TIL that Xbox Controllers can have firmware updates.
Settings -> Devices & connections -> Controllers & headsets -> (Select your controller) -> (Three dot menu) -> Update now.
(Blanked out the reflection of my garden)
Not just Xbox controllers, ~all controllers.
Nintendo hides them really well from you but there's a menu options to go look for updates. My two 8bitdo controllers get quite regular updates, they have their own update tool for it.
I never thought about it but it makes total sense. Thanks for teaching me something today!
Most things that are powered have microcontrollers in them these days, and that usually means firmware of some kind - it's not always "field updatable". A product I was involved in the development of used a fairly standard li-ion battery pack, and part of the manufacturing process involved making sure the firmware on the batteries had been updated correctly
i mean, is it hardware?
if yes, then it has software that translates physical actions to software. that requires firmware.
Not all hardware involves a microcontroller.
All new (first party) controllers have firmware updates these days. Sony has almost identical prompts and used to require you to plug them in via USB to update before they eventually figured out how to do it through Bluetooth. Even PS4 controllers going back almost 11 years now used to prompt for firmware updates from time to time. And Switch controllers will update as well, but usually very subtly.
This doesn't look like Arch Linux.
Archwiki says install windows :)
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gamepad#xpadneo
For this controller to work wirelessly, you need a windows vm for the first pairing, if you are already there, you can update the firmware
I wish.... Very tempting to completely wipe my Xbox and install a Linux distro (Arch obviously) but there's just a few games that I can only get on Xbox, plus the multiplayer aspect of the few remaining local multiplayer games.
For Steam Deck users, my Xbox controller worked like shit on it until I updated it, but to update it I had to use either an Xbox (didn't own one) or a Windows computer (also didn't have one), so I had to borrow a mate's laptop just to update it and play some multiplayer games.
Steam deck has the best controller built in. Why go through the trouble to use an inferior one? If I'm playing with friends, I can just connect my steam controllers.
Plugged in to TV maybe?
Great, I don't have "steam controllers".
I have a monitor above my bed that I connect the deck to with a hub. It's pretty chill.
IIRC there are firmware updates for older Steam controllers that are also required to work in certain cases with Steam Decks.
I had to install a firmware update in my Nike trainers not long after I got them. Welcome to the future.
To what end? Why is there a computer in your shoes?
To teach the computers who's boss with each step
Huh??!?
My vape has firmware updates.
If that surprises you wait until you learn what happens if you have an Xbox Controller and do not update the firmware for some time. It might just start crashing your window manager (component of the Windows operating system) at random times for some reason and the games you are playing just suddenly minimize one or two times per hour.
Have I mentioned I try to use Linux wherever the software I want to use is available for it?
Dammit, I shouldn't have updated it then. That would have been funny as!
Yes they can, and I updated it mine, which I bought only to play with my Android phone (I don't have an xbox) and then Call of Duty Mobile didn't detect it anymore.
What's the benefit of updating a controller?
The same as any other piece of hardware+software:
You forgot:
° bricking the device when the manufacturer feels like you should buy the new thing
Yes, thanks... for nothing?
Obviously speaking specifically to the case of a controller here (whereas the typical had been a fixed product that more or less functioned as expected for a lifetime).
"New features" is meaningless drivel on its own... what are the "New features" that can and have been delivered to main platform game controllers solely from OTA firmware updates? What are the bugs that have been fixed, specifics amigo...
Had to do it recently, because my Steamdeck couldn't use it. One firmware uodate and it worked like butter.
I would really hate if my controller worked like butter.
Guess it depends on the game.
Compatibility to newer consoles or other hardware in general, for example.
Updating to BLE and breaking old wireless adapter support, looking at you Xbox
Xbox controllers may need a firmware update to work on Linux.
My TV remote had an update the other week! Sony Bravia Android TV
Did this to my GameSir hall effect pad too on the very first day.
