Microsoft working on Handheld

[katscratch]

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=12181


According to Dean Takahashi, author of a yet to be released book about the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft is planning to release a handheld gaming device in the relatively near future. While the news has yet to be officially confirmed by Microsoft, it comes as little surprise to those who have been paying attention to the internal workings of Microsoft.

[katscratch]

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=12181

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> According to Dean Takahashi, author of a yet to be released book about the launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft is planning to release a handheld gaming device in the relatively near future. While the news has yet to be officially confirmed by Microsoft, it comes as little surprise to those who have been paying attention to the internal workings of Microsoft. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Brimtown]

This wouldn't happen to be the Origami, would it? I remember seeing lots of rumors about a MS handheld gaming system several weeks ago, something you could play Halo on. I think those rumors were pretty much dispelled, it turns out that Origami is basically a handheld PC - but it doesn't have enough power to run Xbox games.

It would be nice if MS did have some other project up their sleeves, although I shudder to think what a true handheld MS gaming system, complete with mp3 player and all the other bells & whistles would cost.

[Magiz]

I'd be interested to hear more about this idea from Microsoft. A Handheld would be very good way to help their sales. Add in Live support and wireless (which I'm sure they're already thinking of). It could be a very solid competitor. Not to mention if it was able to play the games from XBox, it really would give it a leg up. Mind you entering into this area might be a tough one. Nintendo and Sony have already been doing this for a while now. Not to mention other then the UMD's. Sony's is just starting to really get their system off the ground. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Though it doesn't sound like they'll have anything on it at this years E3. Maybe 2007 will shine some light on this.

I also noticed the article talks about Microsoft creating an online music network, like iTunes. If this (code name Alexandria) is in fact, for the Marketplace. It should really help push the Marketplace's activity and usefulness. Maybe they'll continue this idea and maybe branch into TV and/or other media types.

As for the Origami. It is just a handheld PC. It actually as far as I've read. Has nothing to do with Microsoft other then maybe the OS.

[SC-Sonik_XTC]

*if this isnt the oragami*
which isnt a gaming handheld btw.

i think microsoft will fail at gaming handhelds.. i have a vision of Neo Geo in my mind and microsoft taking its spot of pure ****.

i think psp barely got away with it by adding a bunch of other stuff to gather people to buy the system.
-
just my opinon

[Brimtown]

The thing about the Origami is that many people had been assuming it *would* be a portable gaming device, mp3 player, video player, etc all rolled into one.

I was just wondering if this author was one of those people, or if he's latched on to something else entirely.

[Gypsy816]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Brimtown:
The thing about the Origami is that many people had been assuming it *would* be a portable gaming device, mp3 player, video player, etc all rolled into one.

I was just wondering if this author was one of those people, or if he's latched on to something else entirely. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yeah, isn't it a portable pc first and foremost?

[Brimtown]

I think that's exactly what it is. If it does play any games, they will probably be stuff like solitaire, minesweeper, hearts, and other stuff that doesn't use too much power.

[Brimtown]

"...it appears as though the recently announced Origami tablet PC is not the only handheld device Microsoft has in the works."

Oh well - I guess it actually is a separate project! This should be interesting, it would be pretty cool if it can play Halo.

[MKCC14]

Yeah, this is an actual handheld. but i dont think its gonna be any different from the psp. probably the only difference its gonna have is something with the 360. but its basically gonna have all the features as the psp.

Games arent really going to be good since M$ dont really have that much good exclusives.

[Brimtown]

I've read several articles that say that exclusives may soon be a thing of the past, or at very least will drop drastically. As games become more and more expensive to produce, it just doesn't make much sense economically to limit yourself to just one console, when you can make money selling games for all of them. In fact, the next GTA is expected to be released on both the PS3 and 360 simultaneously.

I think soon the only true exclusives you'll see are those by the manufacturers themselves, such as Halo, Zelda, Mario.

[Valkyrie FD]

YAY!!!!!! More competition driving the game industry WOOT.

[katscratch]

Magiz -
Imagine if they simply made a handheld that would connect to your XBL account and you could play arcade games. Get your Geometry Wars achievements when you are on the bus or at work!!! This would be crazy addicting.

[Brimtown]

LOL, any portable game you could log into with your XBL account would be awesome. There are quite a few older XBox titles I wouldn't mind toting around, even if they can't get Halo to run on a handheld just yet. Tony Hawk, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, the possibilities are endless http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Juiceman72]

Yay more stuff to spend money on!

BTW, who's Katscratch? I know that name from somewhere...

[katscratch]

Where is my d*mn blog entry you owe me Juice???

[Magiz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by katscratch:
Magiz -
Imagine if they simply made a handheld that would connect to your XBL account and you could play arcade games. Get your Geometry Wars achievements when you are on the bus or at work!!! This would be crazy addicting. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
So very true. With games like Geometry Wars, Hexic and soon Street Fighter II. Not to mention whatever types of specific games, they're making for it. Give us all that and possibly downloadable music and other media. I simply don't think you could ever take this thing away from me.

[Loganissocool]

This looks intresting but it has changed so many times in the past few weeks.

Is this a handheld gaming machine, a mini computer, or something else. If I can play street fight II on it and link it to my GT and pwn Ukyo, I am all for it.

[QuestionMar1988]

i think nintendo is the only one that can make a good handheld.but a MS handheld could be interesting.

[Brimtown]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Loganissocool:
This looks intresting but it has changed so many times in the past few weeks.

Is this a handheld gaming machine, a mini computer, or something else. If I can play street fight II on it and link it to my GT and pwn Ukyo, I am all for it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The problem with any MS project is that they're shrouded in secrecy, and there's always going to be all sorts of rumors going around.

But it does appear from the article that there are two distinct handheld projects under way - a handheld PC, and a MS version of PSP. If this device takes advantage of WiFi and gives you access to your XBL account, then it could be a huge hit. Imagine being able to play some of the Xbox library, as well as being able to access your Friends List, send messages, etc.

[Digital_Voltage]

Hm, some portable Marble Blast would be swell. I'd like to see what they come up with, though I'm not looking to buy another hand held so soon. I'm quite satisfied with my DS at the moment.

[PacNW_CE]

Yippie. I bet it'll make my hands hurt just like my DS. It's all about what makes me happy afterall......

[Gypsy816]

A little different buuuuut...

You notice that the Xbox is starting to look more like a PC? I had a dream last night that Bill Gates announced the next Xbox and it was called "Xbox PC! With a new screen that is compatable with it!" The screen was just a monitor. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-indifferent.gif

[SC-Sonik_XTC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Gypsy816:
You notice that the Xbox is starting to look more like a PC? I had a dream last night that Bill Gates announced the next Xbox and it was called "Xbox PC! With a new screen that is compatable with it!" The screen was just a monitor. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-indifferent.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

you better write that down in your dream book!

i actually had a dream a while ago before 360 and even before halo 2 that i was playing a boxing game with amazing graphics. and i even told my friend that i had a weird dream. what do you know.. it was fight night: round 3.. that freaked me out so much that its possible to have dreams where you predict the future but you really dont go off on it and when it does happen you feel weird.

you never know, the next xbox could be just a gaming computer.
-
which brings me to the point on what happend to that "gaming system" that was a laptop.. it was going to come out a long time ago but i guess they failed.

anyone remember the name of the system?