Discover How Microsoft is Uniting Windows and Xbox for the Ultimate Handheld Gaming Experience!

Microsoft and Asus have unveiled two new handheld devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. These gadgets promise a complete Xbox experience on the go. This move comes as Microsoft aims to compete with platforms like SteamOS, especially since the Steam Deck launched three years ago.

To enhance usability for handheld gamers, Microsoft has revamped its Xbox app and Game Bar. Roanne Sones, a vice president at Xbox, expresses excitement about how this project has energized their development teams. She stated, “This is a device that galvanized our teams and brought everyone together.”

During a recent briefing with The Verge, the company showcased how these devices will offer a full-screen Xbox experience right from the start. Users will boot directly into the Xbox app, which now serves as a launcher for all their PC games, not just Xbox titles.

Jason Beaumont, another Xbox executive, mentioned significant changes in the operating system. For instance, when the Xbox full-screen experience is active, many background processes typically used for productivity are turned off. This means you’ll have more resources available for gaming.

The full-screen mode transforms the familiar Windows interface by removing elements like the desktop wallpaper and taskbar. Players will have fewer notifications to disrupt their gaming experience. “We want to streamline everything,” said Sones.

Brianna Potvin, from the Xbox engineering team, highlighted improvements in the Game Bar, designed specifically for handheld use. Simply pressing the Xbox button on the device displays an interface for managing Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth, and even includes a new Gaming Copilot feature. Users can easily switch between games without hassle.

Another notable enhancement is in memory management. Potvin shared that early tests show a reduction in memory usage, freeing up to 2GB for gaming, which should lead to better performance.

Battery life remains a concern for handheld devices. The new Xbox experience aims to improve power efficiency. When the device is in sleep mode, it reportedly consumes only a third of the power used by the traditional Windows desktop mode.

This revamped Xbox interface will also extend to other Windows devices soon. Sones confirmed that users can expect an aggregate gaming library on Windows 11, making it easier to access games from various storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store.

A unique aspect is that Microsoft is developing a verification program similar to Valve’s for games optimized for handheld devices, enhancing the user experience further.

As for the future, Sones noted that the updated Xbox experience isn’t just limited to new devices. It will eventually roll out to existing ROG Ally devices and others, starting next year. The competition between platforms is heating up, and Microsoft is positioning itself to stay at the forefront of handheld gaming.

For avid gamers, this evolving landscape promises exciting developments in how we play and interact with our favorite titles on handheld devices.

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