New Microsoft patent may turn your smartphone into a handheld Xbox

In an apparent bid to take on the popular Nintendo gaming Switch, a new Microsoft patent has revealed plans for controllers that would turn your smartphone into hand-held Xbox.

According to a report in Digital Trends late Sunday, the patent shows “a charging device for removable input modules. While there is no specific mention of the Xbox in the application, a couple of the drawings feature all-too-familiar buttons and symbols”.

Possible features for the controllers include built-in speakers, a headphone jack, and wireless headphones support.

The detachable controllers in the patent looks similar to the Nintendo Switch but a key difference with Nintendo’s hybrid console is that Microsoft controllers would “focus on enabling the Project xCloud video game streaming service on mobile phones”.