Microsoft has paused the event of its Xbox handheld gaming console, in keeping with a report. Beforehand anticipated to reach as a part of the corporate’s subsequent era of consoles, the native Xbox handheld has been placed on the back-burner. The Redmond firm is reportedly engaged on optimising Home windows 11 for handheld consoles, in order that it’s on par with Valve’s SteamOS, which presents higher efficiency and battery effectivity. Different upcoming consoles, just like the Xbox-branded Asus system (codenamed Venture Kennan) are mentioned to be unaffected by Microsoft’s resolution.
Microsoft Shifts Focus to Home windows 11 Amid Menace From SteamOS
Home windows Central reviews that Microsoft’s inside Xbox handheld console has been shelved, which signifies that it won’t arrive in 2027, alongside Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox consoles. The primary social gathering handheld isn’t the identical as different upcoming moveable consoles like Asus’ Venture Kennan, which continues to be anticipated to reach later this 12 months.
The corporate plans to work on optimising Home windows 11 to run on handheld consoles, which signifies that upcoming third social gathering handhelds may arrive with a extra optimised model of Microsoft’s desktop working system. In our opinions of beforehand launched handhelds, we have discovered that a few of the largest points with Home windows working on these gadgets embody poor battery life, navigation points, and software program updates.
Microsoft’s resolution to focus its efforts on Home windows 11 for handhelds may need been spurred by the SteamOS’ growth past the Steam Deck. Earlier this 12 months, Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S, which presents higher efficiency than the Steam Deck, and likewise runs on Valve’s working system. SteamOS can also be anticipated to reach on comparable handheld gadgets sooner or later.
SteamOS-powered gadgets will not be Microsoft’s solely concern, with the Nintendo Change 2 proper across the nook. The Japanese agency’s handheld is slated to reach in choose markets in June, and can compete with current moveable consoles.
The Redmond firm’s concentrate on optimising Home windows 11 for handhelds may enhance the general expertise of utilizing these gadgets. Asus is predicted to launch its Venture Kennan console later in 2025, as per current reviews. The system was lately noticed in a list on the US FCC web site, giving us an excellent take a look at its design.
The report signifies that the first-party handheld from Microsoft may need been able to working Xbox video games, and the corporate nonetheless plans to launch a local handheld. It is at present unclear whether or not this system will make its debut in 2027 or 2028, which is when the corporate’s next-gen consoles are anticipated to reach.
