Microsoft May Unveil Gaming Zune at CES
A while ago we wrote a speculative article about the possibility of a Microsoft handheld gaming device. Today, some juicy rumors have surfaced suggesting that such a gadget might not be far off. Financial analyst Trip Chowdhry from Global Equities suggests that Microsoft is readying a prototype with iPhone-like specifications. Citing unnamed sources within the company, Chowdhry said that the smart phone/multimedia/gaming device would feature a sliding keyboard and an accelerometer.
Most interesting is the recent news that Nvidia has been contracted to produce 3D acceleration chips for a new Microsoft handheld device. Apparently the new Nvidia Tegra chip will be used in this phone/gaming hybrid.
The Redmond company has already publicly stated that it has plans to enter the mobile gaming space. Microsoft’s Live Anywhere initiative seeks to unite the Xbox 360, PC and Zune mobile platforms within the Xbox Live brand. A handheld device capable of playing Live Arcade titles and linking up with other online services would be in line with these plans.
If the rumors prove correct, then Sony, Nintendo and Apple will soon have a new competitor in the mobile gaming space. Without official confirmation from the company, we will have to wait until CES kicks off in January to find out more about Microsoft’s handheld gaming plans.
Posted in Game Culture, Industry News |
December 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Sony and Nintendo have already sold millions of handheld game systems. I’m not sure that Microsoft will be able to directly compete with them.
December 10th, 2008 at 11:58 am
i just hope that its not going to be for at&t if its for tmobile it will sell more units
December 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
@Blizz Apple has already sold millions of iPods and look at how the Zune caught up with them.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
If MS brings out a Zune media player which plays 360 games (or current gen games) it would cripple Sony and shake up Nintendo a bit.
If MS brings our a Zune media player that plays less than current gen games it won’t matter much to Sony or Nintendo.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
…but if Nintendo and Apple ever produce a joint venture in technology and entertainment MS and Sony are screwed.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Microsoft’s Zune is a freaking joke! The original Xbox was a freaking joke and the Xbox 360 is a joke, Microsoft have lost BILLIONS of dollars on their failed (EPIC fail) ventures into the gaming industry, if they built a portable device it would, for sure, be a joke as well.
If Microsoft are looking to release this “Gaming” (LOL) machine next year they’ll be launching into a market already dominated by much (MUCH) better products. Are Microsoft trying to financially cripple themselves??? They could at least have the common sense to wait for the next - generation of handheld devices before they lose MORE money on ANOTHER garbage console.
If the Zune media player plays 360 games (Highly unlikely) then it WILL cripple itself. The Xbox 360 has barely a decent exclusive out and it doesn’t have ANY GAMES scheduled for next year. Why would they launch a product that has no games?
Nintendo are dominating the handheld sector and i can’t see that changing anytime soon (Especially not at the hands of a portable RROD machine). Sony have turned a profit on the PSP but their product was completely destroyed by the DS. If Microsoft release a Zune gaming device they will become the laughing stock of the handheld gaming sector (Thus, completing the double - header of home and handheld consoles).
Now personally, i don’t have any problem with Microsoft doing this. I love watching a company who thinks they can just “Buy” their way into the gaming industry without earning the consumers respect fail miserably time after time after time. However, if i worked at Microsoft (Which i clearly don’t), i would think it would be in the companys best interests to just quit the game business while they still have any money left………..
January 12th, 2009 at 12:50 am
My money is on, february at the 3GSM M$ will unveil a hand held console with an Nvidia chip called the “Tegra.” It will be a new Zune with mobile phone capability and Verizion will provide the service.
soon after Xbox will release a NXE dashboard update with zune market place.