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Xbox Handheld

We need a Snapdragon X-powered gaming handheld sooner rather than later — How Qualcomm can challenge the Steam Deck
Winsage
February 14, 2025

We need a Snapdragon X-powered gaming handheld sooner rather than later — How Qualcomm can challenge the Steam Deck

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips show potential for handheld gaming devices due to their impressive performance and battery efficiency. Testing of the Snapdragon X Plus on games like 7 Days To Die, Kingdom Come Deliverance, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider revealed comparable performance to the Steam Deck, especially when using Auto SR, an AI-driven upscaling solution. However, Auto SR currently supports only 14 games and is limited to DX11 or DX12 titles. The installation of games from Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft Store on Snapdragon devices is restricted, with the Xbox app lacking a Game Pass section. There is a significant opportunity for a Snapdragon-powered handheld device, similar to the impact of the Steam Deck, but the current market lacks urgency for such a product.
Windows Central Game Awards 2024 — Showcasing the best Xbox and PC games of the year
AppWizard
December 20, 2024

Windows Central Game Awards 2024 — Showcasing the best Xbox and PC games of the year

In 2024, the gaming landscape has seen significant developments, including impressive game releases on Xbox and PC despite industry layoffs. Indie games have gained popularity for their innovative concepts, while established franchises have reinvented themselves. Xbox Game Pass subscriptions have increased, indicating a growing interest in PC and cloud gaming. Speculation about new hardware from Microsoft, including a potential Xbox handheld device, has generated excitement for the future. The contributions of various professionals in game development have been recognized as vital to the industry's progress.
Xbox Insiders can now stream owned games to their consoles
BetaBeacon
December 12, 2024

Xbox Insiders can now stream owned games to their consoles

Cloud gaming on Xbox consoles with purchased games is only available for some Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip Ahead and Alpha rings of the Insider program who are subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. There are 50 select games that can be streamed, with more games expected to be added over time.
Xbox app adds quickbar for convenient game launches on Windows handheld PCs
Winsage
December 11, 2024

Xbox app adds quickbar for convenient game launches on Windows handheld PCs

The Xbox app has introduced a "jump back in" feature that allows players to quickly access their recently played games on Windows handheld PCs. This feature is designed for devices like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally, enhancing convenience for on-the-go gaming. It provides a quick launch carousel for the last nine games played, reducing navigation through menus. Players can click on any game card to return to gameplay from the game's hub, and controller users can access gameplay directly through a right-click or menu button.
"We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players": Microsoft delays new Xbox Android app features on Google Play due to court order
AppWizard
November 27, 2024

“We are eager to launch and give more choice and flexibility to players”: Microsoft delays new Xbox Android app features on Google Play due to court order

Microsoft's Xbox app on Android will delay the introduction of new features initially planned for late 2024 due to a temporary administrative stay granted by U.S. courts. Sarah Bond, president of Xbox, indicated that users will have to wait longer to purchase and play games directly through the app. The features were expected to launch in November following a court order requiring Google to open its app store to third-party competitors. Despite the setback, Bond stated that the functionality is ready and awaiting the court's final decision. Xbox Cloud Gaming has introduced a "Stream Your Own Game" option, allowing users to stream 50 titles they own. Microsoft is also delaying the launch of its mobile gaming store for further market research and faces challenges with Xbox Cloud Gaming's reliability and the spread of the Xbox Play Anywhere feature. Upcoming titles for 2025 include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and STALKER 2, with a steady influx of third-party games.
Sony is developing a handheld that plays PS5 games natively
BetaBeacon
November 26, 2024

Sony is developing a handheld that plays PS5 games natively

Sony is rumored to be working on a handheld device that would allow users to play games directly on the device without relying on cloud streaming. The release of the Sony PS5 handheld is still years away and there is uncertainty if the project will be scrapped. Sony sees the handheld market as an opportunity to compete with Nintendo and Microsoft in bringing its popular PS5 games to a new audience.
Xbox chief calls recent PC exclusives an "anomaly," reaffirms Xbox ecosystem goals
AppWizard
November 17, 2024

Xbox chief calls recent PC exclusives an “anomaly,” reaffirms Xbox ecosystem goals

Microsoft's upcoming game releases for fall include several major titles debuting as PC exclusives, such as World of Warcraft: The War Within expansion, Ara: History Untold, and Towerborne, which will not be available on Xbox consoles initially. Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, described this PC-centric approach as a temporary "anomaly" and emphasized the company's goal of making games accessible across various platforms within the Xbox ecosystem. He stated the intention for ownership across cloud, PC, and console platforms. Spencer expressed optimism about potential cross-platform play with Sony's PlayStation and clarified that the PC exclusives are tied to specific reasons, such as the World of Warcraft expansion's PC roots and Towerborne's early access launch. He reassured fans that this is not the new standard and highlighted the upcoming Diablo 4 DLC as an example of cross-ecosystem availability. Spencer also confirmed that a long-rumored Xbox handheld device is in development and that the Xbox team is exploring a Microsoft mobile game store, which has been delayed for further market research.
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