Late last year, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, hinted that it would be a while before we see an Xbox gaming handheld. That doesn’t mean others aren’t stepping up to the plate, though. According to some insider information from The Verge, the folks at Microsoft are trying to bring Xbox and Windows into one cohesive platform. Interestingly, Asus seems to be working alongside them, diving into what’s known as Project Kennan. Essentially, they’re developing a handheld gaming device that could benefit significantly from this initiative, potentially dropping it on us at some point this year.
Aside from Asus’s hardware venture, Microsoft is also getting its hands dirty with something they call Project Bayside. This framework is designed to harmonize the Xbox interface across various devices. What Asus is crafting will use this system, which is rooted in Windows but will sport an Xbox vibe on top. The combination of Kennan and Bayside speaks volumes about Microsoft’s mission to fuse the strengths of Xbox and Windows into something rather special.
Earlier this year, Jason Ronal, the VP over at Xbox gaming devices and ecosystem, shared with The Verge that their main mission right now is this integration, and they’re hopeful about seeing some fruits of their labor as the year progresses. Still, while the buzz is building, neither Microsoft nor Asus has thrown any formal announcements our way just yet to confirm these whispers.
Remember 2022 when Valve lit up the gaming scene with the Steam Deck? It sparked a revival of sorts for handheld gaming consoles. But even with that splash, Microsoft still has the upper hand, especially since most leading PC gaming handhelds are running on Windows 11. Yet, things took an interesting turn when Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S, which taps into SteamOS. You can snag a Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S right now for $729, but come May, the SteamOS version will drop for just $499. Not just that, there’s a more budget-friendly Windows version expected at $599 around the same time. That $100 price cut might just tempt gamers to lean toward the cheaper SteamOS option.
This shake-up surely hasn’t slipped under Microsoft’s radar, especially with one of their long-standing partners leaning toward an alternative platform in May. It’s like watching Valve get into the ring with Windows through SteamOS. Given Microsoft’s current wrestling match with Sony over console supremacy, they’re likely not too keen on Valve stirring up the handheld gaming waters too. To keep their edge, Microsoft might need to double down on ensuring Xbox and Windows remain the top choices for handheld gamers everywhere.
