Microsoft has announced a new feature coming to Xbox controllers that steals a pretty nice feature from the upcoming Xbox Ally handheld gaming consoles. Currently in testing, long-pressing the Xbox button on a controller will open Task View; letting you switch between applications.
The feature is in preview for Windows Insiders with Windows 11 Build 2622.6682. For the unaware, Windows Insiders is Microsoft's version of beta testing Windows updates and new features.
The long-press appears to be the latest in a series of updates meant to make Windows 11 friendlier to gamers who use controllers rather than a mouse and keyboard — the culmination of which has resulted in the Xbox Ally and Ally X partnership.
"A new change we’re introducing is when you long-press the Xbox button, it will open Task View,” Microsoft’s Windows Insider team explained in its post. “Pressing and holding the Xbox button continues to turn off the game controller.”
Short-pressing the button brings up the Game Bar. This will allow you to access widgets, games and performance information.
The new feature appears to align with how Windows acts on the Xbox Ally devices; the Xbox button will launch a handheld-optimized task switcher, also with a long-press. In handhelds, it has different animations, but it's not clear from the build preview if those animations will come to Windows 11 PCs as well.
Reportedly, Windows 11 will soon let you login with just a gaming controller. Coupled with this update, you could soon exclusively interact with your gaming PC using only a controller.
As mentioned, this feature is only in preview mode for Windows Insiders at the moment. Assuming no problems, the long-press should launch for everyone else in the next few months.
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