.KICK Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 When I got the first piece of information regarding a Microsoft digital entertainment handheld last year, I wanted to be sure it wasn’t just a wild gossip. In a time when people is afraid of losing their jobs because of the global recession, getting sources to comment on such unannounced product took weeks and I decided not to run such breaking story until I could verify the rumors with other sources and get the green light from the insiders.It happened that between then and now, other publications have reported the existence of a Zune HD device and earlier this week, Mary Jo Foley reported the hardware specs of Microsoft’s Pink. Curiously, they all coincide with the scoop I got. Let me remind you that what you’re about to read was written back in January, with information I had as early as August of 2008. Microsoft Working on Digital Entertainment Handheld Well placed sources have told TeamXbox.com that Microsoft is in the final design stages of a “digital entertainment handheld.” According to sources in Redmond and Santa Clara, Microsoft is in the final design stages of a “digital entertainment handheld.” One of the sources for this story—all of whom chose to remain anonymous because they weren’t authorized to speak to the press—used the “xYz” moniker for the device [and I emphasize the “Y” in capitals to reflect the source’s highlighting of that letter out of the three] to explain to me that this “digital entertainment handheld” sits somewhere in-between the Xbox and Zune platforms, offering both gaming and media playback, as well as Internet-related services, all in a portable format. When I asked if such nickname implied that Microsoft will use a brand starting with the “Y” letter for this handheld, the source said: “As far as I know, the name of the device has not been decided yet.” The purpose of using that moniker, the source said, is to emphasize that this device is a mix of the Zune and Xbox platforms and, at the same time, a unique platform on its own. Another source consulted for this story confirmed the development of such mobile device, at least as of December of last year. This source defined the Microsoft handheld as “unlike anything on the market today,” and said that the only way to describe it is to “think of a mashup of the Sony Mylo, the PSP, and the iPhone… errr, the iPod Touch; [the MS handheld] doesn’t need access to a phone network.” That last sentence was one of the juiciest comments made, since the source wanted to emphasize this device lacks access to a phone network and that’s why he changed the iPhone example with the iPod Touch. Even if several analysts and publications have reported that Microsoft is planning to market its own smartphone, this second source told me not to expect any business application or user interface (UI) that resembles a smartphone. Furthermore, the source stressed: “Although the Microsoft handheld is definitely a converged device, this is not a Zune Phone.” The source added: “Microsoft won’t compete with its Windows Mobile customers.” It’s the Software, Stupid! Being a hardware geek, I would have preferred to learn everything about the handheld’s specs, but one source told me the most important aspect of this device lies is its software, services and the entertainment experience it offers. Even so, this source did confirm that the handheld is primarily “a portable game console and a media player.” The “xYz” is supposed to have a large WVGA touchscreen display and “hardware features not found on any handheld on the market.” Since I was informed about this, I’ve been trying to come up with specs that are not found on any mobile device currently on sale (more on that later). Once more, this source explained hardware is not the most important factor: “If it was up to the hardware, this device could launch sooner in time.” According to this source, Microsoft is waiting for other pieces of the puzzle to come together: Key Piece of the xYz Puzzle “This is a Live Anywhere device” the source reiterated several times. “There will be a single online marketplace; the lines between the Zune, Xbox Live and Sky marketplaces will blur when the handheld launches.” A quick search on the Internet revealed that Sky is the name of a yet-to-be-announced cloud computer service for mobile phones (similar to Apple’s App Store) that will host under its umbrella three services codenamed SkyBox, SkyLine and SkyMarket. It’s worth mentioning these comments regarding Sky were made to me in August of last year, well before the Sky codename would even appear on a Google search. Live Anywhere Buy a song, a movie or a TV show on your Xbox, play the content later on the handheld or the other way around. Play an Xbox Live Arcade game either on your Xbox or in this handheld. The source explained that many things Microsoft has implemented in the past, such as attaching your Gamertag to a Windows Live ID, will show this handheld is just one step in a carefully planned strategy that involves several Live branding services. The source also said that the graphical interface found in the New Xbox Experience will make its way onto the Microsoft handheld. The NXE user interface will be even easier to use on the handheld than on the Xbox 360, the source claimed. (Cover Flow-like navigation?) “When this handheld arrives, people will say it is Microsoft’s response to the iPhone, the Nintendo DS, the PSP, and so on, but it will be pretty evident that this device, its software, and services have been in the works for a very long time,” the source added. Killing Four Birds with One Stone According to one source, Microsoft will address several competitors with this handheld: Apple, Sony, Nintendo…and Google? “Yes, Google,” the source said. Is the device really that far-reaching that it can serve as a competitor to Google? This Microsoft mobile device will supposedly offer many Live Search services, such as Maps, News, Traffic and Video, and in this way, Microsoft would be counter-attacking the Google phones without competing with its Windows Mobile customers that manufacture mobile phones. My Thoughts There are things that cannot be explained in writing, because text cannot express tones, ambiguity and other aspects of an oral conversation. Employees providing such information of an unannounced product act like a sort of “Deep Throat,” being very cautious about every word spelled. Although neither source mentioned such spec, I got a feeling by the comments they made that the handheld will feature WiMax connectivity in addition to the standard Wi-Fi radio currently found in most portable devices. First, WiMax is one of the few features I could think of that practically no handheld device currently in the market has and second, the way the source told me that the MS handheld “doesn’t need access to a phone network” sounded cocky and intriguing. WiMax WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a new wireless communication technology aimed to provide broadband access to the Internet without the need of cables. You might be thinking that’s exactly what Wi-Fi is, but that’s a common misconception. Most people tend to think that Wi-Fi is basically wireless internet, when it is in fact a technology for wireless access to a local area network—if that LAN has a router that allows devices on the network to, among other things, access the Internet, well that has nothing to do with the Wi-Fi technology. This possibility has lead people to believe Wi-Fi equals to wireless Internet. Article Continued in source Source + Videos - TeamXbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-KJ Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 That'd be cool. If it has the power to play games like Halo, then it will certainly pose a threat to the PSP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmatic Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 x = xbox , y = ???? , z = zune i wonder what the name would be... wimax and tegra together in the same device, that sounds abit far off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted May 15, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted May 15, 2009 :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macrosslover Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 xboY lol i kid. I'll believe it when I see it. whatever it turns out to be if it's real and choose to compete with it's going to have a hard time competing with any 4 of the devices from any of those companies. Microsoft has shown a more willing attitude to spending money and advertising their product..they're going to need alot of advertising to convince people this is the next deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted May 15, 2009 Author Share Posted May 15, 2009 :p :rofl: Carmatic, I think the new Zune HD has wimax and tigra as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMELTN Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 sounds interesting.. Guess we will have to wait and see, although none of the handhelds can touch the sells of the DS, and anyone "to old" for the DS, goes with an iphone/ipod touch for their gaming now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynnoj Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 As long as it doesn't have phone functionality, then I'd certainly pick one up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Hammond Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Yawn not another touchscreen device when will people realise touchscreens arent a great way to control games, it needs analogue sticks, they need a decent ergonomic classic control scheme instead of the "me too!" trend that seems to be happening lately like the PS3 and Xbox 360 motion controls a la Wii. If this is another touchscreen gaming console i wont be buying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayepecks Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Could be amazing from the sounds of it... but I won't hold my breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olemus Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Yawn not another touchscreen device when will people realise touchscreens arent a great way to control games, it needs analogue sticks, they need a decent ergonomic classic control scheme instead of the "me too!" trend that seems to be happening lately like the PS3 and Xbox 360 motion controls a la Wii. If this is another touchscreen gaming console i wont be buying it. Err have you played a DS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green_Eye Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Could be amazing from the sounds of it... but I won't hold my breath. +1 (Y) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George P Global Moderator Posted May 16, 2009 Global Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2009 It's been a long time coming though. MS should've merged the XBL and Zune marketplace into one big service so if you have both you get all the great interoperability bonuses. If this new device (maybe it's a game version of the Zune HD?) can play XBLA games that'd be huge. Just think, you can play them on your 360, but if you want, d/l them to your device and take them on the go. Toss in WiMax etc and you get the online parts going as well. Then since it can play media also, any videos/tv shows etc, you d/l off of XBL can be moved to this and taken with you as well. If done right you could do loads of things just by having this in-between device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmatic Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Yawn thats it!! that could definitely be the name of this new device Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smigit Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It's been a long time coming though. MS should've merged the XBL and Zune marketplace into one big service so if you have both you get all the great interoperability bonuses. If this new device (maybe it's a game version of the Zune HD?) can play XBLA games that'd be huge. Just think, you can play them on your 360, but if you want, d/l them to your device and take them on the go. Toss in WiMax etc and you get the online parts going as well. Agreed. I also feel where appropriate Live Arcade Games should come with a license so you can play them on say a WM phone or a PC all with one purchase (maybe a small extra cost to unlock for multiple systems). Also I would totally sign up for the Zune store on a monthly basis just to use with other devices if it was offered here despite not having a Zune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Hammond Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Err have you played a DS? Yes thanks. I find touchscreen controls to be clumsy and inaccurate, they are great for mini games but uncomfy for long term usage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t0mbi Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It would be cool if they did bring out a device that could play a heap of XBL games..i don't think we will get something as powerful as the 360 in a handheld..and i don't think MS will bring something like that out cause it would probably cut into sales of the 360, and they don't need that cause it's selling great! Didn't Sega do that? Around the megadrive /Saturn days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George P Global Moderator Posted May 16, 2009 Global Moderator Share Posted May 16, 2009 Agreed. I also feel where appropriate Live Arcade Games should come with a license so you can play them on say a WM phone or a PC all with one purchase (maybe a small extra cost to unlock for multiple systems).Also I would totally sign up for the Zune store on a monthly basis just to use with other devices if it was offered here despite not having a Zune. There has been loads of talk about Zune marketplace and parts of the Zune media player software going into WinMo 7 So all that should be on phones in the future I bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmatic Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 It would be cool if they did bring out a device that could play a heap of XBL games..i don't think we will get something as powerful as the 360 in a handheld..and i don't think MS will bring something like that out cause it would probably cut into sales of the 360, and they don't need that cause it's selling great!Didn't Sega do that? Around the megadrive /Saturn days? are you referring to this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Game_Gear it was basically a shrunk down console based on last generation hardware, roughly the same as what the sony psp is to the ps3 so yeah, having an original xbox-based handheld would be pretty cool, except the tegra would be based on geforce 6 while the original xbox was based on the geforce 3... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Hammond Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 No hes talking about the Sega Nomad which was a handheld Genesis/Megadrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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