Microsoft establishes a long-term silicon collaboration with AMD, yet fails to disclose details about a possible Xbox handheld or upcoming next-generation console.
Dive into Microsoft's new Xbox strategy with AMD
Microsoft's collaboration with AMD has taken a fresh turn as they team up to create some thrilling hardware innovations for the upcoming generation of Xbox consoles. But, what does this mean for traditional Xbox consoles and the new stream of handheld devices?
In a captivating YouTube video announcement, Xbox President Sarah Bond announced, "We've established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands."
While it's tempting to overanalyze such declarations, this purposeful production suggests we should take Bond's words to heart.
This statement hints at two distinct categories of Xbox devices. There's the broader "portfolio of devices," and then there's the subcategory "included" in that, which refers specifically to "our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands."
In simple terms, prepare for a variety of Xbox devices in your future, but not all of them will be solely manufactured by Microsoft. This alliance is already in motion with the announcement of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds, which are Xbox devices and aren't manufactured by Microsoft.
Bond's statement seems to suggest that, while Microsoft is planning for both next-gen consoles and handhelds, there will also be other Xbox devices, just like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds, that aren't produced by Microsoft.
This seems to be the plan, but it's a little surprising and slightly complicated. Earlier today, rumors circulated that Microsoft itself would phase out producing Xbox hardware and instead focus on partnering with third parties on devices, like the new Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds.
If this narrative is accurate, Xbox consoles would resemble PCs in terms of hardware, making it more feasible for third-party companies to produce them. However, this announcement suggests Microsoft still intends to engineer and market its own Xbox hardware as well. It's not entirely clear why Microsoft would invest in an Xbox handheld and compete with possibly superior third-party alternatives.
Similarly, why would Microsoft invest in a living room console if it also wants to streamline Xbox console manufacturing for third-party companies based on generic PC hardware? It's hard to imagine a scenario where Microsoft would create a console that would face competition from its own partners.
One theory is that "our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands" might refer to the third-party devices, not consoles and handhelds produced by Microsoft. However, it's difficult to envision a "portfolio" of devices consisting of only a living room console and a handheld, particularly with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds signaling a broader ecosystem of Xbox consoles.
Ultimately, we'll need to wait and see what Microsoft reveals in the future. This announcement raises more questions than it answers, and it's an exciting time to be a part of the Xbox community as we witness the future of gaming unfold.
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Jeremy LairdWith a passion for technology and PCs since the 90nm Netburst era, Jeremy immerses himself in thorough discussions about monitor input lag, overshoot, and advanced lithography. He enjoys a good game of tennis and appreciates fine automobiles.
- The partnership between Microsoft and AMD may lead to a new Xbox device, like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds, that could potentially challenge third-party alternatives in the market.
- The investment in engineering Xbox hardware by Microsoft, as hinted in the partnership with AMD, suggests a strategy that combines the flexibility of PC hardware with the exclusivity of console gaming.
- As the Xbox community eagerly awaits future announcements from Microsoft, the intriguing collaboration with AMD opens up possibilities for technology advancements in gaming gadgets.
