Imagining an Xbox gaming handheld console to compete with Nintendo Switch

Xbox Game Pass Surface Duo Gears Source: Windows Central

While manufacture-leading video game consoles remain a big part of Xbox's toolkit, future growth will rely on new markets. With Xbox Game Pass as a vehicle, Microsoft can grow its gaming aspirations beyond the slim margins of the home console, expanding across PC, and crucially, into our pockets, via cloud-based delivery on Android and iOS devices.

All of this remains anchored in Xbox consoles, though. Cloud games are built to be console-outset, with UI scaled for TV, controls that are gamepad-first, and cameras that assume a larger screen space at a sixteen:9 attribute ratio.

Microsoft does have an API for building "cloud-aware" games, which can present differently if a smaller screen is detected, complete with bespoke touch controls. This API will ameliorate over fourth dimension, as volition the uptake from developers, but a defended Xbox-mode "handheld" could solve the UX gap in one barbarous swoop.

I've always idea of the Nintendo Switch as the ultimate Xbox Game Pass cloud device. Information technology's the perfect screen size, has two separate controllers for split-screen co-op games, and the joysticks are even offset Xbox-fashion. Alas, whether or not Nintendo would allow a version of Xbox Game Pass to grace its platform is firmly upward for fence.

Just for fun, though, what would it look like if Microsoft itself made an Xbox handheld, designed and defended for Xbox Game Pass deject gaming?

Os and features

Surface Neo unveiling Source: Windows Cardinal

Microsoft is working on a lightweight ChromeOS competitor dubbed Windows 10X, which will orient as web app-first, with a side order of UWP. This could be a pretty groovy vehicle to serve Xbox Game Laissez passer on a mobile-first device, consummate with services like Spotify, Netflix, Disney+, Microsoft Movies & TV, YouTube, Funimation, spider web browsing, and diverse other services that be on the spider web. Cheers to Windows 10X and web apps, Microsoft could accept a more "feature complete" gaming tablet to rival the Nintendo Switch, which is lacking entertainment apps in general.

Thanks to Windows 10X and spider web apps, Microsoft could have a more than "feature complete" gaming tablet to rival the Nintendo Switch.

Combined with a bespoke vanquish that focuses on full-screen apps optimized for touch and joystick navigation, a Windows 10X-based Xbox handheld could potentially do far more than than competitors in the space. In essence, information technology would just be a Windows 10 PC, condensed downwards into a tablet form gene. Theoretically, you could even accept other companies like Razer build their ain tablet devices based on this Xbox-ified Windows 10X SKU, leading to more than options and price points. I can't imagine Microsoft would go every bit far to put a sim card tray with 5G into this sort of device, simply maybe a competing device would, at a college toll point.

Since information technology would be based on Windows 10 and come with similar features, you lot could have an HDMI-out port to move your experience up onto a larger display. Y'all could throw in USB-C ports for peripherals, and even Bluetooth. This could exist a fun device that non just serves as a gameplay tool just also a portable Role Web workstation, with a brandish larger than a standard phone.

Grade gene

GPD Win 3 Keyboard Source: GPD GPD makes a range of impressive handheld gaming PCs.

The simply Windows 10X device we've previously known virtually is the Surface Neo. The Neo is (or, was) a folding tablet device, complete with a magnetic keyboard attachment. The status of the Surface Neo is unknown. Given its lengthy delay, I wouldn't be surprised if it had been canceled. If not, though, the innovative design could serve as a strong vehicle for any prospective "Xbox handheld." Possibly yous wouldn't even need a dedicated device, but instead some sort of brandish attachment that turns the bottom one-half of the screen into a physical gamepad. Achieving that sounds easier in my head than it likely would be in reality, but Microsoft's engineering prowess and innovation could probably see it through.

Though, I do feel as though Xbox and Surface have very different goals when it comes to consumers. Any prospective Xbox handheld would likely target affordability, whereas Surface is certainly more of a luxury.

Source: Windows Central

In theory, Microsoft could build some sort of handheld that undercuts the Nintendo Switch's $300 cost bespeak, given that it wouldn't need beefy graphics or processing if information technology was going all-in on deject gaming. Wi-Fi 6 is a given, with a decent-size seven-inch 1080p display, possibly, with some solid battery life for practiced measure out.

There are a few similar handheld PCs on the market that Microsoft could potentially reference. The GPD Win clamshells come to heed, which come up with Intel chips. I imagine a Windows 10X gaming tablet would exist ARM-based, however, with a fanless design. Microsoft could opt for a thin tablet-like display similar to the Nintendo Switch itself, or perhaps become for something more like the GPD Win clamshells, complete with a mini keyboard for slandering your opponents in Xbox Alive letters. And hey, if Microsoft does purchase Discord, having a mini QWERTY keyboard would probably brand sense.

Could it really happen?

8bitdo Xbox Controller Xcloud Review Source: Windows Fundamental8bitdo's Xbox controller for Android phones.

I know you're thinking "why not just target phones?" The respond to that is, well, they are. As you can encounter in the above image, the electric current solutions for playing Xbox Game Pass on your phone only feel clunky. Even the best telephone clips for Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming are clunky to use. The Nintendo Switch and the iPad both bear witness that people are willing to carry two carve up devices that have specialized purposes.

In my experience, the best devices for Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming are tablets, cheers to their larger displays. Phone notifications are intrusive while gaming and the bear on on battery life is obvious. Sometimes yous just demand things to be separate, and an Xbox handheld would solve that puzzler.

Could information technology really happen? In my opinion, that'southward a firm yeah.

An Xbox handheld would also drive interest in the Xbox Game Laissez passer service, particularly if it meets a level of quality that puts it up confronting the Nintendo Switch and other famous handhelds.

At that place have been rumors and even Microsoft Research papers for years exploring the thought of an "Xbox handheld," but could it really happen? In my opinion, that's a firm yep. Microsoft has all the expertise in-house to achieve something similar this, and arguably already has with the Surface Duo.

It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to envision a lightweight Windows 10X-powered device that tin provide Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming, alongside some potent web-based apps and services for practiced measure. And I for 1 promise they do do it.

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