Microsoft has a new patent in the works that if ever acted upon, could make it so that you can play Xbox One games on your smartphone. The patent discusses "removable input modules," which would charge two separate halves of what looks like an Xbox controller — or a slightly modified version of one at least. While this doesn't specifically discuss Xbox games, it's quite clear from the logo what these controller halves are in reference too and they could quite easily connect up to a smartphone.
Indeed these seem like Microsoft's attempt to emulate the success of the Nintendo Switch, with a split-controller design of its own. Such a system would seemingly allow for two player gaming on one controller, with support for motion tracking and wireless play.
Other potential features of the controller system, as per DigitalTrends, include built-in-speakers, a headphone jack, and wireless headphones which could connect up to it using Bluetooth technology. These controllers would be particularly good for smartphone games which offer expanded gameplay that touchscreen technology can't readily address or do so as effectively as more nuanced, button-based controls.
Designer Sarang Sheth from Yanko Design even mocked up a CGI render of what the controllers might look like and the result is quite exciting. If combined with Microsoft streaming technology to render Xbox games on a smartphone platform, this could be a powerful feather in Microsoft's gaming cap.
Image source: Yanko Design
