Microsoft’s Hand-held Rumor Just a Myth?

Where the heck is Microsoft's hand-held? The PSP and the DS are riding the wave into next-gen and leaving MS in the dust.

[Matthew94]

they may wait until the middle of the gen to see what consumers want

innovation - 3ds
raw power and multimedia capabilities - psp2

[TheLeprachaun]

Microsoft are going a different direction with mobile gaming. They're concentrating on supporting xbox live on Windows Phone 7 as opposed to a full fledged handheld console. Don't hold your breath for one.

[darthv72]

some day. MS is obviously watching how these trends get released.

Looking at handheld trends from before it was usually 2 sometimes 3 console gens in before a company would release a handheld. Not sure if this was to make sure the hardware would be equal if not better than the previous console release.

PSP is better than a ps1 and came out during the run up to the ps3. Game gear is equal to a master system and came out after genesis. The only one I can think of that had a handheld coincide with the same console specs would be the turboexpress. That is because it played the same games on the go as it did at home.

[blumatt]

I hope that the PSP2 can at least play PS2 Classics, which would also require that it have dual analogs and ALL FOUR shoulder buttons too. But, and I say but, it would be very cool if it could play certain PS3 titles, like sports games. So, you're playing NBA 2K 12 on your PS3 and then you take your game on the go and play it on the PSP2. Now THAT would be taking handhelds to a whole new level! I'd buy one for damn sure, then.

[MariaHelFutura]

MS doesn`t have enough internal studios to have a home console and a handheld.

[Sarcasm]

They're probably working out overheating issues.

I kid I kid.

On topic, I hope MS doesn't release a handheld, that would just split up their millions and millions of dollars and resources for the Xbox 360.

[saladthieves]

I think Microsoft's answer to the handheld market of games are their Windows Phone 7. The fact that their Xbox Live service is already present on these phones means that this is their response to the handheld console.

[HolyOrangeCows]

They don't need their attention divided. Look at what they have planned for us this year......yeaaaaaah....

If you divided their attention any further...I don't even know. Their entertainment/Xbox division is already a bit...inattentive.

[Stealth20k]

and microsofts phone is failing hard. They have no idea what to do in the face of nintendo

[TheLeprachaun]

Microsoft don't have a 'phone'. They have a mobile OS, WIndows Phone 7, and it's not failing hard. It's doing quite well considering how long it's been on the market. It's already miles ahead of iOS (not in sales, I mean the OS quality itself) and in my opinion, on par with Android. It's got the best UI of the lot and the only thing holding it back is lack of some features and a smaller app catalogue, things which will come in time.

[darthv72]

stealth is thinking of that kin thing which failed. Anyways, the OS is pretty solid. I would gladly trade in my samsung impression for the samsung focus (WP7) or captivate (droid).

I used to want an iphone back when they first came out. Then everyone got one and it wasnt a big deal anymore. Droid and WP7 are the new things to get. iPhone....not so much.

[TheLeprachaun]

Maybe he's thinking of the Kin, but that was scrapped so it doesn't really make sense for it to be 'failing hard' hehe. The Kin was a piece of shit though.

Agreed on the iphone point as well. Their OS is just a grid of apps....the only thing it's going for it is the massive app dev support. Without that, their OS is nothing.

Android and WP7 are far superior.

[GfxPipeline]

Windows Phone 7 is garbage that no one but a tiny number of hardcore Microsoft fanboys were dumb enough to buy.

The only positive for Microsoft latest failure in the cellphone market is they can say at least it didn't fail as badly as the Kin.

It's dead. Get over it.

[Baka-akaB]

MS indeed had the kin , wich crashed and burned .

And right now the numbers are quite low for win 7 phones . 1.5 million in the first six weeks .

it took longer for android , but on a far less wide selection of devices and carrier (as opposed to 10 devices on 60 carriers in 30 different countries).

And since it's gained lots of traction

Even Microsoft’s Director of Windows Phone Program Management , Joe Belfiore isnt confident w7 phones will catch up android and ios phones anytime soon .

Edit :

Cool someone is such a fanboy he is disagreeing with "microsoft" itself :p .

[SuperLupe]

Bah the xbox is finnaly a hit for them after a lot of hard work, spending and spot on tactical decisions. Not sure they want to try the adventure again with a handheld version any time soon.

[GfxPipeline]

LOL...

Did you actually just try to describe the Xbox 360 as a 'hit'...

The console that is in last place in worldwide installed base and dead everywhere but the US and the UK...

[Jazz4108]

GfxPipeline, Thanks for commenting your fanboy hate twice as I got to rape you for bubbles twice.

[SuperLupe]

You're talking BS.

And even if it was true, the USA with 330 million inhabitants counts more in the gaming industry than the whole of Europe with 450 million inhabitants.

And if you just take the UK alone its the 2nd biggest market in the world AHEAD of Japan.

Im sure there's wore than being in MS's position right now :)

[Arup02]

I hope it's a myth. I want all the MS attention focused on the Xbox 360

[silvacrest]

MS attention is just on kinect right now and since its seems to be a success i dont see them changing that anytime soon

[OC_MurphysLaw]

MS wont be going handheld... that rumor probably was born from Microsofts phone initiative. Window Phone 7 is their handheld device. They set a min. standard all need to meet when making a phone to use for their OS. This is MS's strength and honestly the best move they could have made. Handheld devices pale in comparison to phone sales... MS will continue to grow their Windows Phones through companies like Samsung and LG...

Strict handheld gaming devices will be a dinosaurs in a matter of a few years.

[1PC2PS33360]

MS most likely won't be making another console at all, the 360 was a shareholders worst nightmare.

[256bit]

so hows that zune holding up?

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Just fine... have my Zune HD right here. Btw...Zune is evolving well beyond just the MP3 Player it first started off as. Its becoming MS's new media platform/store and I suspect in a few years will replace the Windows Media Player as the defacto player/store interface for MS OS's.

[zackacloud]

There no point of making portable xbox

because 90% of games makes for ds or psp and the rest multi such or flop

and micro don't have a names that we wish to see it on hand-held except SE with cash of course

[Murgatroyd7]

What?

[nevin1]

Im sure Microsoft has been looking into it these last 5 yrs. Personally I think handhelds have a better future than consoles. One of my arguments is consoles game prices will get higher each gen. PS1 games were $39.99. PS2 games were $49.99 and PS3 games are $59.99. $69.99 for PS4 games sounds scary.

On the other hand these games will have portable version at a cheaper price.. PSP1 already has PS2/PS3 game quality but PSP1 had limited controls. This wont be a problem with future handhelds considereding the PSP2 will have 2 sticks given it more flexibility/versatility.

I think Microsoft should have a portable Xbox in the next 5 years.

[zackacloud]

Yeah bad control
u will live that for sure if u would to play KH BBS

In the end psp make fun than ps3 these days(without consider GT5 time )

S 4 B E

[vishant101]

I can remember when Nintendo charged us 60 bucks for a game on the 64

[nevin1]

im glad i was borrowing games from people as N64 games didn't last. example is WCW/NWO Revenge and WWF No Mercy, those games were superb but gets stale overtime. Now i blame Nintendo using cartridges as those games will be more expanded if were CDs instead.

[Murgatroyd7]

I really think this rumor is just related to the development of WP7, which I think is enough. Sure, I like the idea of a Microsoft handheld, but I really don't need yet another device to carry around with me.

[Rah5er0]

I'm just disappointed that the WP7 isn't a true hand-held. It's like a remote for my 360-

[Spenok]

More then likely. Im sure Microsoft dont want to jump into unfamiliar territory so soon, especially when you put into consideration that Nintendo still owns like 80% of the handheld market.

[Garnett]

There is barely room for PSP2 and you want a Xbox hand held? LMAO.

Nintendo has the casuals, Apple has everyone and Sony will have the hardcore.

[teh]

xbox handheld, something about that makes me feel uneasy

[mcstorm]

Ms have said that wp7 is going to be there mobile gaming platform and they dont want to release a hand held like psp or ds. I think at this moment it is a good time for them not to bring one out as the 3ds and psp2 will be hard to crack this year but maybe in the next 5 or so years when we are ready for the next gen. As for people who are saying wp7 is rubish must really hate microsoft or never used wp7. Wp7 is nothing like wimo its a new os and i got the hd7 on release and i think ot is the best mobile os i have ever used it links with my social life work life very well and out of the box and no other phone offers this. I know because ive had most mobile os and i am a very big fan of android and had the desire and when i up graded i had to pock between the desire hd and hd7 and i am glad i made the switch. Ok its missing copy and past at this moment in time but we get that in jan and the move that ms have made by controling the os and default lay out of the os will keep the phones very quick and not slugish. This is the biggest fault of android and the old wimo. Yes you could have a company add there own ui onto the phones but this has caused problems in its self. Look at se x10 samsung galaxy they are 2 powerful phones but the ui slows the phones down this is where apple got it right with there os the control everything and it all works. This is what ms have done with qindows phone 7 they have set the rules on what can and cant be done with the hardware and software.

I dont think wp7 will get the number 1 spot that will be apple n android to battle out but i think wp7 will have 3spot but if nokia join forces with ms that could be the big game changer they need.