Microsoft's Surface Duo could become the ultimate Xbox Game Pass device, after a new update to the Xbox Game Pass Beta app added support for dual-screen devices. If you've ever played Xbox Game Pass on an Android device, you already know that some games have dedicated touch controls. While it's not our favorite way to play, there's a lot to be said for being able to game without syncing up a controller or digging around for a bulky accessory. However, one of the biggest problems with mobile gaming is that your fingers take up a good part of the screen due to screen-mapped controls. By separating the two, the Surface Duo transforms into an attractive Nintendo DS-style device, with the touchscreen buttons appearing on the bottom and the top screen displaying the game you're playing. Interestingly, some games will even use the Surface Duo's built-in gyro controls. This means that you can rotate the camera in games like Gears 5 by physically moving your device, which is the kind of functionality we've seen in the past with some Nintendo 3DS games.
Cloud power
The Surface Duo's two screens are certainly ready to play, and with this new update to the Xbox Game Pass Beta app, it could become the easiest way to enjoy Microsoft's subscription service on a mobile device. Of course, you can still plug in a controller and play games on the Surface Duo in the phablet's 'tent mode', but that would provide a much more elegant solution, especially if you like to game on the go. It should be noted that cloud gaming on Android devices is only available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, which is Microsoft's most expensive plan at $14.99 / £10.99 / AU 15.95. € per month. You get all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, access to the entire Xbox Game Pass library on console and PC, plus cloud gaming on Android devices. The best deals right now on Microsoft Xbox Game Pass Ultimate