Microsoft could join the handheld party — with the next generation of consoles

IDK, I think the market is already saturated with these, and there's 2 camps, the Steam OS side and the Windows side. Then again they're talking about a 2025-26 release so HW will be more powerful. If they do, then IDK, 32GB would have to be the minimum RAM, I'm not sure what consoles have ATM so it might be the same amount.
Steam and Ayaneo with theirs, and what, GPD, One NetBook, ROG, Lenovo and again Ayaneo (because they want a bite out of everyone's pie, lol) with Windows based ect ect misc smaller manufacturers.

Then there's the PS Portal for PS5 remote play.

But, then again MS has 2 tiers in their this gen consoles already, I think the S series that's not as powerful as the main console? Not sure how the sales are, could work, have a beefy boy tied to the home and the less powerful one more like the Switch.
 
Marees said:
It was rumoured that the hardware behind steam deck was originally meant to be a handheld for Microsoft but MS developed cold feet & AMD had to go flogging the hardware to others such as Valve (who eventually took the bait)
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Hadn't heard this but did see a video where a user paid to slice apart the chip and take microscopic imagery, which seemed to suggest it was made originally for Magic Leap (same SoC specs which match the internal layout and disabled visual neural net core).
 
I like these handhelds, and find myself using them more often than my desktop pc/console.

I'm less excited for a Xbox handheld, just because my ROG Ally gives me my handheld gamepass fix now.
 
There are whispers of an Xbox handheld, with Windows Central’s Jez Corden claiming earlier this month that “Xbox literally greenlit several new hardware projects in the past couple of weeks.” Days later, Corden speculated about a potential Xbox handheld, and Spencer liked a post on X describing the handheld as “inevitable.” Microsoft has a habit of teasing future hardware: at E3 2016, it announced Project Scorpio, describing it as “the most powerful console ever” before it shipped 18 months later as the Xbox One X.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/12/24067370/microsoft-xbox-playstation-switch-games-future-hardware
 
I could see an Xbox handheld... stealing some of the ideas of the Switch (i mean.. that is MS's playbook right :ROFLMAO: ) ... have it where you can dock it and connect to TV...

Then.. scrap the Xbox "S".. and only release Xbox "X's" for the pure console version
 
jlbenedict said:
I could see an Xbox handheld... stealing some of the ideas of the Switch (i mean.. that is MS's playbook right :ROFLMAO: ) ... have it where you can dock it and connect to TV...

Then.. scrap the Xbox "S".. and only release Xbox "X's" for the pure console version
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Yeah, that would be a pretty compelling strategy. I heard rumors of Sony doing a similar strategy with the PS6. I wonder how much this would affect Nintendo, now all of a sudden MS and Sony would be stepping into their console category.
 
Jez Corden of the Xbox Two podcast has claimed that Xbox is working on a (multiple) new native Xbox handheld(s).

On the Xbox Two podcast, Corden said, “I know that they’ve [Xbox] have got (multiple) handheld prototypes right now”. Corden soon clarified that these are “new prototypes” and not the old prototypes often referred to.

https://insider-gaming.com/xbox-handheld/
 
Marees said:
Jez Corden of the Xbox Two podcast has claimed that Xbox is working on a (multiple) new native Xbox handheld(s).

On the Xbox Two podcast, Corden said, “I know that they’ve [Xbox] have got (multiple) handheld prototypes right now”. Corden soon clarified that these are “new prototypes” and not the old prototypes often referred to.

https://insider-gaming.com/xbox-handheld/
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A 1080p handheld with near Xbox Series S-tier performance and Game Pass integration should sell like hotcakes, especially with the right price tag. That said, the handheld market will get a lot more crowded by 2026. It will face stiff competition from next-gen refreshes of the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw and Nintendo Switch.

Source(s)​

Xbox 2 Podcast

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Xbox-...edly-on-track-for-a-2026-launch.817419.0.html
 
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Marees said:
Jez Corden of the Xbox Two podcast has claimed that Xbox is working on a (multiple) new native Xbox handheld(s).

On the Xbox Two podcast, Corden said, “I know that they’ve [Xbox] have got (multiple) handheld prototypes right now”. Corden soon clarified that these are “new prototypes” and not the old prototypes often referred to.

https://insider-gaming.com/xbox-handheld/
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An 'Xbox handheld' isn't just likely. For Microsoft, it's absolutely necessary.​

~Jez Corden

https://www.windowscentral.com/gami...happen-for-microsoft-its-absolutely-necessary
 
Analysis by Cary Golomb on the Xbox handheld

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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzSwFQJxj1g
 
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Considering how close the Series S cpu is to the series X... (exact same cpu with 200 mhz of difference ?), seem a small distinction.

Any notion that anything Xbox is necessary for microsoft or that it is bigger than AI for them... seem quite the click-bait hyperbole, I doubt anything console gaming related can possibly reach any absolutely necessary for that company...

The complete gaming segment revenues are similar to Linkedln revenues for Microsoft.... (could be essential for Xbox too)

Depending on the timing, having already a library of title able to run on Series S that should be relatively easy to run on it could make that release interesting.
 
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Marees said:
Head of Xbox frustrated by — Windows experience — in Windows gaming handhelds

https://www.polygon.com/24108660/xbox-handheld-console-phil-spencer-interview
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In theory Microsoft could release a version of windows that runs Xbox handheld OS but on all hardware such as RoG Ally, Legion Go, MSI Claw (& a potential Nvidia premium handheld), with Steam appstore & other marketplaces enabled !!

Marees said:

Phil Spencer wants Epic Games Store and others on Xbox consoles​

To grow the console market, Xbox will need to be more like PC

Spencer said, “Moore’s Law has slowed down. The price of the components of a console aren’t coming down as fast as they have in previous generations.” Worse, he explained, the console market isn’t growing, with more gamers moving to PC and handheld options. Now, the notion of subsidizing a console — and forcing players to purchase games through the official storefront to help recoup costs — might not make sense. The walls meant to lock people into consoles might be motivating them to stay out.

“[Subsidizing hardware] becomes more challenging in today’s world,” Spencer said. “And I will say, and this may seem too altruistic, I don’t know that it’s growing the industry. So I think, what are the barriers? What are the things that create friction in today’s world for creators and players? And how can we be part of opening up that model?”

https://www.polygon.com/24108670/xbox-epic-games-store-phil-spencer-interview
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my guess is with the market moving towards streaming style gaming, handheld makes sense for Microsoft as they behind Nintendo and Sony in hardware sales. Also with MS investing alot in AI will give them access to alot bare metal hardware that could be used for dedicated streaming sessions.
 
It seems very likely that an Xbox gaming handheld or maybe even a Microsoft surface gaming handheld could launch within the next five years.

What you need to know​

  • Microsoft emailed out a seven-minute survey that asks questions about gaming handhelds.
  • The survey asks questions such as — what motivated you to get a gaming handheld?, What features do you like most about it?, and do you plan on buying another gaming handheld in the next three to five years?
  • There have been rumors that Microsoft is looking to create an Xbox gaming handheld, so it's possible this survey is gauging interest for such a device.
28 pages of questions when filling out the seven-minute survey

  • usual base demographic info, asking for my age and gender
  • what devices I own and use
  • what OS I run on my devices
  • which gaming consoles I've used in the last 12 months
  • if I have any Xbox Game Pass memberships
  • which gaming handhelds I own and use
  • if I specifically use Xbox Game Pass on any of my gaming handhelds
  • how often I use my gaming handheld compared to my console or computer
  • how important it is for my gaming handheld to be able to stream cloud games
  • What had motivated me to buy a handheld gaming PC
  • Where did I go to learn info about the device I eventually bought
  • What kind of experience did I hope to create with a gaming handheld
  • Do I identify as a gamer
  • What do I specifically call my gaming handheld — WHATTT ??
  • Is my gaming handheld my primary gaming device or is it secondary to a console or computer
  • how satisfied I am by my gaming handheld
  • write out what I find so enjoyable about using it
  • if I think my usage of gaming handhelds will increase, stay the same, or decrease in the future
  • how likely I am to use a new gaming handheld within the next three to five years
  • if gaming handhelds have influenced my likelihood of purchasing an Xbox console or Windows PC going forward
  • thinking back to when you purchased your handheld gaming PC, would you say your overall feelings toward Xbox and Windows have improved over time, stayed the same, or gotten worse over time

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/microsoft-gaming-handheld-survey
 

Microsoft demos 'Baldur's Gate 3', 'Borderlands' running at 30 FPS on the new Snapdragon X Elite Windows on Arm platform, with auto Super Resolution support in tow​


Microsoft's impressive Windows on Arm gaming demonstration offers a glimpse at the future.

A hint for future Xbox consoles, or handhelds?​



Marees said:
Anyone interested in gaming on Windows on Arm using Microsoft Auto Super Resolution upscaling ?


These glimpses of Windows on Arm gaming capabilities could be a hint at the future of Xbox too.


Our favorite Windows Phone afficionado Zac Bowden is on the ground for Build 2024, and has been attending Windows on Arm sessions this morning. During the demonstration, Microsoft revealed that Baldur's Gate 3 will run at around 30 FPS unlocked on something like a Surface Pro 11, which is quite encouraging. Microsoft also showcased Borderlands running on Windows on Arm with Microsoft's new native "Auto SR" Super Resolution support.

At the event, Microsoft also showcased the website WorksOnWoa.com, which is a community-led project to catalogue the games that run decently well on Windows on Arm. Microsoft says over 1,000 games should work at 1080p with 30 FPS, which is thoroughly playable in my view. They also announced that Unity 6 will have native support for game developers, with a demonstration showcasing how smooth it runs on a Surface Laptop 7. "Shockingly smooth," according to my colleague Zac Bowden

https://www.windowscentral.com/gami...orm-with-auto-super-resolution-support-in-tow
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that around an Xbox S gpu in it ? Baldur gates 3 run at 30 fps with a dynamic resolution that upscale to 1080p.

If it is good enough that the new console (with much more powerful hardware than the previous) can run all the previous console games out of the box because the translation it will be less than the new gen hardware gain, that make the competition for the next console procurement easier.
 
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