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It hasnt happened yet, but if rumors are to be believed, Microsoft may be finally working on an Xbox-branded gaming handheld. In a lot of ways, portable PCs represent a perfect evolution to the companys consoles. But with Microsoft arriving late to the party, there are a few things this device needs to get right. Between Microsofts 20-plus year history making consoles and the Surface divisions expertise in engineering laptops and other mobile devices, youd think creating a portable PC with a built-in screen and attached controllers would be as easy as sticking an AFK opponent with a nade in Halo. And after the Steam Deck built a fort on Valves top sellers list since its release in 2022, theres an obvious financial incentive for Microsoft as well. Hell, weve even heard about how much Xbox CEO Phil Spencer likes traveling with his Legion Go, so its not like this is a foreign concept to the folks in Redmond. Regardless, aside from the Xbox-branded gaming laptop that well probably never get (MSFT please?), a handheld console makes so much sense. The Nintendo Switch has already proven that theres a massive appetite for a device you can easily connect to a TV but still take on the go. But more importantly, Spencer has been out there for years saying I dont want my teams focus on console sales. The primary outcome of all the work that we do is how many players we see, and how often they play. That is what drives Xbox. And right now, theres no better way for the company to grow its user base than by making its first handheld console. Not only could a portable Xbox play games locally, it could also stream titles from the cloud (via Game Pass Ultimate), serve as another home for social features like the friends list, activity feed and so much more. According to Windows Centrals Jez Corden, the device codenamed Project Kennan will feature a design similar to existing handhelds like the ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go (though it probably wont have detachable controllers). While it appears Microsoft wont be making the device itself, the company is said to be tapping ASUS (or possibly another OEM) to build it instead, which makes a lot of sense given the latters experience with the Ally and Ally X. From there, Microsoft is expected to add some Xbox-y twists like support for the Xbox Game Bar, Play Anywhere functionality and of course Game Pass Ultimate. Unfortunately, there isnt concrete pricing or a specific release date, but its possible that this device could come out before the end of the year for between $499 and $599. But again, those numbers are mostly speculation, and theres not much info regarding its screen size, processor or any other special features it might have. But lets be real, the specs for this rumored portable Xbox arent all that important. Right now, there are a seemingly endless number of handhelds available from companies like ASUS, Lenovo, MSI, Ayaneo and GPD, with even more on the way. So if Microsoft comes out yet with another option that doesnt address the flaws of current devices, it wont make that big of an impact. Thats because, for my money, the Steam Deck still feels like the best portable gaming machine on the market. Sam Rutherford for Engadget While the Decks performance is often eclipsed by its Windows-based rivals, Valves machine offers a more polished and intuitive experience, thanks in large part to its purpose-built OS. When I use it, I dont have to deal with annoying notifications or pop-ups that force me to awkwardly switch between various control schemes just to get into a game. On the Deck, I never have to use desktop apps (unless I want to), as Steams Big Picture mode (unlike Windows) was designed around a simple UI that can be navigated using joysticks instead of a mouse. The most important thing Microsoft can do for its upcoming handheld is to remove or sidestep the clunkiness you run into on practically every Windows-based device. This is something the company has tried to do before via improvements to the Windows Game Bar and may revisit again with its rumored Project Bayside, which could provide a standardized framework that would allow for a more streamlined UI. But what does this actually look like in the real world? When its all said and done, Microsofts goal should be to make it so that gamers can boot up the system, log in and install or launch a title without ever needing to move their hands away from the joysticks and face buttons. That means no shifting your fingers to tap a prompt on its touchscreen or needing to pull up a virtual keyboard/touchpad. And no add-on apps like ASUS Armoury Crate or Lenovos Legion Space, eithe. Those are simply Band-Aids that cover up the core issue of Windows 11 not being properly optimized for portable gaming PCs. If the company can do that, everything else will fall into place. Only then does it need to worry about specs and features. That said, I would like to see a portable Xbox include an OLED display with support for variable refresh rates that go up to either 120Hz or 144Hz. A microSD card slot is also a must, as it has become a standard component across gaming handhelds (especially as the size of AAA games continues to balloon). Id also like to see Hall Effect sensors powering its joysticks (and triggers) for increased responsiveness and durability. A dock for connecting it to a TV or monitor would be a nice accessory too. And while its not an absolute necessity, I think some sort of built-in touchpad (or two, like on the Steam Deck), would go a long way toward making traditional mouse-and-keyboard games much more enjoyable on a handheld device. Honestly, the case for an Xbox handheld seems so obvious its kind of surprising Microsoft didnt announce one years ago. Granted, its possible that the company has been waiting for the next version of its OS (i.e. Windows 12) to make a major concerted push on both traditional PCs and handhelds. But every month that goes by without a true first-party streamlined portable Xbox gaming machine feels like a wasted opportunity.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/its-about-damn-time-microsoft-made-an-xbox-gaming-handheld-130046591.html?src=rss
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The iPhone 17 Air (even the name is a rumor) is reportedly arriving this fall. As that Air suffix suggests, it could be Apples thinnest iPhone ever. However, while thin is all good, an arguably more intriguing change didnt quite make it through the design process. In the latest Power On newsletter (we love a newsletter), Bloombergs Mark Gurman said Apple had planned to ditch the USB-C port, making Apples first completely port-free iPhone. The notion was ditched in the face of more EU regulator issues, but it could appear in subsequent iPhones. Dont worry, though, Apple has plenty of incoming phones to distract you. Were expecting Apple to release another four iPhones this year, with the one currently nicknamed the iPhone 17 Air roughly 2 millimeters thinner than the rest. It could replace the Plus iPhone, with the family running from an entry-level iPhone 17 through to two higher-end Pro models. The new iPhone Air would nestle somewhere in the middle, for around $900. Rumors about the iPhone Airs specs are still coalescing and shifting, but many reports suggest a single-camera system, the Dynamic Island and the Camera Control button. Alas, no iPhone mini. Thinner, not smaller. Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Bumble adds ID verification and other safety features Microsofts latest Windows update accidentally uninstalled Copilot The best kitchen gadgets The best mesh Wi-Fi systems Get this delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! What to expect at NVIDIAs annual GTC conference with CEO Jensen Huang Quantum computing, AI, AI and AI. NVIDIAs GPU Technology Conference has kicked off, with CEO Jensen Huangs keynote due in a few hours, at 1PM ET. Last year, NVIDIA used the event to unveil its Blackwell line of GPUs for faster and less demanding computations. Were guessing Huang will introduce another iteration of Blackwell GPUs with even better specs. Many observers are looking for a strong showing, following the emergence of DeepSeeks cheaper, lighter AI models, which shook up NVIDIAs share price. Meanwhile, there have been many issues related to its latest RTX product launches so will the company have a solution? Continue reading. The Pixel 9a has leaked so hard that YouTubers are reviewing it We dont have our own review models yet. The Mobile Central At least two YouTubers have reviewed Googles next entry-level Pixel phone. Both The Mobile Central and Sahil Karoul have Googles new phone, confirming a lot of the stuff we knew about the Pixel 9a already. Seriously, there are few surprises and at this point, it looks like leaking everything to do with its phones is part of Googles PR strategy. Prove me wrong! After all that thin iPhone chat, the Pixel 9a doesnt have Googles trademark camera bump. Instead, the cameras are almost flush with the plastic back of the phone. The Pixel 9a also has a Google-made Tensor G4 chip, with a 48-megapixel wide and 13-megapixel ultrawide for photos and video. Continue reading. Boeing Starliner astronauts finally head home, nine months later The President and Elon Musk turned a routine mission into a political circus. Boeing Starliners mission its first flight test with crew aboard was supposed to take only eight days. However, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have, instead, spent the past nine and a half months aboard the International Space Station. Finally, theyre heading home, later today, according to NASA. We unravel why it took this long and what went wrong. Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-112230540.html?src=rss
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Samsung device owners will start getting notifications to install One UI 7 on April 7. The company will roll out its new interface gradually, starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 devices before making it available on its other smartphones and tablets. Samsung says the new interface was built specifically for AI and will help users interact with their devices more naturally. The new Now Bar will provide users with real-time updates on the lock screen, such as what song is playing on their earbuds, without having to unlock their phones or tablets. One UI 7 comes with a number of Galaxy AI features, including AI Select that lets users interact with parts of their screen. It will allow them to copy text by drawing a circle on an element on the screen or to easily create a GIF of a video they're watching. There's Writing Assist that can automatically summarize or format text the user highlights and Drawing Assist the creates illustrations based on text prompts, rough sketches or images. Audio Eraser will make it easier to isolate sounds and remove unwanted noise from videos. In addition to AI features, the One UI 7 comes with a bunch of security features, including a theft protection tool called Identity Check. It will force the user to prove their identity if their PIN gets compromised. In settings, users will also be able to block USB connections to prevent access through the USB port while the device is locked, except for battery charging. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-one-ui-7-is-arriving-on-april-7-123004993.html?src=rss
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