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Rumor mill: Microsoft has lengthy hinted at a handheld gaming machine with out offering particular particulars. Whereas the corporate continues to refine the software program expertise for Home windows gaming handhelds (to an extent), experiences battle on when an official Xbox machine could be launched. Wanting additional forward, hypothesis persists about whether or not Microsoft’s subsequent console will even observe the standard console mannequin.
Home windows Central claims to have heard from sources that Microsoft plans to launch its long-teased handheld machine earlier than the top of 2025, possible as a reference machine for Home windows-based handheld gaming PCs. Nevertheless different publications dispute this declare, stating that an Xbox-branded handheld just isn’t anticipated to reach this yr.
Rumor is Microsoft is collaborating with a third-party producer to develop a handheld machine codenamed “Keenan,” which is able to run Home windows – just like the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go. Nevertheless, not like these units, it is going to characteristic an Xbox information button and incorporate Microsoft’s console design language.
This handheld would possible mark the introduction of Microsoft’s deliberate updates to the Home windows gaming UI to higher assist handheld gaming PCs.
Though units just like the ROG Ally, Legion Go, and MSI Claw are technically extra highly effective than Valve’s Steam Deck, the latter stays considerably extra common – possible attributable to its extra polished UX and console-style working system. Whereas Home windows handheld customers battle with a UI not designed for controllers or small screens, the Steam Deck boots right into a compact, user-friendly interface whereas nonetheless retaining the flexibleness of a PC.
Microsoft has repeatedly acknowledged the need for improvement on this space. At CES, the corporate vaguely outlined its purpose of merging parts of Home windows and Xbox to handle these points someday this yr. Responding to Home windows Central’s report, Tom Warren acknowledged that Keenan is just a broader initiative for PC gaming handhelds in collaboration with OEMs, not a devoted Xbox-branded handheld.
I’ve seen the report about Microsoft’s Undertaking Keenan, and simply to be clear there is no such thing as a first-party “Xbox handheld” arriving in 2025. Keenan is a part of PC gaming handheld work with OEMs, like Microsoft’s VP of Subsequent Gen advised us at CES www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/243…
– Tom Warren (@tomwarren.co.uk) March 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The Xbox rumor mill would not cease there, however reportedly Microsoft has totally authorised a next-generation Xbox console deliberate for launch in 2027.
The machine, which Xbox head Phil Spencer beforehand boasted would supply the largest technical leap within the firm’s historical past, will behave extra like a PC than any prior console. It can assist backwards compatibility, and builders would require much less work to port video games between PC and Xbox.
Taken along with the plans Microsoft described at CES and Spencer’s previous comments about bringing alternate storefronts to Xbox, experiences a few extra PC-like next-generation console elevate the query of whether or not it will likely be a console in any respect. If the subsequent Xbox is actually a full-fledged Home windows-based system, it might sign an entire shift in Microsoft’s method to the online game trade.
