Xbox Allegedly Working On A Portable Console

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Avinash Jaisrani

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Xbox has been well known for their home consoles over the last few years. The brand has built its reputation as Sony’s main rival in the console competition. While Xbox has been able to achieve a lot over the last two generations, the brand has never tried its luck with a portable console.

With the continued success of the Nintendo Switch, many have wondered why Sony and Microsoft haven’t tried their hand at a portable console recently. The Steam Deck was also released recently and has quickly become Valve’s best product.

It seems like Microsoft may have caught on and a portable console from the gaming giant could be in the works. 

A recent tweet from @TomWarren mentioned the Steam Deck. Tom stated that the Steam Deck has led to him wanting a portable console from Xbox.

got Xbox Cloud Gaming up and running on the Steam Deck, and I’m now convinced more than ever that Microsoft should do an Xbox portable pic.twitter.com/LGacHvrPUM

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) May 23, 2022

Gaming Journalist and leaker Jez Corden then replied to this tweet saying,

“maybe you’ll get your wish”

While this does not imply much on its own, Tom’s reply to Jez is where things get interesting. Tom replied with the following tweet.

I’m not gonna Count on it, but if it happens then I’ll meet you in Edinburgh for a beer

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) May 24, 2022

As the tweet shows, Tom mentioned the words Count and Edinburgh in his reply. Both of those words are references to Codenames that were discovered in the Xbox One OS two years ago.

The tweets seem to imply that Xbox is currently working on some kind of portable console. Furthermore, Edinburgh and Count have been known for two years, implying that the supposed handheld has been in development for a while. In the past, this image revealed codenames for the Xbox Series S and X consoles prior to their launch, adding further credibility to the speculation. 

Microsoft has likely noticed the success of the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck. Therefore, it would make sense for the gaming giant to experiment with a portable console at some point. With Game Pass at its center, a portable console from Xbox could rival Nintendo and Valve’s offerings. 

However, the codenames could also be a reference to Microsoft’s upcoming streaming stick. The streaming device will let players stream Xbox games without additional hardware. 

While a portable console from Xbox sounds exciting, it would be wise to take this information with a grain of salt. 

Over the last few years, Microsoft has shifted Xbox from a home console to a brand. The company has tried to focus on the platform and its services across various products. The readily available Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming are an essential part of this push from the company. A handheld console would certainly be in line with Microsoft’s current goals and it would allow them to capture further share from the gaming market. 

With Microsoft’s experience on both hardware and software, a portable console could end up being something truly special. A handheld could lead to endless possibilities, and it would be an easy win for Xbox, going by the success of recent handhelds from Valve and Nintendo.

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Avinash Jaisrani

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com