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Microsoft started including Bluetooth support on its latest Xbox One controllers, but for older models the company is unveiling a new way you can connect a controller to a PC without wires or USB dongles. It's called Xbox Wireless and it's designed to let any Xbox accessories work with PCs that integrate the Xbox Wireless platform. The first device to support Microsoft's Xbox Wireless is Lenovo's latest IdeaCentre Y710 Cube gaming PC.
Microsoft uses a proprietary wireless communication protocol (not Wi-Fi Direct) to connect Xbox One controllers to its gaming console, so PC makers won't be able to simply enable this with software. Instead, Microsoft worked with Lenovo to integrate a Xbox Wireless Adapter into the chassis of the IdeaCentre Y710 Cube. It's the "first time this has ever been done officially," according to Microsoft's Will Tuttle.
In the future Microsoft is planning to launch a range of Xbox Wireless accessories like joysticks and headsets from partners such as Astro, HyperX, Lenovo, Mad Catz, PDP, Plantronics, Razer, SteelSeries, and Turtle Beach. Microsoft is also planning to "enable direct integration of Xbox Wireless into PC motherboards" with its hardware partners, which could mean we'll see this type of integration on Microsoft's range of Surface devices in the future.