RUMOR: Microsoft developing Zune-Xbox handheld gaming device

Could Microsoft be working on the final stages of a handheld gaming device? Team Xbox now seems pretty convinced after a year full of rumors and speculation.

In an economy that is affecting almost everyone, especially major companies, handheld devices such as Nintendo's DS and Apple's iPhone seem to be doing pretty well for themselves within the gaming market. Rumor has it that Microsoft is working to throw their own handheld device into the ring, a device that will feature Live Anywhere and is intended to be a mix of the Xbox 360 and the Zune phone.

RUMOR: Microsoft developing Zune-Xbox handheld gaming device

T3.com's vision of the potential Xbox-Zune handheld device from Microsoft. Apparently it won't have phone capabilities, but if it did, then you could really get the red "ring" of death. Heh...Heh... (sigh).

However, as Team Xbox reports, the device codenamed xYz, will not have phone capabilities, but will offer gaming, media playback and Internet connectivity with a plethora of options from Live Anywhere.

While this is indeed still just speculation, with the DS and DSi sales topping over 1.04 million last April, it doesn't seem inconceivable that Microsoft would be mighty interested in entering the handheld market. If fact, it'd be pretty silly if they didn't. But, then again, Sony's PSP has been suffering in the days of late, so perhaps Microsoft is wise to hold off until the market is just right for whatever product they may or may not be working on.

Check out the original article here at Team Xbox.

THE VERDICT by Sean Mirkovich Sean Mirkovich's Avatar I think it's a smart idea for Microsoft to invest in a handheld device. I feel it would probably be a pretty big hit within the market, but if the rumors are true and the device doesn't have phone capabilities, they may have missed an opportunity to really hit a home run. While Apple's iPhone is a sweet device, Apple isn't exactly a gamer-friendly company. Could you imagine if a major gaming company like Microsoft released a phone that could play games like GTA IV? Then you could really hang up on Roman when he calls you for the forty-millionth time to go bowling. That'd be sweet.

Comments [50]

post a comment

NoWay11

i think this would be awesome and i have been waiting for awhile. i havent bought a psp or DS because i like microsoft

Donny007

The system looks totally cool, but should include a built in cover to protect the screen.

Toneman

If they release a Halo game for it at launch, they will sell billions!!!

JPThunder01

Wow, sounds just like the PSP for the most part.. it didn't work for Sony and it's not gonna work for MS if that's the route they wanna take. The key is offering up an experience you can't get on a console. The DS does this with the dual screen interface and touch screen capability. The PSP doesn't really have anything that sets it apart other than the fact that it's a handheld.

Toneman

That thing can't possibly be as powerful as the 360 (and run games like GTA IV)... the 360 can barely run without overheating, imagine how hot this thing would get! I would burn a hole right through your pocket! Don't mean to sound like a fanboy, I'm just being realistic. Could it possibly stream the game playing on your 360 at home? kinda like that other streaming console? Maybe?

Crunch40

Sounds good, it be a good idea if planed right (like, making a Halo release title)

nester_cl

.....it´s true....you can´t have an xbox 360 in such a small device.....hell, Microsoft hasn´t even made a " xbox 360 slim " yet, so this is impossible.

...now....if they describe it like an xbox with hormones...that´s more credible, since the PSP is now 5 years old and it´s graphics are not on par with a PS2.

cockrezerected

even tho i havent used my psp/ dsi at all. im sure i wont use this one... BUT, i would still buy it... 8).... IF it has good games.. portable gears of war FTW!!!!

The12P

Microsoft handheld + Halo = Win. I too have wanted a Microsoft handheld but I think this is the wrong time to launch such a thing. Theres so many other good games coming out this year for the 360 that they should wait until 2010 to announce and launch this.

Post a Comment