In 2024, Microsoft’s head of gaming, Phil Spencer, said that he wanted portable gaming PCs to look more like Xboxes. But as they say, if you want to do it well, do it yourself. So Microsoft is reportedly working on its own portable Xbox console.
The console, codenamed Keenan, is already in advanced development and could debut in 2025, according to Windows Central. So far, details are scarce: neither the dimensions, nor the price, nor the technical characteristics of the device are known. However, one thing is clear — the new product will have a distinctive Xbox design and feel, which was one of Spencer’s main goals.
However, back in November 2024, Spencer himself said that the portable Xbox «was still several years away from release, and Microsoft was only at the prototype stage. Was he wrong?
As a reminder, the Xbox brand encompasses Microsoft’s gaming ambitions in both the console and PC worlds. Windows Central reports that the new portable device will run on Windows, and the Xbox app for Windows will serve as a portal for cloud gaming.
Some have already said that there are already too many portable consoles on the market, with Valve’s Steam Deck dominating the competition. However, traditional PC manufacturers such as Asus are also actively entering this segment, trying to take a bite out of the market share. So far, there is plenty of room: as of February, only 6 million portable gaming PCs were sold, and another 1.9 million are expected this year. This is very small compared to the 273 million PCs that IDC estimates will be sold in 2024. This indicates either that the market is still young or that no one needs it.
Microsoft has previously produced its own PCs under the Surface brand, but this device will not be part of that line. The company is working with another PC manufacturer to create portable Xbox consoles.
It is not known how serious Microsoft is about the concept of a portable Xbox console. But if we recall how the company has failed in the smartphone market — from killing Windows Phone to failing with the dual-screen Surface Duo — we can assume that this is its attempt to return to the mobile segment.
According to the source, this project has received personal approval from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, which bodes well for the future of the portable Xbox. For a long time, fans have been asking Microsoft to make an Xbox gaming laptop. Perhaps now we will get something similar… but the size of a palm.
Last year, we repeatedly information appeared about Microsoft’s intentions to release a portable game console. It was even reported about availability of prototypes. Company as if she was planning release a portable console instead of the Xbox S.
Source: pcworld
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