Microsoft Pauses First-Party Xbox Handheld Project to Focus on Enhancing Windows 11 Portability

Alright, so here’s the scoop. Microsoft’s been playing around with the idea of their own handheld gaming gizmo, right? But now, it looks like they’re hitting pause on that whole thing. Why? Apparently, they’re more into making sure Windows 11 plays nice with handhelds, especially since Asus is coming out with their own nifty gadget called ‘Kennan’. Windows Central spilled the beans on that.

Now, if you’re scratching your head about why Microsoft cares so much about these devices playing games smoothly, especially with Windows, it might be because people are really digging SteamOS with Windows 11 on handhelds. We checked out the Lenovo Legion Go S not too long ago. This thing lets you use both SteamOS and Windows 11, which sounds cool. But, the downside? No Game Pass on SteamOS. Yeah, a bummer for some. But the performance is killer for those who roll with it.

Oh, right, back to the Xbox handheld saga—Microsoft was tinkering with their own thing, and also with Asus on this ‘Kennan’ project. Buzz has it that ‘Kennan’ might hit the shelves later this year. Windows Central mentioned that the hardware’s pretty much ready to go.

And speaking of first-party stuff, Microsoft’s own handheld was supposed to be more of a mini Xbox, running full Xbox games. Only now it’s kinda stuck in limbo. Sad trombone, I know.

Windows 11’s been the go-to for a lot of these gaming devices, but everything’s been shaken up since SteamOS arrived. So, devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo’s thingy let you have both operating systems, which is kinda like having your cake and eating it too. SteamOS rocks performance-wise, while Windows 11 brings you into Microsoft’s world.

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