I thought Cloud was all about gaming on the move and taking all your Xbox content with you? Why the need to make an HH where sales aren’t massive for Steam and it will be an enormous battle to take on Steam, never mind Nintendo
The article refers to handheld PCs in every other sentence, but we’re not allowed to discuss them in the comments?
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I doubt it would be enormous to take on Steam. A native Xbox handheld from Microsoft will atleast sell more than 6 million just based on the fan base.
I just hope they get back to the handheld even if they have to make their own PC handheld. I just think it’s dangerous to leave it all in the hands of partners. Atleast do something like the Surface strategy where they have their own hardware platform acting like a blueprint for partners.
Huh
It sounds like you “reprimanded” us twice for talking about the Windows devices instead of the native Xbox handheld. But maybe I misunderstood your meaning?
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Some of the conversation seemed to think that it was an Xbox version of a PC handheld, was just reminding people this was about the full-on native version. Not that you couldn’t discuss PC ones of course, because the native one was put on hold for the Windows versions 
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Xbox fans I talk too and play with are more worried about Xbox pulling out of the console sector, rather than wanting an HH.
Why spend money and divert resources on an HH that will never be able to take on Nintendo and given the Steam Deck numbers you posted, where sales aren’t even in the Xbox Series console league?
Why not just focus on making a cutting-edge console and have a portable HH/Tablet using the power of X Cloud with the next Xbox chipset in blades ,with advanced Wi-FI and anti-lag features, then also look to port some of the better Xbox games to Switch 2 for those who don’t want to use cloud.
Though the thought of a portable Series S device does sound cool
I think the thing is Xbox has not yet done a handheld and I think many just want to see their take on it. There’s been a lot of consumer products over the years cassette players, CD players, Walkman, MP3 players like the iPod and so on. I’m of the opinion that handhelds could spark something new and big probably with the advent of AI. I’m more interested in seeing what Xbox can build and hopeful it would be something new that disrupts the industry. In fact, this multiplatform push is a welcome idea that would hopefully push them to deliver a console unlike before which always just felt like they and Sony were in some ways building the same thing. I think native is way better than cloud. Cloud also requires adoption which is quite expensive and limited.
I don’t see what Xbox can bring to the table that Nintendo or Valve isn’t already and with Cloud I wonder why we need a native HH with its own powerful chipset, which for me will just take money, personnel and resources away from the console side and where Xbox could just make a top class tablet HH as a companion for the Next Xbox console, for it to be a true step over SONY’s rather basic PlayStation Portal. While it was basic and a letdown in the end, I did like the idea behind it, just not the execution of it
Like I said though… There is a part of me that likes the idea of a handheld Series S, but if I were Xbox I’ll be more worried over a console space in the living room and also the threat of Valve or Android looking to push into the PC OS market, not just for gaming, but a complete operating system
Are Valve really going to have a full blown OS though? Like I personally want more from a PC than just gaming, or else I’d get a console, and I personally don’t ever see Valve going that route and keeping it more as a GUI meant to play games easily and nothing more.
Don’t think we are anywhere near being able to run Xbox games through emulation on a Windows handheld though, I have a feeling the power isn’t there yet for it to happen. HHs are only a minority of PCs out there though and if all PCs could become an Xbox with all the library being supported through the Xbox app that’d already be a win imo, with later handhelds adding support.
Somehow I feel like a native handheld that adds windows games support would be much easier? But then again, what’s so special about Xbox hardware that couldn’t be replicated on a normal PC?
Somehow, I have a feeling we are at least 3 years ahead of a native Xbox handheld, maybe even 3 years away from a next gen console launch and the pivot is probably mostly to get more reach while console sales are declining and better prepare Windows for their own first party systems later on.
I wouldn’t put it past Valve even maybe looking to try their luck with their own console again. There’s going to come a time for the likes of Valve or even Android where the only area left for more growth is to look at the PC Operating System I never saw Vavle being the king of PC gaming storefronts, but they bhave ecome and now most people who game on PC will buy and play their games through Stream.
Since HH are so limiting in their power, I would think Cloud is the best way to handle having a modern-day HH that can play the latest console games, along with all the legacy media from yesterday. Myself, I would like to see the Surface team make a Portal style HH for the next Xbox console
Not that I’m against a breakaway from the past and 100% BC if that means a massive jump in power and specs for a new console. I’m starting to feel this BC with past consoles is holding back current console games and development, with so many needing to run on older systems and so few games taking full advantage of current consoles
I was all for an HH Xbox in the 360 era, but now gaming on the move doesn’t appeal to me that much since the dawn of smartphones and proper 4G coverage
There is a lot that Microsoft can bring or leverage that Valve and Nintendo can’t. Valve is a small company and it’s taken them a long time to get here, I’m not sure they can iterate as quickly. As for what Microsoft can bring that will depend on their business. They are into Cloud and AI and looking to further the tech. Xbox were the first to include hard drives in their console. They pretty much also set the trajectory for modern consoles with pretty much making consoles locked PCs and let’s not forget achievements and all they’ve done with the social part of gaming. I think just like they redefined console they could do the same with Handhelds, they don’t need to necessarily follow what others are doing. I also think in a day and age where phones through technology goes with you anywhere why can’t consoles.
I agree with you on the Harddriveand other features on the Xbox, which is why I want Xbox to go back to their OG Xbox days for the Next Xbox
If this were in the mid 2000’s I would be for an HH, but in the modern era and with the power of the cloud I don’t really see the need for a dedicated separate chipset for an HH and I would rather see a cutting edge Portal style HH for the Next Box instead.
So you can have the console style experience with you on the go and it doesn’t divert too many resources with Xbox having to work and fund 2 different chipsets for the home and mobile and In-House don’t have to program for and support 2 different chipsets for games
I think you are missing the point. They are already working on a nextgen hardware the idea of a handheld doesn’t necessarily need to be based on the handheld ideas you keep talking about. Apple were not a phone company, but they were able to use their ideas on the video iPod to start a new product (i.e. the iPhone). I’m not looking to Xbox to make a gaming handheld like the rest but hoping more that they make something that is in a way the first of its kind, something that can go beyond gaming and be useful on a daily basis. Also, I think it should be native and in today’s world people are constantly moving and, on the go. In any case I think Xbox understands this well as they are making a play for the younger generation that are most of the time on their phones, PCs or tablets.
I worry about resources and development being split between systems like with the Series X and S. But we will just have to see what the plan is
To me, the next console battle will be even more vital than the Xbox One or PS4 era, and where is for the survival of Xbox in the console hardware industry while I get for game development and publishing, Xbox has no worries
Get the console hardware right above all else 
There is no more console battle. Xbox is now a digital platform not a plastic box, you have now Xbox device labelled Xbox PC. Nextgen they will look different as they will be truly everywhere, and I doubt they’re thinking about the competition. I do understand the resources but that is the point of being greenlit. They should be able to allocate for multiple things which they have. I think breaking into the handheld is very important, they bought ABK mainly on the basis of mobile which is a handheld device. In my opinion they will want to make sure they integrate King in a big way with their platform and the hardware they build. Time will tell but I imagine they’ll be getting back to the handheld soon.
If it’s all about Digital , why did people even want a Native Xbox Handheld ? Just put your games on Switch 2, Steam Deck or the likes of Rog Ally . I would say people want a dedicated Xbox HH for many of the same reasons why Xbox console fans wand a dedicated Xbox console
If the next Xbox console does even worse than Series X/S that’s Xbox out of gaming hardware game IMO.
GET the Console hardware section right and that will pave the way for a great Handheld .
It would be brilliant if the tech was now possible to have a handheld Series S in much the same way we have the PC Engine. GT or SEGAs Nomad .
Because you can control things on your own hardware. Heck if Microsoft was still in the mobile phone business, they wouldn’t be trying so hard to get a store on iPhone and android. Also putting games and a storefront is very different. if Xbox can put a storefront on all these devices, then they wouldn’t need their own hardware other than for security measures to avoid getting burned or backstabbed. However, none of this Hardwares would allow Game Pass or their store. I don’t think the hardware numbers will be based on the performance of series X/S as long as their services like Game Pass and MAU continue to grow. Xbox wants to expand the market and if they can partner with the likes of Samsung, LG and others to build hardware they’ll be good and fine. They’ll just make consoles like surface for those that want it. I also doubt consoles will be big NextGen considering they might actually start at 800 dollars and above. Also, as I have said I’m hoping not necessarily for a dedicated handheld gaming device but more for a social entertainment device that also plays games.
Which is why I said for many of the same reasons why Xbox consoles want Xbox to stay in the consoles business, though for me it’s because they also make the best console hardware and want them to get that side right, and also see tech will then filter down in the Data centre blades for Cloud
I’ve been watching some videos of people using GeForce Now on Steam Deck, and it’s utterly incredible and shows what could be possible for a Cloud Portal style Xbox Handheld using top-class console tech.
I know Xbox isn’t going after the mass market SONY style console sector anymore but you still need to make world class console tech to get your loyal userbase because, while the Series X sales haven’t been what we all hoped there’s still a loyal and active market and those 40 odd million users on the console spend and purchase a lot of content, very much like with the OG Xbox.
Where despite a massive gulf in userbase to the PS2 the OG Xbox had a big ratio of games to hardware sold and 3rd parties were able to make plenty of money off the system.