargeable gamepad priced at $49.99, with preorders open and a November launch planned. The company describes it as the smallest controller in its lineup, intended for younger players, people with smaller hands and portable gaming. Those are Xbox’s stated use cases, rather than independently established assessments of suitability. The Nano measures just over five inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces. Xbox says it retains the 18 standard gameplay inputs found on its regular controllers, offering the familiar layout in a smaller body. It supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, allowing connections to compatible Xbox consoles, PCs, mobile devices and smart TVs. A rechargeable battery is built in, removing the need for replaceable AA batteries. The controller also has a programmable Action Button that users can configure through the Xbox Accessories app for shortcuts such as taking screenshots or recording gameplay, according to Xbox. The announcement describes the button’s customization options but does not claim that the controller has special cloud-gaming features.