I come to you today with new news on the portable plans of Xbox. Previously, I pointed out that Microsoft was working on A native laptop next to an Xbox Series X successor, planned to launch around 2027. It now seems that Microsoft’s priorities have moved somewhat.
UPDATE: Previously, this article noted “Pembrooke” as a code name for the pocket computer, but we have received clarifications according to which this code name could be incorrect, listen to an update on this part. The rest of the report remains unchanged.
Microsoft always wants to build your own Xbox pocket computer in the future, but Microsoft has decided to prioritize its teams to improve Window 11 game performances, especially for devices like the ASUS “Project Kennan” partner apparatus. It is possible that the existential threat of Steamos, who on paper offers better game performance than Windows 11 himselfinformed these decisions. Our sources have indicated to us that Microsoft is still investing deeply in the development of its own Xbox game pocket technology in the future, but it has been announced internally today that priorities move more deeply towards OEM laptops in the interval.
Kennan project is the code name of the partner of Microsoft Xbox Handheld with Asus. We understand that Kennan is targeting a launch for later this year. The material side is essentially finished, but there is a significant effort between the Xbox and Windows teams to improve the experience on the software side. Devices like the Asus Rog Ally And Lenovo Legion will already work on ordinary Windows 11, and Xbox layers and applications have improved, but there are still a lot of improvements to make.
It was always a little clear if Microsoft’s pocket computer was designed to be a Windows 11 native PC game laptop, or more of a native Xbox console style experience. But we potentially have the answer now.
It seems that it is indeed supposed to be a device that could perform complete Xbox games, but Microsoft has decided to prioritize its teams on the partner opportunity around devices like Kennan – at least for the moment. I was told that Microsoft has always had great ambitions and invests massively to deliver a native Xbox pocket computer, but the change is to prioritize and allocate resources at the moment. There was no layoffs or something like that following this restart.
Microsoft is also working on new generation Xbox Cloud systems, which are now testing at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond. The new Cloud platform should bring its latency closer to parity with NVIDIA GeForce Now the service, which is undoubtedly the leader of performance at the moment (and always integrates Microsoft Xbox / PC playing pass). Nvidia GeForce has just launched a native application for the Steam bridge In addition, presenting another competitor to Microsoft’s cloud game strategy. Microsoft previously worked on a nicknamed mini-consultant Hobartwhich was also canceled.
Laptops are the future – Microsoft is investing in ensuring that it will not be allowed
Microsoft potentially has a little time against him here, with Steam and the Steam bridge The platform was already spreading on Windows 11 PC pocket computers. You can now install steamos on the Legion Go And Asus Rog AllyAnd initial tests reveal a huge battery life and performance improvements, at the cost of access to certain services (such as PC Game Pass) and certain launchers and functionality.
For players who prefer steam, Steamos is increasingly presents an existential threat to the domination of Windows Games. Microsoft seems to have recognized here that he cannot completely rest on his laurels here.
Microsoft has an upcoming Xbox showcase on June 8, 2025Where he will reveal the most recent and the best games of his vast content portfolio. No one can criticize Microsoft on its release of game content at the moment, with Xbox game pass Being absolutely on fire, at the top of dozens of studios producing high quality content. But, the material future remains a little more troubled – the potential is enormous, however. Microsoft’s hardware teams through Xbox and Surface are the best, but Microsoft Corporate could have different ideas on how to develop your game brand.
Hopefully these priority changes will make improvements that PC players are looking for, and finally, will lead to a more optimized platform for things like Xbox Play anywhere,, Xbox Cloud Gamingand the Multi-modality that Microsoft clearly believes that the future of the game. But can they do it fairly quickly before the PS6, Nintendo switch 2, and Steamos take all the spotlights? Time will tell us.