Xbox is testing a portable device, but it’s still a long way off

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Microsoft

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed that the company is working on a handheld device that has been rumored for some time. However, this is not expected anytime soon.

In Interview with BloombergSpencer said Microsoft has determined that the potential device is currently only in the prototyping stage. Even if the team intended to bring the product to market, it would still take several years.

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“In the long run, I love that we build devices,” Spencer told Bloomberg. “I think our team could do some really innovative work, but we want to be informed based on what we know and what’s happening right now.”

Over the past few years, many handheld consoles and cloud streaming devices have entered the market. Currently, the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck dominate the market, but there are many other competitors, including Logitech G Cloud and Asus ROG Ally. Xbox’s main competitor, PlayStation, also released a handheld device called PlayStation Portal delayed last year that allows gamers to remotely stream games from their PlayStation 5.

Microsoft executives have been teasing the possibility of a handheld device for some time, but Spencer has largely been building expectations himself. He has talked a lot about mobile devices in the past, and in June he talked about it IGN that Xbox wants to expand its hardware options.

“The future of hardware is amazing for us. “I’m incredibly excited about the work the team is doing with different forms of the game and different ways of playing,” he said.

However, a roadmap leaked as part of a recent FTC lawsuit showed Xbox’s plans through 2030, with a dedicated mobile device “out of the scope of the first page.”

Xbox vice president Sarah Bond said in September Bloomberg that it wants to reach players wherever they play. Xbox Game Pass has expanded to multiple platforms, even allowing Amazon Fire TV users to stream Xbox games.

“I want people to think that no matter who you are, you can come to Xbox and find a game,” she said.

Spencer also said in an interview with Bloomberg that the company is interested in more acquisitions to expand into up-to-date markets such as Asia and capitalize on mobile gaming opportunities. Xbox has already started investing in mobile devices, which was financed by the acquisition of Activision Blizzard Candy Crush Saga Creator King.

“We definitely want to have a presence in the market, and when we can find the teams, technology and capabilities that add to what we’re trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, we’ll absolutely have no hesitation,” he said.






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