 Xbox Portable Specs for 2009
Published: March 20, 2006, 12:23 PM CST
By chairmansteve
There are some solid rumors of an Xbox handheld game system in development.
What kind of hardware specs would it include? Microsoft could either squeeze the Xbox 360 hardware down into portable size or base the handheld on a new design. Full Xbox 360 hardware is many years away (~2015) from working affordably and with decent battery life in a handheld size. To have Xbox Portable release sooner (2008/2009), the CPU would likely be based on new architecture (e.g. Transmeta, ARM). ATI would be my first guess for the GPU, but PowerVR is also possible.
I doubt that it would have an optical drive (DVD), as that adds unnecessary size and drains battery. Music, movies, and games should be downloaded to the internal storage (or memory cards). In other words, you'd be able to play games downloaded from Xbox Live Arcade/Marketplace. Game distribution on carts like DS is possible, but I'm leaning towards online distribution only.
I like the idea of running the same games (Live Arcade) on the home console (360) and the handheld (Xbox Portable). That's similar in ways to playing the same games on a desktop PC and a notebook PC, watching the same DVD movies on a home player and a portable player, or listening to the same music on a home stereo and a portable MP3 player.
For Live Arcade on the go, does Microsoft have to squeeze the full Xbox 360 specs into the handheld? Could there be another solution?
Known: Live Arcade games must currently fit within 50MB storage.
Known: XNA Framework allows managed code to run on multiple platforms.
Rumor: Original Xbox games will be downloadable from Live.
Likely: Xbox Portable will have low-resolution display, maybe 640x360.
Likely: Multiple versions (ports) of the same game could be on Live servers.
What does that tell us?
Live Arcade games are small, so downloading won't be a problem. A gaming handheld in the next few years with screen size around 4-5 inches won't need 1280x720 (720p) resolution. Via managed code and/or ports, the same games could be playable on a Windows PC, Xbox 360, Xbox Portable, and devices (e.g. cell phones) running Windows Mobile.
Now it's time to put together some estimated specs for the Xbox handheld. One CPU core is enough. Main RAM size can be as low as 64MB, but 128-256MB should be doable. The GPU should be designed for low-resolution pixel rendering.
Estimated Specs
ARM CPU at 600-900MHz
ATI GPU at 200-300MHz
128MB 300-600MHz DDR2 RAM
Internal Storage (8-16GB Flash or 40-120GB HDD)
3.5-4.5" Widescreen 16:9 Display (480x270 or 640x360)
Directional Control, Buttons
WiFi (LAN) and WiMAX (WAN)
Those specs may be possible in 2008 or 2009. | | | Comments | February 12, 2008, 4:59 PM by chairmansteve to Airzonk
Microsoft would likely target people who buy devices like iPod Touch, iPhone, and smartphones. The device should be suitable for music, video, games, communication, and social networking. The competition is Apple and Google Android. MS just acquired Danger, maker of Sidekick.
http://www.danger.com
http://www.sidekick.com
Put Zune, Sidekick, and Xbox in a pot. Stir until blended completely. Serve while hot. | February 12, 2008, 5:49 PM by mizzle to chairmansteve
That sounds eerily familar. Oh yeah, Sony said stuff like that just before they were violently outsold by everything PSP was supposed to kill. Targeting solely on niche markets is a good way to end up like, well, Zune. Has it taken second place yet? Should probably start with that before they start adding unnecessary shit that will just make it more expensive. | February 12, 2008, 6:52 PM by chairmansteve to mizzle
Apple, Google, Nokia/Symbian, and Microsoft are scrambling to grab a piece of the niche market called mobile phones. Eventually all mobile phones will be smartphones. Maybe that's within 10 years.
Smartphones 10 years from now may be as powerful as today's PCs. | February 12, 2008, 7:45 PM by ziggy
Its wierd how PCs have digitised and consequently taken the role of all other devices wheras smart phones are aiming squarley at PCs. The N96 is 500Mhz, 384MB ram adn 24GB HDD. That outspecs my PC from 2001! My 2yr old N73 already runs MS Word, Excel and the internet.
Nokia have 40% of the worldwide mobile market (with almost 100% of the smarphone market). I think if MS wanted to launch a smartphone/Xbox is would have to really be something. Now that Ngage is no longer handset bound, that would me it even harder for MS to break into the phone/handheld market. | February 12, 2008, 8:36 PM by chairmansteve to ziggy
A two-pronged attack could be like Xbox (Console) and Windows (PC). One is MS hardware and optimized for entertainment, while the other is open to many OEMs and suitable for a business environment.
1. Microsoft brand device (e.g. Zune, Xbox)
2. Smartphones with Windows Mobile | February 13, 2008, 9:32 AM by nenroth
What will happen when the Gameboy Evolution will be released? It's a tough competition. | February 14, 2008, 6:48 PM by CaptainScarlet
Please M$ if you create this ZuBoX-Kick remember that we want a portable that reads and play every format available. | December 11, 2008, 7:25 PM by chairmansteve
Heard the latest gossip? In Q2 2009, Microsoft will unveil a Zune with touch screen and NVIDIA Tegra APX 2500. This thing could use Netflix, HDMI, Wi-Fi, and small downloadable games. Give it Avatars from the NXE too. | April 16, 2009, 9:39 AM by chairmansteve
Zune HD
16:9 OLED Touch Screen
NVIDIA Tegra (ARM CPU + GeForce GPU)
16GB and 32GB Flash
Wi-Fi, HDMI
Web Browser
Xbox Games
http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=4120
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/10/is-this-the-zune-hd/
I'm thinking 640 x 360 for the screen. That's perfect for downscaled 1280 x 720. | April 16, 2009, 10:03 AM by Suckattack to chairmansteve
I might finally give in and buy one of those new Zune HDs. We'll see how the prices compare with Apple along with the apps available for developers and consumers. | May 15, 2009, 12:27 PM by chairmansteve
Things are getting interesting. According to leaks and rumors, looks like Microsoft may have a three-headed monster to attack the handheld sector.
1. Pink (Windows Mobile third party phones)
2. Zune HD
3. xYz (Half Xbox + Half Zune)
- NVIDIA Tegra (ARM11 600MHz + GeForce)
- 256MB RAM
- 16:9 Touch Display
- Accelerometer
- Internal Flash Memory
- Digital Camera
- USB, Wi-Fi
- HDMI Output (720p)
- NXE GUI
- Live Services (Arcade, Video Marketplace, Search, Messenger, etc.)
xYz (not the final name) might just be Zune HD, or it just might share similar specs but also include a gaming interface like the Xbox controller (i.e. sticks and buttons). xYz could be the Xbox Portable. | May 15, 2009, 2:11 PM by alterego to chairmansteve
My money would be on the rumored xYz to be the same thing as the rumored Zune HD. | May 15, 2009, 4:08 PM by Gripper to chairmansteve
This could be what J. Allard has been working on for the past couple of years. We haven't really heard much from that guy for a quite a bit of time.
On another note, if xYz is using an Nvidia graphics chip, and has 256MB of RAM(half the RAM of the 360), it could also run most original XBOX games (Nvidia graphics chip, 64MB RAM), with just a bit of tweaking. | May 15, 2009, 4:37 PM by chairmansteve to Gripper
The power is there (CPU, GPU, RAM) to handle ports of original Xbox games. But it also needs the interface. Xbox games use dual analog sticks, d-pad, and many buttons. Support for Xbox 360 wireless controllers would be nice when using xYz or Zune HD on a TV. | June 18, 2009, 6:05 AM by Gripper
It appears the Nvidia Tegra chip in the Zune HD rumour has been kinda confirmed..with a new, more persistent, latest rumour :)
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Nvidia-Tegra-Zune-HD-Microsoft,8086.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10266779-64.html?tag=mncol;posts | |
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