Asus Manufacturing Xbox-Branded Handheld That Combines Windows and Xbox Experiences: Report

Microsoft is claimed to be engaged on an Xbox-branded gaming handheld in collaboration with an OEM accomplice. A report earlier this week stated that an Xbox handheld, codenamed “Project Keenan”, would launch later in 2025. A brand new report, nonetheless, says that handheld just isn’t Xbox {hardware} and can be a accomplice machine manufactured by Asus. It’s additionally reportedly known as “Project Kennan” — not “Keenan”. The new machine reportedly represents Microsoft’s push to mix Windows and Xbox experiences for gaming and will possible characteristic a revamped Windows consumer interface nearer to the one current on Xbox consoles.

Asus Making Xbox-Branded Handheld

The data comes from The Verge’s Tom Warren, who stated in a brand new report revealed Wednesday that Microsoft’s plans for its gaming division for 2025 and past have been focussed on combining Windows and Xbox experiences. Citing sources accustomed to the matter, the report claimed that the hand held machine deliberate for later this 12 months could be a part of the corporate’s bigger push to deliver collectively Windows and Xbox for a unversal library of PC and console video games.

The handheld is reportedly being manufactured by Asus, the Taiwanese PC maker that has its personal line of Windows-based gaming handhelds, the Asus ROG Ally. The machine is internally referred to as “Project Kennan” and not “Project Keenan” because the Windows Central report had claimed earlier this week.

The Xbox-branded Asus handheld will possible launch later this 12 months, the report stated. It will run on Windows however will include a modified interface that appears rather a lot like what yow will discover on an Xbox console. The platform to unify Xbox and Windows experiences is reportedly codenamed Project Bayside, which can primarily deliver Xbox interface to Windows-based units.

The thought, based on the report, is to get Xbox video games engaged on different units and providing a single PC and Xbox video games storefront and library that may work for number of units — Xbox consoles, Windows PC and handhelds.

The Asus ROG Ally X seen at Computex 2024

Project Kennan Details

Windows Central corroborated The Verge’s new report, claiming that the accomplice handheld was certainly being manufactured by Asus and was codenamed “Project Kennan”. According to the publication, the machine will really feel rather a lot just like the ROG Ally however with design conventions of an Xbox machine, with “more prominent grips and a dedicated Xbox guide-style button”.

As the machine can be Windows-based, gamers will be capable of run different recreation strorefronts and launchers like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, the EA app, Ubisoft Plus and others, the report stated. Additionally, the bottom mannequin Xbox-branded Asus handheld could possibly be priced between $499 and $599 (roughly between Rs. 43,400 and Rs. 52,000) and may are available in two completely different SKUs. Finally, the machine could possibly be revealed this summer time earlier than it is launched later this 12 months, the report stated.

Neither Microsoft nor Asus have introduced their plans for an Xbox-branded gaming handheld but. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, nonetheless, has expressed curiosity in an Xbox handheld and has stated the expectation was for the corporate to deliver its personal handheld machine to market.

In an interview with Bloomberg in November 2024, the Xbox chief had stated the corporate was engaged on prototypes for a tool in that type issue. Spencer stated he had requested his group to develop its imaginative and prescient for the machine primarily based on its learnings from the market. However, he believed an Xbox handheld was a “few years out”.