All articles tagged with #gaming devices
The gaming handheld market is experiencing a resurgence with new, powerful, and expensive devices from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, including the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Xbox ROG Ally, and PlayStation Portal, catering to different gaming preferences and budgets, while retro handhelds appeal to nostalgia enthusiasts.
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, a powerful handheld gaming PC priced at $999, has sold out despite mixed reviews and Microsoft's unpopular shift in gaming strategy, including increased Game Pass prices. While it offers strong performance for demanding games, its bulky design and reliance on streaming from Xbox Series S limit its appeal as a standalone device, making it more of a niche gadget for tech enthusiasts than a mainstream gaming breakthrough.
The article discusses the recent opening of pre-orders for Microsoft's ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming devices, highlighting the high demand, limited stock, especially for the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X, and concerns over the high price point of nearly $1000, which has sparked debate among enthusiasts about affordability and market impact.
Microsoft has expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming to include lower-tier Game Pass subscriptions (Core and Standard), making it more accessible across a variety of devices and supporting a broader device-agnostic gaming strategy, with ongoing developments like new handheld consoles.
The article provides an early impression of the ROG Xbox Ally X, a handheld gaming device that emulates Xbox controller design and interface, with promising features like integrated third-party libraries and a familiar UI, though its final price and performance details remain uncertain. The reviewer is impressed by its ergonomics, performance in a demo of Gears of War: Reloaded, and its potential to rival other handhelds like the Steam Deck, despite being a work in progress.
Leaked European prices suggest the ROG Xbox Ally may cost €599 and the ROG Xbox Ally X €899, with U.S. prices possibly around $499 and $799, launching in October with pre-orders starting in August. The devices feature upgraded hardware and software, but their success may depend on pricing and market competition.
The article discusses the future of gaming devices, highlighting the success of the Switch 2, Microsoft's plans for Xbox, and the potential evolution towards more modular, portable, and versatile gaming hardware, along with updates on AI developments and other tech industry news.
Microsoft, in collaboration with ASUS' ROG division, is releasing two gaming handheld devices, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, during the 2025 holiday season. These devices will run Windows 11, support multiple game storefronts including Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and others, and feature high-end specs like AMD Ryzen processors, up to 24GB RAM, and 1TB storage. They will be available in numerous countries and include features like a dedicated Xbox button, customizable controls, and the ability to connect to TVs or monitors. The devices aim to expand Xbox's ecosystem beyond consoles and PC.
Microsoft has announced the ROG Xbox Ally, a new handheld gaming console developed in partnership with Asus, set to release at the end of 2025, offering native Windows support and access to Game Pass, with two versions and a focus on versatility for on-the-go gaming, despite being late to the market compared to rivals like Switch 2 and Steam Deck.
Microsoft, in collaboration with ASUS' ROG division, is launching two gaming handheld devices, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, this holiday season, supporting a wide range of games from Xbox, PC storefronts, and more, with features like Game Pass integration, a custom Windows 11 OS, and high-end hardware specifications.
Microsoft has shifted its focus away from developing its own first-party handheld gaming device, instead prioritizing third-party devices like ASUS' Project Kennan and improving Windows 11 gaming performance, while still maintaining ambitions for a native Xbox handheld in the future.
Sony has announced a new cloud streaming beta for the PlayStation Portal, allowing PS Plus Premium subscribers to stream over 120 games from the PS Plus catalog without needing a PS5. This update effectively transforms the Portal into a budget-friendly PS5, enabling gameplay at up to 1080p and 60fps. While the feature is currently limited to certain countries and lacks some functionalities like party voice chat, it marks a significant step towards enhancing PlayStation's cloud gaming capabilities, similar to Xbox Game Pass. The service is available to PS Plus Premium members, costing $159.99 annually.
Phil Spencer, head of gaming at Microsoft, discussed potential improvements for playing Xbox games on handheld devices, expressing interest in new hardware form factors and a desire for handheld systems to feel like an Xbox. He praised the innovation of existing handheld gaming devices and hinted at Xbox's own potential entry into the handheld market. Xbox has teased plans to reveal new hardware later this year, with a focus on delivering a significant technical leap in the next generation roadmap.
AMD's Chief Technology Officer hinted at the deployment of AI upscaling in the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro and PlayStation 6, with 2024 being a significant year for the company's AI enabling across their entire portfolio. While the PlayStation 5 Pro is expected to support AI upscaling, it will run on the GPU as the Viola APU powering the system lacks NPUs, according to a known AMD leaker. The console is rumored to release later this year, and further updates are anticipated as more information becomes available.
An analyst rumor suggests that Nintendo's rumored 'Switch 2' will feature an 8-inch LCD screen and is expected to launch in 2024, potentially doubling shipments of amusement displays. This follows previous rumors of a 2022 release and a $400 price tag for the new model, but there has been no official confirmation from Nintendo.