Microsft's Major Nelson has revealed that the Xbox Series X/S contains a hidden IR receiver, giving users the ability to use their older accessories and media remotes with the next-gen consoles. More information about the two systems is being announced as Microsoft prepares for their launch in just a few weeks' time. The last few days have seen the company reveal a brand new user interface and detail more features of the Xbox Series X/S.

As the release of the new consoles approaches, Microsoft has begun to expand the library of Xbox Game Pass, which is expected to be an important feature for the success of its next-gen systems. Microsoft has already added high-profile games like Doom Eternal thanks to its acquisition of Bethesda and is set to include launch titles such as Gears Tactics as well. The most recent addition to Xbox Game Pass is the tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege, which will also be enhanced on the Xbox Series X/S.

The Xbox Series X/S consoles contain a hidden IR receiver, allowing users to control the systems with older media remotes. According to director of programming for Xbox Live Larry Hryb, better known as Major Nelson, the design team behind the consoles hid the IR receiver inside a button on the consoles. This has ensured that they don't take up valuable space or spoil the look of the two pieces of hardware. The fact that the Xbox Series X/S supports the feature means that existing accessories used with the Xbox One consoles should all continue to work on the next-gen systems when they launch in November.


The news comes as a leading marketing firm and industry analyst has suggested that the Xbox Series X/S could outsell the PS5 by 2-to-1. The HOTH analyzed Google Trends data to see which console has been talked about and searched for the most online. According to the report, Microsoft's console has had a big advantage since the end of September and this could translate into far better sales over the holiday season. That would see a dramatic reversal in fortune, as the PS4 has sold far better than the Xbox One during the current generation.

Microsoft's policy of supporting older hardware and software with the Xbox Series X/S is certainly a consumer-friendly move. The company has already confirmed that all previous Xbox One accessories, such as controllers, will work with the new systems. Meanwhile, the next-gen consoles also feature wide-ranging backward compatibility support, meaning players can use games from four generations of Xbox consoles on one piece of hardware.

The Xbox Series X/S is due to launch on November 10.