Microsoft to Enter Handheld Market?

eldavojohn wrote to mention that, via Joystiq, he read an article over at BusinessWeek that indicates Microsoft may be working on a portable media device. The article states that, if they are, they're not just going after the iPod. The plan would include a way to leverage a powerful part of the Microsoft empire: games. From the article: "Microsoft would probably use the Xbox brand to market the gadget. 'I think the brand is an opportunity,' Moore says. True, perhaps, but also risky. If the new device comes with the Xbox brand, most consumers will view it as a game player, like Sony's PlayStation Portable. That might limit its appeal, since the portable gaming market is much smaller than the one for digital media." A funny comment, considering the success of the DS.

Comments

A Third Portable?

[Excors]

This subject was on Gamasutra a short while ago: A Third Portable?

Last week Gamasutra asked our professional audience, "What hardware capabilities and software would be needed for a third company to create a competitive rival to the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, and which companies might be capable of doing so? Should they try?"

[...] Of the cited companies who might possibly compete in this area, Apple and Microsoft were by far the most mentioned, with many readers citing Xbox Live and iTunes as superior distribution mediums.

I can see it now.

[Musteval]

XBox Portable. Only two cubic feet. Weighs less than twenty pounds. A whopping megabyte of RAM.

Go for it

[minginqunt]

I mean, it worked out so well for Sony. They'd be mad not to go for it.

1. Release desirable, powerful handheld games console.
2. Subsidize it up the bottom.
3. Fail to release any games other than pointless ports of console games I already own.
4. ???
5. FAIL TO PROFIT!!!

By the way, the '???' there was caused by my playing a spot of Mario Kart DS. I really should focus more when bleating at Slashdot.

Re:Go for it

[clontzman]

Fail to release any games other than pointless ports of console games I already own.
...

By the way, the '???' there was caused by my playing a spot of Mario Kart DS

In other words, the flagship game for the DS is a port of a console game you probably own on four other platforms already? ;-)

It may be successful, but

[szembek]

At the same time the mp3 player market and video game market are completely different. While somebody who buys a portable game system might use built in mp3 player functionality, somebody looking for an mp3 player would not be interested in the overhead of a gaming system.

Alternate Uses

[vjmurphy]

Not only will it be able to play games, music and movies, but like its larger sibling, it will also be a portable heater.

XBOX Handheld

[th1ckasabr1ck]

I'm pretty sure it's just going to be a laptop.

Possible designs

[Eightyford]

Here are a few possible designs:

xbox
xbox
joke
xbox

And, a portable gamecube:
gamecube

I come... FROM THE FUTURE!

[RyoShin]

November 2nd, 2006
Microsoft Unveils New Portable Gaming Station
via Reuters

In the wake of the success of both Sony's PS3 and Nintendo's Revolution and dwindling XBox 360 numbers, Microsoft has stepped up to the plate to challenge both companies in another gaming market: handhelds.

In an MTV2 event held yesterday, Micrsoft revealed their "XBox Z", the tentatively named portable gaming station. "We aim to do it all," a spokesman commented. "The XBox Z, known internally as the ZBox, will be a one-size-fits all handheld device, capable of playing anything, from video to music to games."

The unit, which is a bit smaller than a regular computer keyboard, weighs in at about two pounds. Controls are made up of four analog control sticks and six buttons, as well as three buttons on each shoulder. When asked about how gamers are supposed to use four analog sticks with only two thumbs, the spokesman replied "They'll think of something."

A 5" LCD screen sits in the middle and slightly up, amidst the controls. The unit takes regular sized CDs and will also support the new HD-DVD format, playing anything from XBox games to CDs to DVDs. Mentioned briefly was an attachment to play turntable-style records, to pull in the music enthusiast crowd.

Initial accessories were also announced at the unveiling. A small packpack, used to hold the system and its three required power sources, will be offered in various colors, as well as a clear mesh form. A utility-like belt will be used to hold various media to play in the device.

When asked about battery life and size, the Microsoft spokesman replied "I'll admit, right now it's a bit of a drainer, with a large size. We're working on the battery life, and expect to have it last two hours on 16 AA batteries. As for the large size, we're looking into shrinking it, but complete hard drives are hard to replace. Besides, gamers will be able to show their handheld with pride, belittling the other so called 'gaming handhelds'."

No release date was announced, though Microsoft plans to use "Bringing gaming to a new dimension" as their slogan.

More information is expected by the end of the month, as long as the Korean-Canadian war does not interfere with ongoing plans.