does not feel like a console. >> The the Xbox Ally X and the Xbox Ally, how do they measure up to the other Windows handhelds out there. >> They they're they're propping it up as this console thing.It is not an Xbox console. It does not play Xbox console games. Okay, let's let's take other handhelds that should cost around $1,000 and compare it to the Xbox Ally X at $1,000.This thing has better grips. It feels more comfortable to hold than them, but it's now maybe a little bit harder to do the things that I ...

We’re very bullish on the handheld future of gaming. But we’re not bullish on the new ROG Xbox Ally. The Verge’s Sean Hollister joins the show to explain why this Xbox-branded device barely feels like an Xbox, and why it’s definitely not a threat to the Steam Deck, before he and David debate whether the future of Xbox is even in good hands. After that, The Verge’s Hayden Field walks David through a couple of important recent studies, asking the same basic question: is AI making us dumb? Finally, Sean return ...

The ROG Xbox Ally just launched and we want to put as many of our games on it as possible. I'm going to show you how to access Steam, the Epic Game Store, and Battleet so you can play everything on the one device. Of course, this will work on both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X since they have the same Windows 11 operating system.And while it's easiest to do this with a mouse and keyboard plugged in, you can of course navigate all these steps with the controls or touch screen. Let's start with Steam. And sur ...

A new gaming handheld has entered the chat. Let’s unbox the $1,000 Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. #gaming #gaminghandheld #unboxing #asus #asusrog #xboxally ...

The ROG Xbox Ally has some huge competition. 👀 Unbox Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 with us 🎮 #lenovo #legiongo2 #gaminghandheld #lenovolegion #handheldgameconsole ...

Group 1: Microsoft and Xbox Developments - Microsoft has introduced its first Xbox-branded handheld gaming devices, the "ROG Xbox Ally" models, in partnership with ASUS, set to launch by the year-end holiday season [1] - The Xbox Ally handhelds are designed to allow users to access Microsoft's extensive game library anywhere, featuring elongated designs similar to Xbox controllers [1][2] - Microsoft is planning to raise the prices of its Xbox consoles on October 3, with the Xbox Series S increasing by $20, Series X by $50, and Series X 2TB by $70 [7][8] Group 2: Competitive Landscape and Market Dynamics - The announcement of Xbox handhelds follows the recent release of Nintendo's Switch 2, which is expected to achieve record early sales due to its enhanced features [2] - Sony has raised the prices of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. by approximately $50, with the PS5 Pro version expected to retail at $749.99, amid a slow recovery in the video game market [3][6] - Price hikes across major console brands, including Xbox and Sony, are occurring in response to U.S. tariffs on imports, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions and increased material costs [5][9] Group 3: Industry Growth Projections - The video game market was anticipated to grow significantly this year, driven by the launch of premium titles like "Grand Theft Auto VI" and Nintendo's Switch 2 [6][9] - However, the combination of console price increases and the delay of "GTA VI" to next year has introduced uncertainty regarding the industry's growth trajectory [6][9]

Core Insights - Microsoft's gaming division is becoming a crucial part of its overall strategy, with a 10% year-over-year revenue increase in Q4 FY25, driven by Xbox content and services which rose 13% [1][9] - Game Pass achieved nearly $5 billion in annual revenues and surpassed 500 million monthly active users, indicating the scale of the Xbox ecosystem [1][9] - The acquisition of Activision Blizzard has enhanced Microsoft's content portfolio, providing a steady stream of high-demand franchises for Game Pass [2] Revenue Growth - Blockbuster titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 attracted 50 million players and over 2 billion hours of engagement, contributing to revenue growth [2] - The gaming division is expected to see a 2.1% year-over-year revenue growth in fiscal 2026, with an acceleration to 15% in fiscal 2027 [4] Innovation and Development - Microsoft is exploring new monetization avenues, including partnerships for Xbox Cloud Gaming in vehicles and developing new hardware like the Xbox Ally handheld [3] - The company has nearly 40 new games in development, including anticipated titles such as Borderlands 4 and Dying Light: The Beast, which will support long-term engagement [3] Competitive Landscape - Microsoft faces significant competition from Sony and Nintendo, with Sony's PlayStation being the closest rival, excelling in high-fidelity gaming and innovative hardware [5] - Nintendo focuses on unique gameplay-first exclusives and hybrid portability, with the upcoming Switch 2 expected to challenge Microsoft's high-performance Xbox strategy [6] Stock Performance and Valuation - MSFT shares have appreciated 18.8% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Computer – Software industry and the broader Computer and Technology sector [7] - The current forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio for MSFT is 11.22X, compared to the industry's 8.31X, indicating a premium valuation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT's fiscal 2026 earnings is $15.35 per share, reflecting a 12.54% year-over-year growth [13]

Product & Market Focus - Microsoft and Asus are releasing Xbox Ally handheld devices, targeting handheld PC gaming [1] - The devices feature a full-screen Xbox experience to simplify Windows for gaming [1] - Xbox Ally devices are scheduled to launch on October 16th [3] Technical Specifications & Optimization - The devices boot directly into the Xbox app, offering a console-like experience [2] - Users can access Game Pass titles, Xbox cloud games, and Steam PC games [2] - Windows is optimized to save approximately 2 GB of RAM to enhance gaming performance [3] User Experience - The devices offer a handheld-friendly interface with a game bar UI [2] - Users can switch to desktop mode to install other PC launchers and apps like Discord [3]

Product Overview - Xbox is releasing two handheld gaming devices, the Xbox Ally and the more powerful Xbox Ally X [1] - The Xbox Ally runs Windows 11 and supports multiple storefronts including Xbox, Game Pass, Battlelet, and potentially Steam [2] - The devices allow users to download games, remote play from Xbox, or stream from the cloud [5] - The Xbox Ally features a dedicated Xbox button and larger contoured grips, differentiating it from the previous ROG Ally [9] Technical Specifications - The Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor, 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, weighs 670 grams, and has a 60Wh battery [10] - The Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB of RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage, weighs 715 grams, and has an 80Wh battery [10] - Both devices have a 7-inch 1080p screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate [11] User Experience - The devices boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, optimized for handheld gaming [7][8] - The Xbox Ally uses the Game Bar, similar to the Xbox app on PC, with a new command center tab for adjusting power consumption and performance [6] - The full screen experience minimizes background activity and dedicates more system resources to gameplay [8] Market Positioning - The Xbox Ally is positioned as a more open platform compared to the Nintendo Switch, similar to the Steam Deck [4] - The device offers more utility than PlayStation's Portal, which can only stream and play remotely [5]

Gaming Platforms & Services - Xbox Ally is presented as a handheld Xbox device combining Xbox power with Windows freedom, enabling access to games across various PC game stores like Xbox, Battleet, Steam, GOG, and Ubisoft Connect [1] - Xbox Play Anywhere ensures library, progression, friends, and achievements are accessible, with over 1,000 games currently supported and all new games from partners and studios included [2] Game Announcements & Updates - New games showcased will be playable on the Xbox Ally [1] - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4 is rebuilt with new parks, music, skaters, and multiplayer support for up to eight players, officially launching on July 11th [6] Game Themes & Content - Games feature diverse themes including monsters emerging from shadows [3], building and designing in Vault Life [5], and pirate adventures in the Smugglers League [7]