Microsoft’s Xbox Handheld Plans Reportedly Shelved; Firm to Optimise Home windows 11 Gaming Efficiency
Microsoft has paused the event of its Xbox handheld gaming console, based on 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 affords higher efficiency and battery effectivity. Different upcoming consoles, just like the Xbox-branded Asus machine (codenamed Challenge Kennan) are mentioned to be unaffected by Microsoft’s choice.
Microsoft Shifts Focus to Home windows 11 Amid Risk From SteamOS
Home windows Central experiences that Microsoft’s inner Xbox handheld console has been shelved, which signifies that it may not arrive in 2027, alongside Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox consoles. The primary social gathering handheld shouldn’t be the identical as different upcoming moveable consoles like Asus’ Challenge Kennan, which remains 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 implies that upcoming third social gathering handhelds might arrive with a extra optimised model of Microsoft’s desktop working system. In our evaluations of beforehand launched handhelds, we have discovered that among the greatest points with Home windows operating on these gadgets embody poor battery life, navigation points, and software program updates.
Microsoft’s choice to focus its efforts on Home windows 11 for handhelds might need been spurred by the SteamOS’ growth past the Steam Deck. Earlier this 12 months, Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S, which affords higher efficiency than the Steam Deck, and likewise runs on Valve’s working system. SteamOS can also be anticipated to reach on related 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 present moveable consoles.
The Redmond firm’s deal with optimising Home windows 11 for handhelds might enhance the general expertise of utilizing these gadgets. Asus is predicted to launch its Challenge Kennan console later in 2025, as per current experiences. The machine was lately noticed in a list on the US FCC web site, giving us a great take a look at its design.
The report signifies that the first-party handheld from Microsoft might need been able to operating Xbox video games, and the corporate nonetheless plans to launch a local handheld. It is presently unclear whether or not this machine will make its debut in 2027 or 2028, which is when the corporate’s next-gen consoles are anticipated to reach.
