Xbox is always releasing new updates as part of the Insider program before they’re rolled out to everyone, and one of the latest updates adds a couple of notable new features – one for Discord, and one for specific types of controllers.
We’ll start with Discord, with Xbox now offering the ability to join direct message voice channels directly from your console. Here’s what the explanation says about this on the official Xbox website:
“Your direct message voice channels can now be joined right from your Xbox! Just open the guide, head to Parties & chats, select Discord, then choose Direct Voice Chats to find the list of direct message channels you are able to join.”
Beyond this, the Xbox Accessories App is now allowing those with an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and/or Xbox Adaptive Controller to map the thumbsticks to button, keyboard or even mouse inputs. In regards to the latter, this means you can now play Xbox games with mouse and keyboard support in this way if you wish!
“You can now use your controller to move the mouse pointer and input mouse clicks in games and apps that support mouse input. To get started, check the Xbox Accessories app, select Configure, then create a new profile or edit an existing one. Set your thumbstick to control the mouse, then you can set your desired buttons to left, right, and middle click.”
As things stand, both of these new features are only available to members of the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead rings of the Xbox Insider program. They’ll roll out to everyone eventually, but it might be a little while before that happens.