 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 | June 20, 2009, 4:28 PM by GripperWell Microsoft has now officially confirmed that the Nvidia Tegra chip is inside the upcoming Zune HD:
There's been a lot of chatter about us possibly putting the Nvidia Tegra chip in the Zune HD," Matt Akers, software development engineer in test at Microsoft, said in a June 19 podcast. "Well, we're going to go ahead and confirm that. Yes, the Zune HD does have the Tegra chip in it."
He added: "So much better battery life, graphics acceleration. This thing's like a mini laptop in your hand."
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10269713-64.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0 So now the next question is, what are they going to do with this powerful graphics chip in Zune HD, outside of what the previous Zune's could do, apart from web browsing? To me the biggest disappointment at E3 was the non announcement of any XBOX Live Arcade games linkage to the new Zune HD's. Sure they announced the 1080P instant on HD streaming movies for the 360, which came from Zune movies, but then I am not sure how many people would want to watch movies on tiny screens. If they really want to compete with the iPod touch/Appstore, they gotta tap the great games etc on XBOX LIve, especially since going by Steve's first post in this thread, the XNA Framework already allows for managed code to run on multiple platforms. | June 20, 2009, 6:38 PM by chairmansteve to Gripper
non announcement of any XBOX Live Arcade games linkage to the new Zune HD
How would Live Arcade games be played without an Xbox 360 controller? We may see an app store (Zune Apps? Zapps?) for software designed for Zune HD and Pink phones. If xYz is another product, it may have an Xbox-like gaming interface. The CompetitionZune HD - iPod Touch Pink Phones - iPhone xYz - PSP/DSi
how many people would want to watch movies on tiny screens
HDMI out to a TV when at home. Use the tiny screen when mobile. | July 15, 2009, 6:02 AM by CaptainScarlet
How many movies can be storage in a Zune HD? | July 21, 2009, 6:55 AM by chairmansteveCould it be xYz?
Kikizo: The mobile space is really interesting at the moment. ...do you think there's room further down the line for it to fit with the Xbox brand?
Shane Kim: ...we're building a service in Live that will... will extend to other platforms. No question about it. So the question will be, how do we enter into that market - do we do our own device, do we create our own phone - that's a question for the company itself - do we continue to go down the Windows Mobile path, which is that path that we're on today
http://games.kikizo.com/features/shane-kim-interview-july2009-p3.asp | September 16, 2009, 5:43 PM by Gripper
Well, so now we know that the Zune HD is going to have some 3D games..starting in November with Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition, Vans Sk8: Pool Service and Audiosurf Tilt.
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25278
Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions to support Zune HD:
"We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of XNA Game Studio 3.1 Zune Extensions to support Zune HD. This add-on for XNA Game Studio 3.1 adds the following functionality to the product: the ability to target and develop for the Zune HD media player; the addition of new Touch APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD; the addition of new Accelerometer APIs to the XNA Framework for use on the Zune HD,”
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Zune-HD-XNA-Game-Studio-3-1-Extensions-Available-121823.shtml
Meanwhile, the Zune HD is not looking too bad on Amazon in a head to head battle with the new iPod touch..for now anyway. Let's see if it holds up.
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq211/step_lively/ZuneHDAmazontosellers.png | |
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