Xbox Ally coverage

Microsoft blends Windows and Xbox in a handheld device that hints at a shared OS future for gaming across consoles, PCs and handhelds

Xbox Ally marks a first step toward a Windows gaming OS

The Verge describes Microsoft and Asus working on the Xbox Ally handhelds that run Windows 11 behind a full screen Xbox interface. The setup hides the Windows desktop and keeps players inside a console like experience using the Game Bar. The Windows shell is trimmed to reduce drag, saving about 2GB of RAM by not loading the Explorer shell. The handheld can still access Windows apps via the Xbox app when needed.

Switching between Xbox mode and the Windows desktop is possible, and Valve libraries can appear in the Xbox app so you can play Steam titles on the device. Early demos surface bugs and the team says fixes are coming before shipping on October 16. The project signals a broader plan to place Windows at the core of future Xbox hardware, while questions remain about standby behavior, updates, and how intrusions from Windows might affect immersion.

Microsoft tests a shared OS approach that could unify gaming on handhelds and consoles. The risk is Windows depth leaking into the handheld space and interrupting the game flow with updates or notifications.
The plan offers potential for developers and players to access PC libraries from a portable shell. The challenge is maintaining energy efficiency and a smooth standby resume, while keeping the handheld experience focused on play.

Highlights

The project hints at a shared gaming future built on Windows and Xbox