Microsoft made me sign in on their Xbox Accessories app to update the firmware on my controller
Had to install this app which then made me sign in (using my work PC) to update the firmware on my damn controller. Wish there was a way to do this in Linux. I'm so over Microsoft's crap.
You can avoid that by not using MS controllers in Linux, or using old controllers with a cable. My Retropie has xbox 360 controller support compiled in and every controller works OOB.
Should check out the Gulikit controllers. Not only do they not suffer from stick drift, they're the same form factor as an Xbox controller but without the MS bullshit. Was just using one in Linux not even an hour earlier.
I can't speak to Bluetooth as I don't know much about it from a software development perspective, but when I first started working with USB I was surprised to find that the hardware is really simple but there's a ton of software that makes it work. Specifications evolve over time to add features or improve efficiency. This neccesitates code changes, and those code changes have to be made at both ends of the connection if you want the devices to continue to be able to talk to each other. Aside from maintaining the interface code, there are probably also changes and improvements to the device itself. Thus, firmware updates. Make sense?
For earnest reasons? 8bitdo does firmware updates to improve stability and latency, and fix features broken when Xbox, or Nintendo update something on their consoles. All using a stand alone app that just phones home and downloads the latest firmware payload for ALL its controllers without any login.
EDIT: You don't even need the app. 8bitdo's website has all their firmwares available to download and install as and when you need. The app is so dyslexic fools like me don't accidentally brick something with the wrong payload.
Microsoft however, may push some bullshit does nothing update simply to make you sign into their app.
I downloaded new drivers today without an account, but there’s dark pattern bullshit trying to get you to install GeForce Experience. I didn’t need to sign in to download drivers though.
Wait for real??? You make an NVIDIA account now? I haven't had an NVIDIA card since my 980Ti... Is this account insanity true for the proprietary Linux driver too?
I just went through this exact thing (even having to install on my work computer). As others said, if you hit cancel like three times it lets you proceed.
Hopefully you didn't have to then do what I did: spin up a VM so the controller sees the exact bluetooth controller in windows, then go back and pair in Linux. It's extra work sometimes, but totally worth it to not be using windows.
I’ve had my Razer Wolverine Ultimate for over 5 years, maybe even close to a decade now and have never had any issues. It’s wired but comes with a very long detachable usb to mini usb. The original wore out but replacement was super cheap. The thumb sticks are magnetic so you can just pop them off for cleaning or replacement.
It has all the features of an Xbox elite controller and once you rebind keys it stays on the controller so no need to keep a program around.
If this gets annoying enough for you or you want the extra paddles I highly recommend.
At least you actually got Xbox Accessories to recognize your controller. I can't even get it to show up even though it's clearly connected and recognized as an xbox controller in device manager. Granted, passing the usb port through to a windows vm in order to do this probably isn't ideal, but I can't install it on my work computer and I'd really rather not have spyware os installed bare metal on any of my personal machines that I actually daily drive. Even when I decided fuck it I'll throw it on an old thinkpad, it just refuses to boot the win10/11 installer.