DF Weekly: if the Xbox handheld is years away, what’s the point of Venture Kennan?
According to Microsoft’s Phil Spencer, the highly anticipated Xbox handheld is “a few years away” and currently exists only as a prototype. So what could we expect from last week’s update? If it is true, could we see a handheld by the end of this year? Leaks suggest that Microsoft has prepared some kind of OEM device proposal, with Asus set to develop the first ‘Project Kennan’ handheld. In my opinion, expectations for this device should be moderated, and we ought to view it more as another step toward Xbox’s integration with Windows – a significant mission, but one that must be trialed and refined before next-gen hardware is introduced in the coming years.
Looking ahead to the anticipated device in the near future, what could be on our wish list? For me, the query is this: has Microsoft designed its own custom OEM handheld model that brands like Asus, Dell, and Lenovo can license? Or is the connection to Xbox merely a branding effort – a work-in-progress Windows OS variation that emphasizes the Xbox Store, featuring minimal hardware enhancements like an Xbox controller button and other design elements?
The former possibility seems more thrilling: it could outline a baseline design for a handheld that we might expect to adequately support the current console generation. There might even be potential for a custom processor, similar to what Valve uses for the Steam Deck, but hopefully more powerful. As impressive as the Deck is, there are challenges in running the most demanding AAA titles on it – especially if the PC port itself could be of poor quality. Unverified leaks indicating a $500 price point might suggest a lower-end Z2 processor. The Z2 Chip is a good fit here, with hardware equivalents like the Ryzen 7 6800U, which we reviewed two years ago. I would rate this as ‘acceptable’ but would hope for something superior – the current Z1 Extreme in the ROG Ally is a class apart, while I would expect even more from a tailor-made chip.
- 00:00:00 Introduction
- 00:00:38 News 1: Xbox-branded Windows handheld reportedly in development
- 00:19:36 News 2: Death Stranding 2 receives update, new trailer
- 00:30:23 News 3: 9950X3D launches with substantial performance
- 00:46:43 News 4: Elder Scrolls Oblivion remake rumored
- 00:55:51 News 5: AI Aloy prototype appears in leaked images
- 01:09:19 Fan Q1: Have we underestimated PS5 Pro’s ML capabilities?
- 01:19:31 Fan Q2: Is Nvidia betting on significant gaming performance improvement for the 60 series?
- 01:26:47 Fan Q3: Will the PS4 survive indefinitely as a platform?
- 01:31:30 Fan Q4: How can we evaluate generational leaps for PC gaming?
- 01:36:10 Fan Q5: Will the Series X become a sought-after retro console?
- 01:40:55 Fan Q6: Can you create videos showcasing carefully tailored experiences without relying on graphics cards?
- 01:46:56 Fan Q7: Is Nvidia’s focus on proprietary technology helping or harming PC gaming?
More likely though is a standard AMD design with proprietary Xbox enhancements coming from software and design elements alone. And at this point, perhaps more crucial than the physical hardware is ensuring the user experience is solid on PC: Microsoft needs a fully functional interface that’s competitive with SteamOS, one that resolves all the pain points PC users face: games from all storefronts need to be integrated into a smooth interface, while simultaneously placing the Xbox Store front and center. Windows updates and driver upgrades need to be managed for users seamlessly without exiting the current UI. Additionally, some form of substitute for Linux/SteamOS’s Gamescope is necessary for accessing PC-style components through a console-like interface.
This may sound relatively straightforward – and of course, manufacturers such as Asus already have their own solutions – but this task is significantly more complex than it appears. The tremendous success of SteamOS lies in the fact that the front-end does everything that is required, and although the Linux desktop is available, there is absolutely no requirement to utilize it. I’ve reviewed numerous PC handhelds and, in all instances, a USB hub with keyboard and mouse is needed at various stages to configure and maintain the device. Microsoft must also tackle the challenges posed by the fundamental weaknesses of Windows 11 itself: specifically, issues like shader compilation latency, which is considerably worse on lower-powered handhelds compared to more robust desktop PCs.
I’m eager to see what Microsoft develops in a beta or work-in-progress state, given the vast scale of the project ahead – but there are other strategic considerations at play: Lenovo has a SteamOS device that essentially runs Valve’s Linux-based operating system on a standard AMD processor: the Z2 Chip. Without proposing an alternative, Windows cannot compete against the Steam Deck or the variety of SteamOS third-party devices that may enter the market. We’ve yet to go hands-on-