Apple Adds Microsoft's Xbox Wireless Controller to its Online Store

[69Mustang]

Apple has nothing to do with the pricing. It is set by Microsoft. Is the same price you would pay at a Microsoft store.

This is wrong. MS, like everyone else, sets an MSRP. "S" stands for Suggested. Unless they have a contractually agreed upon sell price, Apple can sell the controllers for whatever price they'd like. Just like they can sell any other 3rd party product in their stores for whatever price they'd like. They like retail.

Having an Xbox One and only using the included controllers, I’m pissed they won’t connect to my phone with iOS 13. I’m not going to spend the money to buy a controller that’s virtually the same just to play some light mobile games.

Sounds like you have the old proprietary controllers. The newer models use standard BT. Look at the front of your controller. See the charge port? If there is a small BT pair button beside it, you're good to go. If not, it's as I suspect. You have the older models.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

Apple is one of the largest corporations in the world yet they can't produce their own game controller? It seems so odd to me.

I was sure an Apple-branded controller was going to arrive shortly after the fourth generation Apple TV, but this makes a lot more sense: let people use the two best first-party gaming controllers on the market without having to invest R&D into creating and manufacturing their own.
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Having an Xbox One and only using the included controllers, I’m pissed they won’t connect to my phone with iOS 13. I’m not going to spend the money to buy a controller that’s virtually the same just to play some light mobile games.

I still don't understand the original Xbox One controllers using a weird protocol instead of Bluetooth. Even Nintendo were using Bluetooth as far back as the Wii remotes.

 

[ryecoke]

Nah.. I have used PS3 and PS4 controllers, and I have a XB1 here for some games only on Xbox. Much prefer the DS4 controller. Biggest pro is that the two joy sticks are symmetrical positioned vs. your thumbs.

I'm not sure how that's a pro.

When you rest your thumbs on the PS4, they will be on the D-PAD and face buttons. On the XBOX, they are on the left joystick and the face buttons. Which one makes more sense?

I guess it depends on if you are using the DPAD more or the joystick .. I would assume most people would say the latter, unless you mostly play fighting games.

The joysticks on the PS4 controller are so awkward to use, and the controller doesn't fit your hand nearly as well.

 

[PastaPrimav]

Too bad there is literally nothing to actually play with it.

I've given up on Steam Link because it is just one of the worst user experiences ever designed.

 

[Khedron]

30% Apple Tax included

 

[Act3]

30% Apple Tax included

Nope, Microsoft charges same price on their online store as well.

 

[jerryk]

Apple is one of the largest corporations in the world yet they can't produce their own game controller? It seems so odd to me.

Why spend the money and engineering cycles to develop, produce, and stock something that is a niche item? Stay focused on your core competencies.

Or as Steve Jobs said, " Focus, means saying no to the hundred other good ideas.” “I'm actually as proud of the things we haven't done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying 'no' to 1,000 things.

 

[0837990]

I wish Nintendo Switch's Pro Controller were compatible. That's hands down my favorite.

Same. It Nintendo messed up in one area: Digital triggers are horrible, and really limits compatability with games.

 

[Icaras]

While I love my Xbox One controller, I really wish Apple would design their own!

 

[BornAgainMac]

I have neither Playstation or Xbox and have a tough time choosing between the two controllers. My gut says the Xbox controller is better.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Paying $60 for that controller is foolish, Black Friday or not, is the point being made. Normal price at walmart is under $50 and the article mentioned Best Buy and Targets prices.

Smart by Apple though. Hell, charge MORE for it. Repackage it in a white box, some eye popping product shots and nebulous text about how amazing it is and ask $99 for the "Apple Edition" (smh)

Most of the sheep with more money than brains go in and just buy at whatever Apple charges them in the stores.

 

[Mark B16]

Does anyone know of a list of compatible controller games that will work with the Xbox or PS4 controllers?

 

[esjwe]

This is the new Apple. They won’t bother design there own controller, they use others.
It’s ok to be able to use PS and Xbox controllers, but old Apple would stand on stage, show want wrong with other products and present a better product.
Tim Cook sell services, don’t give a damn about hardware.

 

[0837990]

This is the new Apple. They won’t bother design there own controller, they use others.
It’s ok to be able to use PS and Xbox controllers, but old Apple would stand on stage, show want wrong with other products and present a better product.
Tim Cook sell services, don’t give a damn about hardware.

You might also consider that 150+ million people already own one or more PS4 or Xbox One controllers already, which will help adoption rate dramatically. In all seriousness, who would buy a controller with Apple tax ($150 or more) to be able to use it with mobile games, or the very casual Apple Arcade games? I’m sure Apple saw that themselves.

There’ll probably be an Apple Controller the day that Apple Arcade and the Apple platform becomes a successful gaming platform.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

Sounds like you have the old proprietary controllers. The newer models use standard BT. Look at the front of your controller. See the charge port? If there is a small BT pair button beside it, you're good to go. If not, it's as I suspect. You have the older models.

I do have an older model, I’ve checked the model number and it’s not compatible with iOS 13. . Once this controller dies and I need to buy another one I’ll be sure it’s a newer model. But until then I’m not going to spend $50+ just to play some mobile games on a controller.

 

[Roadrunner571]

I'm not sure how that's a pro.

When you rest your thumbs on the PS4, they will be on the D-PAD and face buttons. On the XBOX, they are on the left joystick and the face buttons. Which one makes more sense?

I guess it depends on if you are using the DPAD more or the joystick .. I would assume most people would say the latter, unless you mostly play fighting games.

The joysticks on the PS4 controller are so awkward to use, and the controller doesn't fit your hand nearly as well.

Having both, PS4 and Xbox, I have to say that the PS4 controller is far better. Initially, I thought that the Xbox controller was more ergonomic, but the thumbstick placement on the PS4 controller is in the long run more comfy.
Also, the PS4 controller comes with touchpad, color LEDs, internal speaker and motion sensors. It's really adding to the immersion that phone calls/radio messages in games are often played through the small speaker in your hand.

 

[Ant2369]

even xbox controller gets the apple tax? i got mine for like 30 bucks on black friday at bestbuy

Kinda hard to compare a Black Friday deal with everyday pricing....

 

[MisterSavage]

You might also consider that 150+ million people already own one or more PS4 or Xbox One controllers already, which will help adoption rate dramatically. In all seriousness, who would buy a controller with Apple tax ($150 or more) to be able to use it with mobile games, or the very casual Apple Arcade games? I’m sure Apple saw that themselves.

Exactly. I think it's an incredibly great move to allow millions of people to use the time-tested controllers that so many of them already have.

 

[69Mustang]

Having both, PS4 and Xbox, I have to say that the PS4 controller is far better. Initially, I thought that the Xbox controller was more ergonomic, but the thumbstick placement on the PS4 controller is in the long run more comfy.
Also, the PS4 controller comes with touchpad, color LEDs, internal speaker and motion sensors. It's really adding to the immersion that phone calls/radio messages in games are often played through the small speaker in your hand.

We're 180 degrees different. I like my XB1 Elite controller so much better than my DS controller that I purchased a Brook Super Converter so I wouldn't have to be without my XB1 Elite when I play on my PS4. Regardless of system I use the XB1 controller 95% of the time. Also, even a halfway decent gaming headset adds more immersion imo, but to each his own. Everyone is going to have their preferences.

 

[esjwe]

You might also consider that 150+ million people already own one or more PS4 or Xbox One controllers already, which will help adoption rate dramatically. In all seriousness, who would buy a controller with Apple tax ($150 or more) to be able to use it with mobile games, or the very casual Apple Arcade games? I’m sure Apple saw that themselves.

There’ll probably be an Apple Controller the day that Apple Arcade and the Apple platform becomes a successful gaming platform.

There is two types of costumers. People who buy a gaming console and the one who don’t.

I own a PS4 and buy that type of products. I can use my DualShock, but likely buy Apple controller, because I buy those types of products. And yes, a lot of PS4 owners that just use a DualShock.

But the rest, normal consumers, who buy a iPad, gets Arcade, will pickup up a Controller just because it’s easier. Apples own controller made for there products. People won’t go and buy a controller for another console the don’t have.

Apple will sell it to me and to normal users. As it is now, they sell non.

 

[ilikewhey]

Kinda hard to compare a Black Friday deal with everyday pricing....

i listed avg day price earlier, 44 bucks from walmart.

 

[konqerror]

Is this the first hardware product from Microsoft to be sold at an Apple store?

Yeah considering Apple has no need to sell a Surface, Zune or any other hardware. Just Office and now this controller.

Microsoft makes keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets and joysticks. Those may have been sold back in the day, especially ones like the Sidewinder ADB joystick.
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Apple has nothing to do with the pricing. It is set by Microsoft. Is the same price you would pay at a Microsoft store.

That is illegal in the United States. It runs afoul of antitrust laws. The closest thing manufacturers can do is a minimum advertised pricing.

I still don't understand the original Xbox One controllers using a weird protocol instead of Bluetooth. Even Nintendo were using Bluetooth as far back as the Wii remotes.

They still do when using the Xbox console. It's based on 5 GHz Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. There's not enough bandwidth on Bluetooth to have low latency controls while transporting the two way audio streams for the headset, particularly because that needs high-res low-latency stereo game audio, while supporting two controllers simultaneously.

Bluetooth mode is limited to one controller without audio. If you want audio on PC, you have to use wired USB.

Look at the PS4 for why: you can enable game audio over its Bluetooth controller, but the quality is poor due to compression.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Microsoft makes keyboards, mice, webcams, headsets and joysticks. Those may have been sold back in the day, especially ones like the Sidewinder ADB joystick.

Yup, exactly. Their ergonomic keyboard has been on my wishlist for awhile. It, like a lot of the stuff they are making these days, is a beautiful piece of tech.

 

[konqerror]

Yup, exactly. Their ergonomic keyboard has been on my wishlist for awhile. It, like a lot of the stuff they are making these days, is a beautiful piece of tech.

You probably should buy it soon. They seem to be phasing anything that isn't Surface-related out. Joysticks left a long time ago, but webcams and headsets are basically discontinued. Notably there's exactly one name-brand external webcam maker in the PC world left: Logitech.

 

[macfacts]

I still don't understand the original Xbox One controllers using a weird protocol instead of Bluetooth.

You obviously forgot about the original Xbox that had a DVD drive but didn't play dvd movies.