Potential Collaboration Between Microsoft and Asus for Creating an Xbox Portable Console
Fresh Take:
It's high time Microsoft steps up its game for a Windows version that matches an 8-inch screen. The latest whispers point towards cross-integration between Xbox and Windows, specifically designed for handhelds, and Asus could be the pioneer of a new era of portable gaming akin to the Steam Deck.
This week, Windows Central unveiled rumors about Microsoft's upcoming gaming handheld, scheduled for a 2023 debut. On the other hand, The Verge confirmed some details from WC's report but added its own speculations about Microsoft's future plans. The sources close to Microsoft refer to the Xbox handheld, codenamed Project Kennan (previously dubbed "Keenan"), as being developed by Asus instead of Microsoft themselves.
This new Asus handheld, adorned with Xbox branding, could feature an "X" button—a staplefound on the Series X console—and a design resembling Asus' current ROG Ally. What sets it apart is the integration of an innovative AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, first glimpsed at CES in January.
Asus, creators of the popular ROG Ally and ROG Ally X (our top-choice high-budget handheld), happens to have a major fan in Xbox CEO Phil Spencer. In an interview with IGN last year, Spencer expressed admiration for the Ally, making a partnership with Asus a logical move. Similarly, Valve and Lenovo collaborated on the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S, with SteamOS and a Windows version scheduled for release.
This upcoming Asus handheld will run on Windows but boast an Xbox UI skin. According to The Verge, a common Xbox UI will be rolled out across various devices, resembling the current Xbox app's recent redesign to accommodate handhelds. The concern lies in integrating the UI with other popular game launchers such as Steam or Epic Games Store. Given it's still Windows, you can expect to access any game emulation apps as well.
The Verge also revealed a new UX, Project Bayside, designed to provide a console-like experience for handhelds and other devices with the combined Xbox-Windows framework. This could include an app store dedicated to its games. To compete with the popularity of Steam, Microsoft might position Xbox as the default experience across OEM handhelds from players like Lenovo, Asus, MSI, and more.
WC's report also hinted at Microsoft's plans for a sequel to the Xbox Series X/S, slated for a 2027 release. This new console might resemble a PC, which would allow Microsoft to utilize its new UX across different platforms. The report even suggests incorporating third-party game storefronts, including Steam.
For a sneak peek into the possibilities of an Xbox handheld, check out this DIY design that reduces the size of an original Xbox board to fit a portable housing along with a screen. Let's hope Microsoft's eventual design doesn't mirror the chunkiness, but adding the classic black-and-white buttons could send waves of nostalgia among gamers.
- Kennan, the codename for Microsoft's supposed Xbox handheld, is allegedly being developed by Asus instead of Microsoft itself, according to sources close to Microsoft.
- In 2023, Microsoft is rumored to debut a gaming handheld, while Microsoft's future plans for tech beyond 2023 remain speculative, reportedly including a potential sequel to the Xbox Series X/S, slated for a 2027 release.
- This upcoming 2023 handheld, projected to run on Windows with an Xbox UI skin, may follow a trend of collaboration between tech giants, much like Valve and Lenovo's partnership for the Lenovo Legion Go S.
- In anticipation of the growing market for portable gaming, Microsoft might look to establish Xbox as the default experience for OEM handhelds, setting it up to compete with Steam's popularity across various devices, including handhelds and PCs powered by technologies like AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip.