The primary Xbox handheld was simply formally teased

Asus has teased what may very well be an Xbox-branded ROG Ally handheld in a mysterious post on X.

The quick clip (which you’ll be able to try under), options the corporate’s “little robotic pal” leaping right into a machine with each an ROG Ally X and an ROG Asus Raikiri gamepad to create… properly, one thing. That stated, many individuals (together with me) assume this shrouded handheld is probably going an ROG Ally X with Xbox-branding (unfortuantely, these aren’t Xbox video games on the shelf — all of them have ROG-branding).

By now, you would possibly assume this can be a little bit of a attain and, usually, I would agree with you — hear me out, although.

Fortunately, there’s extra to the story. Below the clip is a reply from the official Xbox X account that provides the submit a little bit of side-eye with the assistance of a really acquainted meme. There are additionally a number of current leaks hinting at what Asus and Microsoft are possible engaged on.

Is that this the Xbox handheld Microsoft has reportedly been engaged on for years?

It may very well be, and we possible will not want to attend lengthy to know for positive

Rumors a few devoted Xbox handheld have been swirling for years, however they kicked into overdrive the previous few days. Final week, Windows Central’s Jez Corden outlined Microsoft’s rumored handheld plans, stating that an Xbox handheld will launch later this 12 months, with next-gen consoles arriving in 2027.

Then The Verge’s Tom Warren backed up this report a couple of days later with extra particular info concerning Challenge Kennan, a handheld being labored on by Xbox and Asus. Warren says that whereas the rumored system shall be Home windows 11-powered, it is going to function an interface just like what you’d discover on the Xbox Sequence X/S as a part of an effort to higher unify Xbox and Home windows.

With all of this in thoughts, Asus’ current X tease is probably going Challenge Kennan. It stays unclear if Microsoft’s future handheld efforts may even embody its personal devoted handheld, or if the corporate’s technique is to forge partnerships with leaders within the house like Asus. It is unclear when Asus and Microsoft will reveal this venture, but when it is being teased on X, a reveal possible is not that far off.

As an enormous fan of the ROG Ally X that appreciates the flexibility Home windows 11 gives, however that is additionally typically pissed off by how difficult this makes the system, the prospect of an Xbox overlay that replaces Asus’ Armory Crate SE software program is interesting. If Asus can pull off a Steam Deck-like SteamOS working system that mixes open nature of Home windows with the simplicity of the Swap, I am undoubtedly into the idea. The timing of this reveal is fascinating, too, with the Nintendo’s Switch 2’s full reveal looming on the horizon in a couple of weeks.

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