Microsoft’s Surface Duo could become the ultimate Xbox Game Pass machine
Dual-screen dream
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Microsoft’sSurface Duocould become the ultimateXbox Game Passdevice, after a new update to the Xbox Game Pass Beta app added support for dual-screen devices.
If you’ve ever playedXbox Game Passon an Android device, you’ll already be aware that some games have dedicated touchscreen controls. While it wouldn’t be our preferred way to play, there’s a lot to be said for being able to get gaming without syncing a controller or fishing out a bulky clip-on attachment.
One of the biggest problems with mobile gaming, however, is that your fingers occupy a fair amount of the screen due to the controls being mapped to the display. By separating the two, the Surface Duo transforms into an appealing Nintendo DS-styled device, as the touchscreen buttons will appear on the bottom and the top display will show the game you’re playing.
Interestingly, some games will even make use of the Surface Duo’s built-in gyro controls. It means that you can turn the camera in games likeGears 5by physically moving your device around, which is the type of functionality we’ve seen in the past from someNintendo 3DS games.
Power of the cloud
The dual-screens of the Surface Duo are certainly ripe for gaming, then, and with this new update to the Xbox Game Pass Beta app, it might become the most seamless way to experience Microsoft’s subscription service on a mobile device.
Of course, you can always connect a controller and play games on the Surface Duo in the phablet’s ‘Tent mode’ but this would provide a far more elegant solution, particularly if you enjoy gaming on the go.
It’s worth noting that cloud gaming on Android devices is only available toXbox Game Pass Ultimatesubscribers, which is Microsoft’s most expensive plan at $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$15.95 per month. You get all the benefits ofXbox Live Gold, access to the entire Xbox Game Pass library on console and PC, along with cloud gaming on Android devices.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Adam was formerly TRG’s Hardware Editor. A law graduate with an exceptional track record in content creation and online engagement, Adam has penned scintillating copy for various technology sites and also established his very own award-nominated video games website. He’s previously worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor and once played Halo 5: Guardians for over 51 hours for charity. He is now an editor at The Shortcut.
Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas One review: a great beginner’s flight stick
NYT Connections today — hints and answers for Sunday, November 10 (game #518)
Arcane season 2 finally gave us the huge Caitlyn and Vi moment we’ve been waiting for – and its creators say ‘we couldn’t have done it in season one’
