Latest news with #AllyX
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Microsoft takes another swing at handhelds with new fullscreen Xbox experience, takes on Steam Deck and Switch 2
Microsoft is finally getting serious about handheld gaming. After years of experiments and half-baked ideas, the company is now working closely with Asus to deliver a handheld experience that feels a lot more like a console than a PC. The result? Two new devices — the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X — both designed around a new, fullscreen Xbox interface built for portable gameplay. These aren't just Windows PCs in a smaller form factor. Microsoft is stripping back the clutter, cutting unnecessary background tasks, and offering a streamlined UI that puts games front and centre. Basically, Microsoft wants to make gaming on Windows handhelds faster, cleaner, and more console-like, in a direct move to challenge the Steam Deck and Nintendo's recently released Switch ROG Xbox Ally models are powered by AMD's Z2 series chips. The standard version runs on the Ryzen Z2 A with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, targeting 720p gameplay. The more powerful Ally X features the Z2 Extreme chip, with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage, aimed at 900p to 1080p gaming. Both have 7-inch 1080p 120Hz displays, support VRR, and now come with a dedicated Xbox button that ties into Microsoft's new new interface is what really sets this apart from previous handheld attempts. Instead of booting into the usual Windows desktop, these devices go straight into a fullscreen Xbox app. No taskbar, no wallpaper, no typical PC setup — just a clean, game-focused layout. Players can browse titles across multiple stores, like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and Epic, all from one place. And the UI is built for controllers, making it much easier to use on the Microsoft says this is about more than just looks. By skipping the Windows desktop and trimming back background processes, the new Xbox experience saves around 2GB of memory, which goes straight back into improving game performance. There are also updates to the Xbox Game Bar, better multitasking features with controller-friendly navigation, and new tools to manage things like Wi-Fi and interface will first launch on the new ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X but will also roll out to existing ROG Ally handhelds later this year. Microsoft says it plans to expand the experience to more Windows handhelds in 2025, and it's even working on a 'verified for handheld' label — similar to Steam Deck's compatibility list — to help gamers know which titles are fully no word on pricing or availability yet, but one thing is certain: Microsoft is finally taking Windows handheld gaming pretty seriously. With that said, will it be able to sway users from the Steam Deck or Switch 2? That remains to be tuned to India Today Tech on all the latest about the ROG Xbox Ally models.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Xbox handheld console is here. Meet the Xbox Ally's
Microsoft has unveiled two versions of its new handheld gaming device : the Xbox Ally and the more powerful Xbox Ally X . The Ally X is equipped with AMD's latest handheld processor, the AI Z2 Extreme, which features a built-in NPU delivering 50 TOPs of AI performance essentially turning it into a Copilot+ laptop in handheld form. Meanwhile, the standard Ally uses the less powerful Z2 A Xbox Ally X arrives just in time for Microsoft to integrate Copilot into the Xbox App. It also mirrors the specs of the Asus ROG Ally X, released in July 2024, boasting a 1080p display, 120Hz refresh rate, and VRR support via Freesync Premium. While it's unclear if the screen is identical, it promises a stunning visual experience has also optimized the software experience for the Xbox Ally X, tailoring it specifically for handheld use. When it launches later this year, the device will boot directly into a newly redesigned, handheld-friendly version of the Xbox App. This updated interface will act as a unified launch hub, seamlessly integrating your PC game libraries including Steam, Epic Games, and more into one an official release date hasn't been announced, Microsoft has indicated that both the Xbox Ally X and the standard Ally are expected to debut during the holiday season. Pricing details have yet to be revealed.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Xbox handheld console is here. Meet the Xbox Ally's
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Microsoft has unveiled two versions of its new handheld gaming device : the Xbox Ally and the more powerful Xbox Ally X . The Ally X is equipped with AMD's latest handheld processor, the AI Z2 Extreme, which features a built-in NPU delivering 50 TOPs of AI performance essentially turning it into a Copilot+ laptop in handheld form. Meanwhile, the standard Ally uses the less powerful Z2 A Xbox Ally X arrives just in time for Microsoft to integrate Copilot into the Xbox App. It also mirrors the specs of the Asus ROG Ally X, released in July 2024, boasting a 1080p display, 120Hz refresh rate, and VRR support via Freesync Premium. While it's unclear if the screen is identical, it promises a stunning visual experience has also optimized the software experience for the Xbox Ally X, tailoring it specifically for handheld use. When it launches later this year, the device will boot directly into a newly redesigned, handheld-friendly version of the Xbox App. This updated interface will act as a unified launch hub, seamlessly integrating your PC game libraries including Steam, Epic Games, and more into one an official release date hasn't been announced, Microsoft has indicated that both the Xbox Ally X and the standard Ally are expected to debut during the holiday season. Pricing details have yet to be revealed.
National Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
ASUS ROG Ally X review: Hardcore hardware for handheld gaming
Article content Another hardware gripe I have (though perhaps it's software related?) is the glass power button that doubles as the fingerprint sensor. I was excited that this would allow me to wake and login to the Ally X quickly every time, but I found that it was terribly spotty. It's worked maybe 10 per cent of the time, and I've re-mapped my finger(s) numerous times. Pick a short pin as backup because you're going to be using it. Article content I've also mentioned the need for adapters to get external accessories working, and this is another one of my frustration points. I have a USB C dongle that includes an HDMI port that I've used on other computers to get an external display going, and it didn't work on the Ally X. Article content Windows is (once again) perhaps the worst part of using an ASUS product, though perhaps a necessary evil of the inclusive gaming landscape. The one thing I'll say about Windows 11 on the Ally X is that I was surprised to find that it's, well… Windows 11. Full on, Windows 11. Like I've mentioned earlier and in other articles, I'm primarily a console gamer and a Mac user, so I was sort of astounded to realize that this gaming handheld was essentially a tiny (yet fully capable) PC. If you can stomach Windows, or are confident enough to finagle a partition with Bazzite or SteamOS installed, then this handheld device is an absolute must-have. Article content Article content Processor Article content Display Article content 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS-level glossy display sRGB: 100% Adobe: 75.35% Gorilla® Glass Victus™ Touch Screen (10-point multi-touch) Refresh Rate: 120Hz Response Time: 7ms Brightness: 500 nits FreeSync Premium Article content Memory Article content 12GB*2 LPDDR5 on board Support dual channel memory Article content Storage: 1TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ M.2 SSD (2280) Article content I/O Ports Article content Article content Control and Input Article content A B X Y buttons D-pad L & R Hall Effect analog triggers L & R bumpers View button Menu button Command Center button Armoury Crate button 2 x assignable grip buttons Thumbsticks: 2 x full-size analog sticks Haptics: HD haptics Gyro: 6-Axis IMU Article content Audio Article content AI noise-canceling technology Hi-Res certification (for headphone) Smart Amp Technology Dolby Atmos Built-in array microphone 2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology Article content Battery: 80WHrs, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion Article content Power Supply Article content TYPE-C, 65W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 3.25A, 65W, Input: 100~240V AC 50/60Hz universal Article content Weight: 678 g (1.49 lbs) Article content Security Article content
