Microsoft tests new Xbox night mode

Source: The Verge

Microsoft is experimenting with a new night mode for its Xbox consoles. The company is trying it out with Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring. Its features include dimming the screens, controller LED brightness, and even the Xbox power button. There are other customization options like different dimming levels and an optional blue light filter. You can even set an Xbox to switch to the system dark mode and disable HDR when the night mode is enabled.

As with night or dark modes in other systems, the Xbox night mode can be set to a schedule, either manually or automatically, enabling at sunset and disabling at sunrise.

Source: The Verge

Xbox consoles now support HDR on YouTube

YouTube on the Xbox now supports HDR (Source: The Verge)

YouTube has finally updated its app for Microsoft's Xbox consoles to support HDR. So, as long as you have an Xbox One S or X or Xbox Series X or S and your TV or monitor can display HDR videos, it can automatically switch to output HDR content. The Xbox system has never supported HDR until now. It also still hasn't made its way to the PlayStation 5, but the PS4 does support HDR.

You can check if your Xbox is outputting HDR by enabling the "stats for nerds" panel. Now, we just need content to catch up. Here's to hoping more creators release their videos in HDR on YouTube. 

Source: The Verge

Xbox Canada shows off unusual denim controller

Call it the Xbox Controller "Canadian Tuxedo" edition. Xbox Canada is showing off a quirky and unusual controller for its consoles that is wrapped in denim fabric and even comes with a belt loop and two diminuitive pockets. This is a one of a kind curiosity which appears to be functional and is designed to build some hype while having fun with localized gamers. It is unlikely that we'll see this controller in mass production although Xbox might give some of its favourite gamers and influencers these denim controllers. 

This isn't the first time Microsoft has opted for fabrics in its devices. The Surface line has long had plushy fabrics and even Alcantara which is a high-quality synthetic leather which didn't age well and absorbed grease and dirt. Will we see denim Surface Laptops in the future? It's Microsoft so, who really knows. But we can still enjoy a creative and unusual spin on the Xbox Controller.

Source: OnMSFT

Steam adds expanded Xbox controller support

A beta update for Steam offers gamers who use Xbox controllers additional features. Those who use the Xbox Elite controllers can use Valve's software to bind the controller's rear paddles in controller configurations, offering more flexibility when using extra inputs on the accessory.

Users can also bind the Series X gamepad's share button in controller configurations and use more than four Xbox controllers on the platform simultaneously. Games that use the Windows.Gaming.Input API also gets support for trigger rumble now.

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