Toward the tail end of last year, Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Gaming CEO, mentioned that an Xbox gaming handheld wasn’t likely to hit the market anytime soon. However, this doesn’t rule out other manufacturers from developing such a device with Microsoft’s backing. Word from The Verge suggests that Microsoft is on a mission to merge Xbox and Windows into a unified platform, and they’ve teamed up with Asus for this ambitious venture. Asus, forging ahead under the banner of Project Kennan, seems poised to unveil a gaming handheld device, potentially within this year, that capitalizes on Microsoft’s integrations.
On the hardware front, Asus is building something exciting while Microsoft embarks on another project called Bayside. This framework aims to offer a standardized Xbox interface across a variety of devices. Think of it as a hybrid, where Xbox’s playful skin overlays Windows’ core functionality. Both Kennan and Bayside are pivotal to Microsoft’s strategy of synergizing Xbox with Windows.
Earlier in the year, Jason Ronal, Microsoft’s VP of Xbox Gaming Devices and Ecosystem, hinted to The Verge that this integration was a major focus for the company, with hopes of tangible outcomes by year’s end. Yet, despite the whispers and anticipation, neither Microsoft nor Asus has dropped any official confirmation or teasers.
Valve ignited a fresh wave in the world of handheld gaming consoles with the Steam Deck debut back in 2022, but Microsoft holds a trump card with the array of PC gaming handhelds running on Windows 11. However, Lenovo seems set to shake things up with the announcement of its Legion Go S, running on SteamOS. Today’s market offers the Windows 11 version for $729, but come May, the SteamOS variant will enter the scene at a more wallet-friendly $499. Lenovo plans to release a more budget-conscious Windows-powered version that month as well, with a $599 price tag, though the $100 saving might make the SteamOS version the more attractive choice for many.
Such moves are surely setting off warning bells at Microsoft, especially with one of its long-standing OEM allies preparing to launch an alternate operating system that’s quickly gaining traction. Valve’s pump in competition is a direct challenge to Windows, through SteamOS. Given Microsoft’s current tussles in keeping pace with Sony’s PlayStation 5 in the console market, it’s unlikely they will sit back and watch Valve carve out its niche in handhelds without putting up a fight. To make sure that Xbox and Windows remain the go-to systems for portable gaming, Microsoft must act swiftly to keep its grip on the market.
