Xbox is currently working on their next installment of hardware devices. That’s according to Jez Corden over on Windows Central. Xbox is planning to launch a dedicated handheld device later this year, and will follow that up with the next iteration of the Xbox Series consoles.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has gone on record last year stating, ‘Yes, Microsoft is working on an Xbox Handheld device’ but it was still years away.
Now, Jez Corden, highlights that even though the Xbox Series consoles sell-through rate has declined quarter over quarter. The monthly active user base has been climbing significantly thanks to the purchase of Activision Blizzard and their mobile division and the likes of Call of Duty, Overwatch and others.
It seems that Microsoft has partnered up with an known company (think, Razer, MSI, Lenovo) to create an Xbox branded Handheld device that, if plans are met, will launch later this year. The Xbox Handheld is Codenamed “Keenan,” and will look unmistakably “Xbox”.
Let the speculations begin! I would hope that the OS would be Xbox focused and easily accessible for a controller layout functionality. The device would have a Windows backend that would allow you to add in other platforms like Steam. Think of the Steam Deck with its Steam OS and the ability to access Linux in the background to access other apps and options. Add in Game Pass, Decky Loader or EmuDeck as an example. My hope would be that Microsoft would have Windows operating in the background with the Xbox OS being front and center with Game Pass loaded at the ready for ease of use.
What’s after the handheld? Another Console?
CEO Satya Nadella has apparently greenlit the next hardware for Xbox. Microsoft will look to get ready for the Xbox Series X successor, with a tentative release of the next Xbox consoles slated for 2027. With the loss of the current generation, is it the right time to move forward with the next generation of Xbox hardware? Or are they already too late? Will you buy a dedicated Xbox Handheld? Or the next Xbox console? So many questions with Microsoft and the Xbox family of devices. We want to hear from you and what you feel should be the next move for Xbox!
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