Skip to main content

Mouse and keyboard support for Microsoft’s Xbox One console may arrive within “months”

xbox mouse keyboard dtdeals one dell
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Xbox boss Phil Spencer confirmed in a recent interview during E3 2016 that official support for a mouse and keyboard is coming to the Xbox One console. The development kit actually supports keyboards now, and mouse support is reportedly on the way. He doesn’t provide an exact launch window for either peripheral because it’s unknown at this point, but he’s confident that both will be publicly supported on the console in the coming months.

That, of course, seemingly shoots down any possibility that mouse and keyboard support on the Xbox One will be provided in the Anniversary Update slated to roll out on July 29. As it stands now, this massive update will bring Cortana to Microsoft’s console along with support for UWP apps that work across all Windows 10-based devices, the ability to share screenshots on Twitter, better connectivity between console and Windows 10 PC gamers, and more.

It’s no secret that Microsoft is trying to merge its Xbox One and Windows 10 gaming audience. A perfect example is the company’s just-revealed Play Anywhere initiative. This initiative essentially allows a customer to purchase a game on Xbox One and have the ability to download, install, and play the same game on a Windows 10 PC without having to purchase a second copy. Thus, there’s no additional cost, and game progress goes wherever the customer goes.

Unfortunately, Play Everywhere isn’t meant for every game, and Phil Spencer acknowledges this in the interview. “Trying to take League and play it with a controller… or Dota… I don’t know, maybe a designer’s going to try and tackle that problem, but those seem like natural PC games to me,” he said. “And I think that’s fine, and in that scenario you can still be an Xbox Live game and still be connected to all your friends, your save game can still flow with you from PC to PC.”

That’s how the whole subject of keyboard and mouse support on the Xbox One came up. He said that once those two peripherals will be enabled on the console, it will be interesting to see what the developers behind those mouse-only PC games will think about running their popular titles on the Xbox One. The Play Anywhere initiative could possibly bring in extra revenue to those developers.

Hints of keyboard and mouse support for the Xbox One have been around since before the console hit store shelves. Larry Hyrb indicated back in 2013 that support would possibly arrive after the Xbox One went retail, but couldn’t make an official confirmation at that time. Microsoft was currently shopping the Xbox One around to businesses as a computing option given it’s capable of video conferencing (Skype), Office Web Apps document storage (OneDrive), web browsing (Edge), and so on.

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Hades, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and more coming to Xbox Game Pass
hades yakuza like a dragon xbox game pass 2bd644a3 56a9 43e1 806c 2f11fcdfb910

During the Xbox conference at E3 2021, it was announced that Yakuza: Like a Dragon will be coming onto Xbox Game Pass today, along with the rest of the Yakuza games. Along with Like a Dragon, Age of Empires IV and Hades will be on the Xbox Game Pass on October 28 and August 13, respectively. Players who own the Xbox Game Pass subscription can download these games for no extra cost on their PCs and Xbox consoles.

During the conference, it was announced that Hades will be available on the Xbox Game Pass. Supergiant Games' critically acclaimed hack-and-slash roguelike Greek fantasy takes you through the deepest parts of Hades all the way to the mortal realm. It will be released on Xbox Game Pass on August 13.

Read more
Microsoft and Bethesda Games Showcase, E3 2021: How to watch and what to expect
Xbox Bethesda E3 Livestream

E3 is here, and all of the big video game developers are unveiling their livestreams for the event. Microsoft will join companies like Nintendo and Square Enix in hosting a digital showcase highlighting its games. The 90-minute event is a joint Xbox and Bethesda stream detailing new games and content from Bethesda Softworks, Xbox Game Studios, and some third-party developers.

We can expect to see Starfield, Halo Infinite, and possibly an expansion to the library found in the Xbox Game Pass. Of course, completely new game announcements are expected as well, and perhaps even plans for the next line of Xbox Series consoles.
When can I watch the Xbox Showcase?
https://twitter.com/Xbox/status/1397628683481882626

Read more
Xbox Series S appeared in the background of Phil Spencer interviews months ago
An Xbox Series S stands upright next to an Xbox wireless controller.

The Xbox Series S, which was recently officially revealed by Microsoft, was actually hiding in plain sight months ago in interviews with Xbox head Phil Spencer.

With its smaller build compared with the Xbox Series X, the Xbox Series S will fit easier in tight spaces. Apparently, that includes bookshelves in Spencer's home.

Read more