The feature makes the Xbox App closer to the level of convenience that has long been associated with Steam Deck, where interface control using the controller is implemented as naturally as possible.
Users can navigate the interface, click buttons, and work with applications without a mouse or touch screen. The feature is especially useful for handheld devices like ASUS ROG Ally, where navigation used to be less convenient. The new feature is currently only available to Xbox Insider program members.
The system is similar to the "desktop mode" used on other devices, but is now directly integrated with the Xbox app. This allows you to use the left analog stick to control the cursor, the gamepad buttons as mouse buttons, and the interface has become more natural.
This is part of the Xbox Full Screen Experience concept – an attempt to create a console-like interface on Windows. Previously, users often had to switch between control modes, which complicated navigation.
The feature will simplify working with the application outside of games: launching launchers, configuring the system, and viewing the library. Microsoft is gradually moving towards the idea of a "console Windows", where the gamepad will become the main way to control the system.