Microsoft has confirmed release date and availability details for the ROG Xbox Ally X, its upcoming gaming handheld made by Asus, but notably held off on confirming how much the device will cost.
It will parallel the push to Windows365 in the enterprise space. Thinking in terms of hardware only misses the internal goal at Microsoft of locking everyone in to Azure hosted services where they have unlimited access to your data for CoPilot training.
THAT is their strategy. TPM requirements, kernel locking and secure boot are baby steps to the end goal. It’s not about Xbox, it’s about training data for their GenAI platforms.
Additionally, their Prism Emulation Engine is running Xbox games natively on ARM hardware as of a few days ago (insider preview users at least)
That emulation engine just runs Windows games, not Xbox games.
I think you’re right in that they highly prioritize cloud data and subscriptions, but that’s where the Game Pass road leads. Native apps on a subscription service now, bets all hedged for a possible all-cloud semi-distant future.
It will parallel the push to Windows365 in the enterprise space. Thinking in terms of hardware only misses the internal goal at Microsoft of locking everyone in to Azure hosted services where they have unlimited access to your data for CoPilot training.
THAT is their strategy. TPM requirements, kernel locking and secure boot are baby steps to the end goal. It’s not about Xbox, it’s about training data for their GenAI platforms.
Additionally, their Prism Emulation Engine is running Xbox games natively on ARM hardware as of a few days ago (insider preview users at least)
That emulation engine just runs Windows games, not Xbox games.
I think you’re right in that they highly prioritize cloud data and subscriptions, but that’s where the Game Pass road leads. Native apps on a subscription service now, bets all hedged for a possible all-cloud semi-distant future.