Latest news with #ProjectKennan
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Microsoft could launch Xbox handheld console with custom AMD chip: Report
Microsoft is reportedly working on its own handheld Xbox gaming console, and new information about its hardware has emerged. While Asus is set to release an Xbox-branded handheld device soon, Microsoft's version is believed to feature a custom processor developed by AMD. This move comes ahead of Microsoft's planned launch of a next-generation gaming console expected in 2027, which aims to compete with the rumoured PlayStation 6. According to a leak shared on the NeoGAF forums by user KeplerL2, Microsoft will equip its handheld device with a custom low-power accelerated processing unit (APU) designed by AMD. The leak does not include further details on the chip's power use or technical design. This custom AMD chip is said to power the "real" Xbox handheld console coming directly from Microsoft, which differentiates it from other Xbox-branded handhelds made by third-party manufacturers such as Asus. Also read: Apple Arcade to add UNO: Arcade edition, What the Car? and more in June game lineup Other Xbox-branded handheld devices from different manufacturers will likely use a variety of processors. These include AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme, Intel's Lunar or Panther Lake CPUs, Nvidia's N1, and the Snapdragon X Elite 2. Earlier rumours suggested Microsoft's device might use an ARM-based chip, which raised questions about its ability to run older Xbox games. If the leak holds true, the custom AMD processor could allow better compatibility with a wider range of Xbox titles. Also read: Google I/O 2025: AI Mode rolls out in Search, know how it will benefit users No official release date has been announced for Microsoft's handheld console. Meanwhile, Asus is expected to launch its Xbox-branded model soon. The Asus ROG Ally 2 recently appeared on the US FCC website along with the 'Project Kennan' variant, which features a black finish and an Xbox button. The black version reportedly uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (36W) APU and 64GB of RAM, while a white version comes with a less powerful AMD Aeirth Plus (20W) APU. Both models are expected to have a 7-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Also read: Google I/O 2025: Gemini Live with camera now free for everyone, Veo 3 for AI Ultra and other reveals Asus has hinted at a new ROG Ally console with upgraded hardware, although it did not confirm if it will carry the Xbox brand. Microsoft responded to Asus's social media post with a meme, which may indicate ongoing collaboration on the Project Kennan handheld device. Mobile finder: iPhone 16 LATEST price, specs and all details
Tom's Guide
07-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Asus ROG Ally 2 leak reveals what Xbox handheld may look like — and it comes with big upgrades
After teasing the first Xbox gaming handheld, a new leak shows off a first look at Asus' ROG Ally 2 — and it comes with a few key upgrades. Spotted by 91mobiles, the US FCC website has revealed details on the Asus ROG Ally 2, which is set to arrive in two models. Images of both handhelds (via @94G8LA on X) show it will come in black and white, but the former reveals a dedicated Xbox button near the menu buttons on the left-hand side. Codenamed Project Kennan, Asus' upcoming handheld was expected to come with Xbox integration, and it now appears the upcoming ROG Ally 2 will have an Xbox edition. The console also has controller-like grips, but otherwise has a similar layout to the Asus ROG Ally X. You may like As per the filing, the black edition is set to arrive with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, with 8 cores and 16 threads, and 36W TDP. This is a substantial step up in performance over the ROG Ally (with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme), meaning it looks to be a true next-gen gaming handheld. It's also expected to come with up to 64GB of DDR5X memory and up to 2TB for storage. We can also expect a 7-inch 120Hz display (via VideoCardz). Although, if you look closely, there still seems to be similar display bezels as with its predecessor. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: 94G8LA / X) (Image credit: 94G8LA / X) We also get a look at the ROG Ally 2's top, which shows two USB-C ports instead of one, alongside what looks like a HDMI port. This may turn out differently once the handheld arrives, but it's interesting to see how multiple USB-C ports will be used. As for the white edition (named Gardenia White), this noticeably has the same menu button as the black edition, although this doesn't have the Xbox logo. It could mean Asus will develop an Xbox model and a base Windows 11 edition, but this is still up in the air. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. According to the listing, the white ROG Ally 2 will feature a different "AMD Aeirth Plus" chip with 4 cores and a 20W TDP. So, this model could be a more affordable version of the handheld, similar to how the Lenovo Legion Go S is set to arrive in multiple configurations (one with SteamOS). Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: 94G8LA / X) (Image credit: 94G8LA / X) The Asus ROG Ally 2 has yet to be officially announced, but the company has already teased the first Xbox handheld. Now, the leak gives us a good idea of what to expect. Based on previous launches, its expected to be revealed during Computex 2025 in May, so keep an eye out for the big launch. Will the Xbox price rise affect the ROG Ally 2? (Image credit: Future) With the ROG Ally 2 leaked images showing a dedicated Xbox button, it's looking likely that this handheld is the Xbox and Asus partnership we've been hearing about. However, that means it could be affected with a price hike. Recently, Microsoft raised the price of Xbox consoles, with the Xbox Series X seeing a $100 jump due to "market conditions" (a.k.a. tariffs). If the ROG Ally 2 is counted as an Xbox console, the handheld could cost a lot more than expected. To put this into perspective, the ROG Ally is set at $699 and the ROG Ally X is at $799. Even the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is getting a $50 price hike, which shows that gaming handhelds are getting more expensive. And, with the leaked specs of the ROG Ally 2 showing some powerful internals (namely the Ryzen Z2 Extreme), Asus' console is looking to come at a high price. Of course, no prices or release dates have been officially announced, so we'll have to wait and see how the hugely anticipated Asus ROG Ally 2 turns out — and how it comapres to the popular Nintendo Switch 2. In the meantime, check out AMD FSR 4 could do for gaming handhelds. More from Tom's Guide
Metro
07-05-2025
- Metro
Xbox handheld pic leaks in new photos of collaboration with Asus
Photos have emerged of Xbox's upcoming Asus handheld collaboration, which is expected to be released later this year. Microsoft has been teasing plans for two separate handhelds for some time now, with one being a next gen device and the other a third party collaboration. Based on a teaser trailer from last month, the latter appears to be a team-up with Asus, which launched its own handheld gaming device, the Asus ROG Ally, in 2023. The company's collaboration with Xbox, codenamed Project Kennan, has now seemingly leaked in full, through a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listing in the US. As reported by VideoCardz, the pictures appear to show two variants of the upcoming Asus ROG Ally 2. The white version looks like the standard version of the handheld, while the black version is believed to be the Xbox device, aka Project Kennan. There isn't much to differentiate the two systems on the surface – very dusty exterior aside – but a button on the upper left of the black device appears to show a dedicated Xbox button (it's lacking any colour, but you can just about see the 'X' outline). This same button is on the white version too, although it doesn't appear to have the same Xbox marking. According to the leaked listing, the black Xbox model will be more powerful than its white counterpart. The former is said to use the Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor with 8 cores and 36w TDP (thermal design power), while the white model uses AMD Aeirth Plus with 4 cores and 20w TDP. It's unclear whether the Xbox version will have a dedicated operating system, or if it will simply have better integration with the Xbox app through Windows. Considering Microsoft is working on another handheld though, which is a few years away, this will likely intended only as a stop-gap solution to test the market. More Trending Interestingly, Microsoft recently debuted a new 'Xbox PC' brand as part of its reveal for Gears Of War: Reloaded, so it's possible this Asus device could fit under that moniker. However, don't expect this to come cheap. The original Asus ROG Ally costs around £599 through the official store, and after Microsoft's recent price hikes due to US tariffs, it's likely this device will burn a significant hole in your wallet. Aside from the price, the big question is when this handheld will be officially shown. Microsoft has an Xbox summer showcase on June 8, but considering this is primarily an Asus device, it might instead debut at the Computex 2025 trade show on May 20, 2025. Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 is less than a month away – here's where you can pre-order MORE: Games Inbox: Was GTA 6 Trailer 2 a disappointment? MORE: 8 hidden details from GTA 6 Trailer 2 that show how the game will play
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
There's One Huge Problem With That Xbox Handheld Teaser From ASUS
This is not the Xbox handheld you're looking for... Project Kennan, the codename for Microsoft's dedicated Xbox gaming handheld, only exists in the prototype stage and is likely a few years ago. But there's a firestorm of rumors swirling that the first phase of Microsoft's Xbox handheld plans will involve partnering with an existing PC manufacturer, similar to Valve's partnership with Lenovo for the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS. Those rumors strongly suggest ASUS is that partner. However, that new teaser trailer from the ROG Ally X maker isn't worthy of all the excitement it's generating. The excitement is born from the expectation that such a handheld will feature Microsoft's streamlined gaming interface, a sorely needed change to Windows 11 that could make the handheld experience as elegant and intuitive as SteamOS. Microsoft promised the first iteration of it would land this year. So, back to the teaser trailer in question (which is slick and entertaining on its own). It shows ASUS' robot mascot OMNI performing an experiment to upgrade itself, and ends with the existing ROG Ally X and the Raikiri Pro Xbox controller accidentally finding their way into a fusion pod with the mischievous mascot. When ASUS shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), the official Xbox account immediately replied with the classic 'monkey side-eye' meme. That engagement, easily interpreted as a 'knowing wink' from Microsoft, immediately accelerated the hype machine, resulting in a bunch of articles proclaiming this as the first official product in this Xbox handheld partnership. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Well, not so fast. I don't think this is it. There are several moments in the trailer that point to this being an upgraded ROG Ally X, rather than some highly anticipated Xbox device with this new Windows UI for handhelds. To begin with, the trailer highlights four upgrades: 'Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speed, and fresh look.' So, let's translate that: it's a ROG Ally X with a larger battery, a larger storage drive, an upgraded processor (probably the Ryzen Z2 Extreme) and a new colorway. Then there's the inclusion of the Raikiri Pro Xbox controller. If this were the fabled Xbox hybrid handheld, why wouldn't an Xbox Series S or Series X have been included? All the evidence points to ASUS simply launching a ROG Ally X Pro. This doesn't mean ASUS isn't Microsoft's hardware partner for that initial Xbox handheld with the SteamOS-like interface, but this teaser trailer isn't hyping the handheld we're all looking forward to.
