Xbox Wireless Controller

The Xbox Wireless Controller is the primary game controller for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S home video game consoles, also commercialized for its use in Windows-based PCs, and compatible with other operating systems such as macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. The controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360 controller, but with various tweaks to its design, such as a revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers, along with new rumble motors within the triggers to allow for directional haptic feedback.

Xbox Wireless Controller
A black Xbox Wireless Controller in the 2013 design
DeveloperMicrosoft
ManufacturerMicrosoft
TypeVideo game controller
GenerationEight generation
Release date
  • NA: November 22, 2013
  • EU: November 22, 2013 (some countries, 2014 for others)
  • AU: November 22, 2013
  • BRA: December 1, 2014
  • JP: September 4, 2014
Lifespan2013—present
Input
  • Digital D-Pad
  • 2× Analog triggers (LT, RT)
  • 2× Shoulder buttons (LB, RB)
  • 2× Clickable Analog sticks
    (left stick click, right stick click)
  • 7× Digital buttons
    (Y, B, A, X, Menu, View, Xbox)
  • Wireless pairing button
  • Share button (2020 revision)
Connectivity
Current firmware2.3.2385.0
4.8.1923.0 (third revision)
Dimensions6.02 in × 4.01 in × 2.4 in
153 mm × 102 mm × 61 mm
PredecessorXbox 360 controller

It has had three revisions with several changes to the controller's design and functionality. Microsoft also markets the Elite Wireless Controller, a premium version geared towards professional gamers, including interchangeable parts and programmability features. In turn, each of the aforementioned variations has been offered in various color schemes, some featuring special designs tying into specific games. The Xbox Series X and Series S introduced an updated version of the controller.

Per a partnership between Microsoft and Oculus VR, the Oculus Rift CV1 virtual reality headset bundle initially included an Xbox One controller, up until the launch of the Oculus Touch motion controllers.[1]

Layout
View
Menu

The Xbox One controller retains roughly the same layout as the Xbox 360 controller, including four main face buttons, two shoulder bumpers, two analog triggers, two analog sticks and a digital D-pad. The "Start" and "Back" buttons are replaced by "Menu" and "View" buttons, while the Guide button now consists of a white backlit Xbox logo, and does not feature the "ring of light" that served as an indicator for the controller's assigned number (1 to 4).

Design

Microsoft invested over $100 million into refining the controller design for the Xbox One; internal designers had created prototypes with various tweaks and refinements to the design over the Xbox 360 controller, along with those including unorthodox features such as embedded screens and speakers (which were rejected due to their effects on battery life, and redundancy to the main display and sound system), and the ability to emit odors.[2]

The Xbox One controller maintains the overall layout found in the Xbox 360 controller's design, but with enhancements such as redesigned grips, a smoother build, and the removal of the protruding battery compartment. The controller also contains light emitters that allow it to be tracked and paired using Kinect sensor, and to detect when it is not being held to automatically enter a low-power state. The controller contains a micro USB port, enabling wired use of the controller with the console or on computers running Windows 7 or later with drivers, and firmware updates.[3][4][5][6] For communication, the controller uses a new proprietary protocol with a greater bandwidth than the wireless protocol used by the Xbox 360 controller, reducing latency and allowing for higher quality headset audio.[4][5]

The analog sticks feature a new textured rim, while the D-pad was changed to use a more traditional 4-way design rather than the circular 8-way design of the 360 controller. This change was made partially due to criticism by players of fighting games who, despite the use of "sweeps" across the D-pad in these games being part of the motivation for the 8-way design, felt that the Xbox 360's D-pad performed poorly in that type of game. The updated 4-way design is also better suited for use as individual keys in games that use them for item selection.[7] The design of the face buttons was revised to improve their legibility, using a three-layer design consisting of a black background, colored letter, and a clear covering intended to make the letter appear to "hover" inside it. The buttons themselves are also spaced slightly closer together.[8]

The bumpers and trigger buttons were overhauled with a new curved shape to improve their ergonomics, as the user's fingers now naturally lie at an angle upon them unlike the straighter design on Xbox 360 controllers. The bumpers were also made flush with the triggers. The triggers themselves now have a smoother feel, and were made more accurate.[8] Each trigger features independent rumble motors called "Impulse Triggers", which allows developers to program directional vibration. One trigger can be made to vibrate when firing a gun, or both can work together to create feedback that indicates the direction of an incoming hit.[9]

Models
Location of model number, on printed label inside battery compartment. This is the Model 1708 (2016 revision) controller.

Original

The original controller launched with the Xbox One console in November 2013 was black, with colored face buttons. A commemorative white variant was issued to Microsoft employees at launch, but was not available to the public until almost a year later, initially bundled with a matching white console and Sunset Overdrive.

2015 (first) revision

On June 9, 2015, Microsoft unveiled a revised version of the standard controller, with model 1697. Its shoulder buttons were redesigned for improved responsiveness, a 3.5 mm headphone jack was added near the controller's expansion port, and support for wireless firmware updates was added.[10][11]

Analog (3.5 mm) headset jack (L) and digital chatpad/headset adapter interface, Model 1697 controller

Externally, few changes were made; the main distinguishing feature of the 2015 revision (Model 1697) compared with the original (Model 1537) is the presence of the headphone jack on the bottom of the controller.

2016 (second) revision

A third revision of the controller, model 1708, was introduced alongside the Xbox One S, an updated model of the Xbox One console, unveiled in June 2016. It features textured grips, and additionally supports Bluetooth, which allows it to be used wirelessly on Bluetooth-enabled PCs without the need for the proprietary Wireless Adapter.[12][13] Users can also custom-order this controller revision via the "Xbox Design Lab" service, with their choice of colors, and an optional inscription of their Xbox Live screen name for an additional fee.[14]

The second revision can be distinguished from prior revisions by the color and texture of the plastic surrounding the lighted Xbox/guide button. Prior controller models (1537 and 1697) have a separate piece of black glossy plastic, with the Model 1698 "Elite" also having a separate piece in black, dark red, or white. In the second revision (Model 1708) the front shell of the controller is a single piece, and the part surrounding the Xbox button now matches the texture and color of the controller. It has been made available in white, black, red, and blue colors, as well as other limited edition colors.[15]

2020 (third) revision
Share button

An updated revision of the controller is included with Xbox Series X and Series S starting in late 2020. It has a refined build with a slightly smaller body, a "Share" button, a circular dished D-pad similar to the Elite Controller, and a USB-C connector. It is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X consoles.[16][17][18]

The third revision can be distinguished by the faceted D-pad and share button, which is between the two system (menu and view) buttons on the centerline of the controller.

Summary
Xbox Wireless Controller model summary
Model[lower-alpha 1]Intro.Disc.3.5 mm jackBluetoothUSBThumbnailNotes
1537 20132015  No No Micro-B Controllers packed with launch-day systems are marked "DAY ONE 2013" with chrome d-pad.[19]
1697 20152016  Yes No Standard 3.5 mm audio jack added to bottom of controller.[20] Capable of receiving firmware updates wirelessly from Xbox One console.[21]
1698 "Elite" 2019  Yes No[22] Interchangeable thumbsticks and d-pad; detachable paddles on underside duplicating face buttons; rubberized grip; trigger locks.[23] Standard color scheme is black and silver, but the Elite controller was later available in a predominantly red special edition Gears of War 4-branded theme and a Robot White theme.
1708 2016—  Yes Yes Introduced with the Xbox One S.[12] Distinguished from earlier versions by texture and color of plastic surrounding Xbox home button, which now matches the rest of the controller body. Includes Bluetooth wireless connectivity in addition to the prior proprietary wireless protocol.
1797[lower-alpha 2] "Elite 2" 2019—  Yes Yes USB-C Compared to the 1698 "Elite", "Elite 2" adds a third trigger lock position, adjustable thumbstick tension, extended rubber grip (wrapping around to the front side), Bluetooth connectivity, and an internal rechargeable battery.[24]
1914 2020 —  Yes  Yes Introduced with the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, featuring a slightly smaller body, a "Share" button, a flat concave D-pad similar to the Elite Controller, and a USB-C connector. The new consoles can be used with any Xbox One controller, and existing Xbox One consoles can use the new controller.[16][17][18]
Notes
  1. The model number is printed on the sticker in the battery compartment.
  2. Because the Elite Series 2 has an internal battery, the model number is printed in black ink on the bottom of the controller.

Colors and styles
Main article: List of Xbox Wireless Controller special editions

Besides standard colors, "special" and "limited edition" Xbox Wireless Controllers have also been sold by Microsoft with special color and design schemes, sometimes tying into specific games.[25]

Elite controller
Model 1698 'Elite' Wireless Controller
Elite on display at Gamescom 2015, with accessories
Underside, with paddles installed and reduced trigger distance

On June 15, 2015, during its E3 2015 press conference, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller, a new controller which Xbox division head Phil Spencer described as being "an elite controller for the elite gamer". It features a steel construction with a soft-touch plastic exterior, along with interchangeable rear paddle buttons (with either short or long forms), analog stick tops (original Xbox one stick, a convex dome, and an extended version for increased accuracy ), and directional pad designs (either the traditional four-way design, or a concave disc-like design), and "hair trigger locks" for the triggers that allow users to reduce the amount of distance required to register a press. Through software, users can customize button and paddle mappings and adjust the sensitivity of the triggers and analog sticks. Two button profiles can be assigned to a switch on the controller for quick access. The Elite Controller was released on October 27, 2015.[26][27][28]

Cosmetic variants

A special Gears of War 4-themed limited edition variant of the Elite controller was unveiled during Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference. It features a rustic, dark red color scheme with a blood splatter effect and the series emblem on the rear of the controller, and a D-pad disc with weapon symbols corresponding to the in-game weapons bound to these controls.[29]

A White Special Edition of the controller was announced on August 29, 2018. Although a revised Elite controller was leaked early in 2018 incorporating functional changes, the White Special Edition was another cosmetic variant of the original Elite.[30]

Series 2
Series 2 (top) and original Elite (bottom) controllers

Plans for a revised version of the Elite controller were leaked in January 2018, with a number of new features, including USB-C connector, and other hardware improvements such as three-level Hair Trigger Locks, adjustable tension for the thumbsticks, revised rubber grips, three user-defined profile settings, and Bluetooth connectivity, which had been introduced with the revised Xbox One S controller in 2016.[30][31]

At E3 2019, Microsoft announced they would begin taking pre-orders for the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2; the controller would be available starting on November 4, 2019 at a suggested retail price of US$179.99.[32]

Support on other platforms

Drivers were released in June 2014 to allow Xbox One controllers to be used over a USB connection on PCs running Windows 7 or later.[33] The Xbox One Wireless Adapter for Windows is a USB dongle that allows up to eight controllers to be used at once wirelessly. Upon its release in October 2015, it was supported only by Windows 10. Drivers for Windows 7 and 8.1 were released in December 2015.[34][35] The adapter was updated in August 2017 with a smaller form factor.[36]

On Windows 10, support for the controller is built-in, including support for wireless audio when using the wireless dongle or USB cable (it is not supported over Bluetooth). The controller is also manageable via the Xbox Accessories app, whose features include button remapping (for both the regular and Elite controller), input tests, and firmware update. On Windows 7 or 8.1, drivers are required, and the aforementioned features are not available.[37]

Microsoft also supports Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers on Android, specifically listing support for Minecraft: Gear VR Edition on certain Samsung Galaxy devices.[38]

On Linux, Xbox One controllers are supported by the xpad USB driver.[39] There also exists an alternative xpadneo driver, which supports some controller revisions that are not supported by the xpad driver, as well as additional features. Some of these additional features, such as driver support for the trigger rumble motors, aren't even supported on Windows 10.[40]

In June 2019, Apple announced support for Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers in iOS 13, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13, which became available in the fall of 2019.[41][42]

Accessories

Stereo headset adapter

The Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter allows the use of headsets with 3.5 millimeter headphone jacks with the original Xbox One controller, which does not include a 3.5 mm jack. An adapter for 2.5 mm headphone jacks is also included.[43]

Chatpad

A keyboard chatpad attachment, similar to the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit, was unveiled at Gamescom on August 4, 2015.[44]

Play and Charge Kit

Similarly to the Xbox 360 version, the Play and Charge kit is the official rechargeable battery pack for Xbox One controllers.[45]

References
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