Report: M'soft working on handheld

Sources say Microsoft is working on a portable machine and iTunes-killer, but gaming implications aren't clear...yet.

Robbie Bach, who previously oversaw the Xbox division at Microsoft, is apparently working on a new project within the company, according to the New York Post and Reuters.

Bach, whose role in the game group over the past year has resulted in far less visibility, is apparently leading the charge on a portable device, say sources cited by both news outlets. However, the device may focus on music and be the mythological "iPod killer" that has been long rumored.

"It seems like an exact head-to-head competition with Apple," one source told the Post. "It's really like an Apple approach, to control the device and the whole stack of technology. This is like Xbox versus PlayStation."

The question is will it also be like the PlayStation Portable versus the DS? While the report goes into detail about a possible challenger to the digital music throne, currently held by Apple's iTunes, it doesn't mention gaming specifically, though many have predicted that Microsoft is working on a portable gaming device.

The handheld could be the first steps, though. Microsoft has insinuated that an iTunes-like digital music service would be a perfect fit for the Xbox 360, further expanding the reach of Xbox Live Marketplace. The company has also signed deals with record labels, including Warner Bros. Music and Epic Records (incidentally, part of Sony BMG), for Xbox Live Marketplace content.

With the Xbox 360 positioned as a home-entertainment hub, Microsoft could be readying a handheld that does it all--plays games, downloads music, and shows videos.

307 Comments

  • amermb

    Posted Jan 20, 2007 7:16 am PT

    I am waiting

  • mikekare79

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 11:23 am PT

    I like the idea. So many MP3 players out there already though. (So many that I won't waste my money on Apple)

  • XtremePhsyco

    Posted Jun 20, 2006 10:27 am PT

    if its like a psp but has dual analog sticks and can play halo. i am buying it no matter what

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:05 pm PT

    youngblood said "The ps1 and ps2 has sold more than x box 1 , 360 , and gamecube combined" but you are leaving out the number one seller even above your precious Fony products.. the various GameBoy iterations are the biggest seller ever. and don't let's do the whole several varioations thing, after all there was several ps systems, not just two.

  • gamerchikrpg

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 3:19 pm PT

    and nintendo ruled them all...

  • WolfSkill5544

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 2:01 pm PT

    I think for now nobody can beat iTunes; Not matter how hard they try. The only ones that can beat Apple is themselves. Many people are really used to the iPod. And if MS is really working on some handheld device. It might come out as bulky and a little big.

  • juggerrnutt

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    As long as itt has a FPS were good!

  • Smoke2Much

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:51 pm PT

    Well it's about time they did something !

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:45 pm PT

    I'm over 15 and I use a hand held, as does my wife...

  • Bloodoflamb

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:39 pm PT

    "great idea and more competition = better products and choices for us consumers.... yay! bring it on, M'Soft!"
    Wrong!

    The DS and PSP will never be HALF the system the GBA was. Why? Because software developers had ONE choice when they wanted to created a handheld videogame, and that was the Gameboy. That means they HAD to make their product a good one or it wasn't going to sell, since they were competing with all the other software developers for the users of the system.

    "if you are over the age of 15, you should not be playing a handheld....There are alot of other things in this world like women, cars, jobs, and socializing."

    Why are you on a gaming website when you think that people shouldn't be gaming if they're older than 15? Because that's what handheld gaming is. It's GAMING.

  • runstalker

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 11:34 am PT

    Despite the polarization here re: PSP, close to 14 million PSPs have sold worldwide. Can't deny that it's firmly entrenched. I think the PS3 network platform will help to breathe new life into PSP, with downloadable PS1 classics, movies, new game demos, etc. Still one of the most versatile gaming machines around, just need more proof of it. MS would be hard-pressed to compete with Apple and Sony, both culturally (perception) and in terms of design. And anything MS does will be locked into Windows Media format and tag-along DRM.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 11:32 am PT

    youngbloodzz89: You also haveno idea what you are arguing about. The DS has free online with multiplayer gaming and voice communication without having to buy an additional earpiece... yeas, that's right, it is built right into the system! can your PSP do that?

  • nramsey34

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 11:31 am PT

    So now microsoft wants to fail in the handheld arena just as Sony has. Leave the portable gaming to Nintendo. The good thing about competition is that if they are sucessful in making an "ipod killer", prices should go down for both the players and the music...hopefully. I'm extremely happy with my ipod though and consider it the only positive thing to ever come out of the Apple labs.

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 11:29 am PT

    I don't see how playing on a PSP with games that are all similarly controlled. Any 1st/3rd person shooter on PSP is ientical to the ones out on N64 way back in terms of control. PS2, PS1, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Gamecube, N64, and earlier, all of which have the exact same control scheme. The gaming community has been progressivly updating from joysticks, to d-pads, to analoge sticks, to 4 button configurations to 6 buttons configs to shoulder buttons and so on. Just because the "graphics" of the game look nicer does not make it a better game.

    I'm sorry, but the simple mini-games on mario64 for DS are more fun than 95% of the PSP games out there right now. Touch screen is not a re-hash of the old mechanics to control a game, and now that it is main stream, it has proven BY FACTS that it sells more because people find it more entertaining. Tell me why Xbox 360 and PS3 are using the same freakin controllers for their new systems? Why didn't they just make it possible to plug in the old controller in the new system to save end users some money?

    At least on the Wii coming soon, you will get to experience what it is like to have a NEW gaming experience rather than the same old controller. Anyone who like xbox or PS3 controllers are "stuck" in the past and they sit there and complain how Nintendo's games are stuck in the 80's. Perhaps your ignorance is blinding you to the eveloution of gaming. If Nintendo did what Sony and M$ did, then 25 years from now games will still be the same as they are today, but with 'nicer' graphics.

    Sho wme any system that can beat out the Wii for control on a first person shooter (with the exception of the PC)? Or do you people enjoy aimig with a slow control stick to shoot people? Why do you think Halo 2 for the PC will NOT be able to play online with xbox users? Because the PC controls are better and they would CREAM the xbox players. This would again be the case if a Wii controller was used to battle a 360 or PS3 user in a first person game.

    Without a constant evolution in controllers and graphics together, the gaming community will get bored and everyone will complain more. I can't say one game s better than the other, but I can definately say one control scheme is more user friendly and versatile than the other. I trashed my PSP a while ago, but my DS still keeps me entertained, and the more programmers get used to it, the better the games will be that come out. The End.

  • myDboys

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 10:19 am PT

    I hope thay shood make the XHD biger and beder then the PSP

  • ReyWing

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 9:56 am PT

    great idea and more competition = better products and choices for us consumers.... yay! bring it on, M'Soft!

  • LinconSixEcho

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 9:17 am PT

    If it's a MP3/MP4 video playerally give that will actually give competition to the overpriced i-pod and their bloody i-tunes then, yes, I am all for it. As for it being a game player like a DS or PSP then no. It's enough that Sony and Nintendo are battling it out in America. I enjoy M$ and the Xbox but some things should be left well enough alone.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 9:02 am PT

    if you are over the age of 15, you should not be playing a handheld....There are alot of other things in this world like women, cars, jobs, and socializing.

  • danmp18

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 7:42 am PT

    Maybe it will download games digitally through xbox live and connect to the 360 to play digital music in game on 360 games.

  • Brain-Dead360

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:58 am PT

    Dude if the new handheld will have a portable HALO (and you know it will) I'll most likely by it. I have a feeling that if Microsoft does go through with this, that they will technologicaly revolutionize the handheld market the same way they did it with the console market. You can't tell me that it would not be cool to have a handheld with XBOX quality graphics. Let's just hope that it has a sleek design from the start and they don't have to release several different versions before they get it right. (I'm talking to you Ninendo DS and Original XBOX controller)

  • sicone111

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:57 am PT

    Hopefully it has acheivements and xbox live...

  • kissfreak107

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:44 am PT

    i'm not a fan of hand held games but it would be nice if microsoft do make an handheld system that's like the psp and can be used as an extra controller for the 360 and i probaly buy 1,and as far as fanbots of either system that critisize the other systems and act like they are making money and complain that microsoft in it for the money (newsflash it's true but i guess sony's not! they are both in it for the money.like i said i'm not an fanboy and i have an xbox,360,playstation2 and i was planing on buying a ps3 until i seen the price because i'm not paying 600 plus tax on a game system.i receive 3 different game mags in the mail and they all said that the graphic are about the same they said that some games will look better on the ps3 and some will look better on the 360.sony should do what microsoft done wich is release the ps3 without blueray instead of forcing people to buy it because i was reading that the hd will probaly win the formate war because blueray is expensive to make and the pictures are the same and it would be lot cheaper to switch over to hd then blueray.like i said i'm not a fanboy i like the 360 and sony but you'll have to admit that sony has a hell of a lot of good games a lot more then the xbox have and the online servive is better because i have both of them and the xbox is a hell of a lot better so i think all of the fanboys sony and xbox need to stop talking trash and read what the programers are saying i'm not talking about sonys' are microsofts, programers i'm talking about nuetrals artical because they are all saying the systems equal out the same because one's better at one thing and the other's better at something eles but the grsphic are about the same but they said that the 360 is a lot easier to program for then the ps3t

  • skitzocyko

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:39 am PT

    Whatever HAIL THE 360!!

  • Matz

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:23 am PT

    if its like the psp dont make movies in special formats for it. that is my wish

  • carlopret

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:11 am PT

    Well, bring it on

  • miiiguel

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:10 am PT

    I have a PSP, and I think it WAS a wate of money. I have much more fun with my girlfriend's DS. PSP games are not designed to play "on the road". I only play PSP at home, and nowdays with my 360 + HDTV, I mostly forget I own that thing.

  • scruffybawls

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 6:09 am PT

    damagooon said...

    LMAO... Honestly who didnt see this coming?

    Now lets just wait til Microsoft announces a gyroscopic controller.

    So much for the MS fanboys who 'hated' these features

    dude no one wants a gyroscopic controller, its retarded, i had one for pc, theyre glitchy sonys will be glitchy, ok, its a novelty, no one uses the DS microphone,Ur ds is worth like 60 bucks, i had one, yu paid extra so yu could look at a map on a lower screen, how am i a fanboy, i have had all the things i comment on, a fanboy is someone who is only loyal to one company, i dont care about consumer loyalty.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Darius_Dante

    I got just about every single console there is (Okay, the famous ones, I don't have a Dreamcast or whatsoever...), and honestly don't care.

    No console is perfect. If it was, then wouldn't that be boring?

    OMG yu r both mildly retarded maybe the majority of people dont notice, jesus christ
    dreamcast was extremely popular the first year and a half it was out, but it didnt play dvds and Sega decided to go with more imported japanese games which disenchanted its north american audience.

    A perfect console would be boring??? wtf?! WTF!! omg wat r u talking about if it was a "perfect" mit would have good games constantly comin out for it? why do you think ps2 sold well, cuz everybody thought it was perfect

    im not a fanboy, alright jesus and wats with yall calling people who play mature games immature?i never said mature in content , i meant mature in substance. I didnt mean stomping hookers ( which theres nothing wrong with, cept for the illegal part), i was talking about storylines, and believable characters. Although if were talking about maturity, wats more mature, a 34 yr old male playing a game targeted towards 11 yr olds, or a 17 yr old male playing a game targeted towards 17 yr olds. All the good games yall anounce for the Ds are games yuv already played.

    animal crossing
    mario
    mario kart
    metroid
    zelda
    brain trainig (we)
    advance wars

    yu save a princess or play a princess , yu hop over things, in metroid yu shoot like defensless animals while exploring an alien world that youve seen before, so its not really exploring, i hate people who call other people fanboys, people who say that are usually nintendo fan boys

    im saying to me, the PSP and 360 are the clear choice, because they have more mature games, i dont care if your a 60 yr old grandma with a tumor who hates violence, or a 12 yr old who dreams of being an italian plumber alright? look on the damn news theres violence there, yu dont see immature kids watching that?theres violence everywhere so quit tryin to hide behind shigeru myamoto. by the way i dont care about microsoft or sony either but its the nintendo cultists who r so **** angry, theyre like a pack of elitists who hangout at like starbucks

    im with madonna project and that youngblood

    and im not a damn thug, i dont have to be a thug to play adult games

  • soulmanpt

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 5:51 am PT

    Spell out Microsoft in the title of this article, please. It's not like you have limited space.

  • jonnyjd

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 5:48 am PT

    I'm not looking for an iPod killer. I like my iPod. But I would definately take a look at a Microsoft handheld depending on what it's final functions would be.

  • Britesparc

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:25 am PT

    I can't see a pure MP3 player defeating iPod, due its ubiquity and the fact that MP3-playing phones are progressing in leaps and bounds (who wants to carry two music players around in your pocket?). OK, phone-players aren't perfect, but they're getting there.

    On the other hand, a chuffing great games/video player mightn't suit people as a music player either (certainly I don't know anyone with a PSP who uses it as a music player). So I think they need to focus on what they really want to do.

    I'd like to see a hard-drive equipped games/video player that allowed you to download Xbox-generation games and play them on the move, as well as full movies (all accessible via Xbox Live Marketplace, no doubt). OK, it'll play music as well, but that's not it's true function.

    As for music, I want MS to release a 360 hard drive with removable MP3 player. THAT would be cool

  • Darius_Dante

    Posted Jun 19, 2006 12:11 am PT

    *Snickers...*

    Youngbloodzz89:
    "YOU CAN ALSO PLAY YOUR GAMES ON THE PSP ONLINE, AND PLAY WITH A HEADSET TO TALK TO PEOPLE LIKE IN SOCOM , FOR FREE. CAN YOU DO THAT WITH THS DS. I THOUGHT SO. SO WHILE WE PSP OWNERS ENJOY ALL OF THIS , YALLA SIT BACK AND PLAY THAT OLD ASS MARIO GAMES ON THE DS. WHATS SO FUN ABOUT GOING THROUGH A BUNCH OF PIPES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. PSP IS THE KILLER HANDHELD PERIOD........................................."

    ......*starts laughing out loud*

    God, you fanboys really are ignorant...
    I got just about every single console there is (Okay, the famous ones, I don't have a Dreamcast or whatsoever...), and honestly don't care.
    I myself prefer my X360, but that's just because I like the games a bit better.
    But that doesn't mean I hate the other consoles. I like the Playstation as well, and of course the Gamecube. (Though waiting for a good title...)
    Other people could be like "Uhm...Halo, no thanks", I honestly couldn't give a damn.
    SO WHAT if there's another handheld, like the DS or the PSP.
    "OMG, HE HAS A DS/PSP, MUST SLAUGHTER HIM CUZ I PREFER THE OTHER ONE!"

    Uhm....yeah... It's just...What is wrong with you guys? The so-called "fanboys"? You go completely mad as soon as someone says your favorite console isn't perfect. Yeah, all consoles have their things, that make them a bit less good. SO WHAT?
    Xbox 360 has its problems with backwards compatibility, PSP's quite expensive, especially considering ya gotta buy memory sticks and extra batteries, and Nintendo has its "childish" games.

    But what's childish anyway? Just cuz' people can play it before having to be an adult, and it has bright colors, does that make it childish?
    Hell, I just bought FarCry Instincts Predator, and I'm playing Mario Power Tennis! And I'm the kinda guy who prefers action, probably shooting/explosions, or thundering down a road with 350 mph in a really cool car.

    No console is perfect. If it was, then wouldn't that be boring?
    A console that can do EVERYTHING? Sure, that's great at first, but what about a year later? You'll be like "Man...I need something new..."
    But its perfect, so there won't be anything new, right?
    C'mon people, today its consoles, tomorrow its the people who buy the consoles, the day after that we'll have people shouting and cursing at each other...
    If this keeps up, we'll get riots over consoles and games... ¬_¬

    ...Either live with the fact that consoles have their differences, or quit gaming, and go live in a tree...
    Everybody can have their opinion, but this is just ridiculous... ¬_¬

    If this keeps up, I know what the third World War will be about...
    No one ever looked at a Console War like that before...

    ~ Darius (Currently designing a tank, built out of console-parts, preparing for the end of the world!)


  • youngbloodzz89

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 11:43 pm PT

    first of all, why yalla dissing sony like that for. The DS sucks period. when the first playstation was released , everone was like '' sony cant make a system, there going to fail miserbly. Well yalla were wrong. The ps1 and ps2 has sold more than x box 1 , 360 , and gamecube combined. you all know sony is known for there games. everyones complainig ," THE PSP SUCKS DS IS BETTER". Let me ask yalla something, aren't yalla tired of playin those stupied 2d mario games. Those stuff are for kids grow up. We in 2006 not 1995 yea and as for content the psp does have a lot of content, the have a lot of movies, games, internet brower , rss, photos, music and they still got more coming. They got a GPS and text messening coming this fall. As for the games the psp got a lot alos , they got SOCOM, DAXTER, LUMMINIES ,KILLZONE COMING SOON, GTA , AND AND GTA VICE CITY STORIES COMING SOON ALSO.etc. Now what does the DS have, just games, and there the same type , Mario and methrod. YOU CAN ALSO PLAY YOUR GAMES ON THE PSP ONLINE, AND PLAY WITH A HEADSET TO TALK TO PEOPLE LIKE IN SOCOM , FOR FREE. CAN YOU DO THAT WITH THS DS. I THOUGHT SO. SO WHILE WE PSP OWNERS ENJOY ALL OF THIS , YALLA SIT BACK AND PLAY THAT OLD ASS MARIO GAMES ON THE DS. WHATS SO FUN ABOUT GOING THROUGH A BUNCH OF PIPES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. PSP IS THE KILLER HANDHELD PERIOD.........................................

  • tr00pa_26

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 11:18 pm PT

    you guys smell that??
    i smell a waste of company funds and failure

  • WestSideAzn

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 10:57 pm PT

    moocow21
    This would definately be interesting.

    Yeah, I agree. I just want to see how it would look like on the market. I really do wonder how it's going to do in the long run, and not just on its initially launch.

  • evilross

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 10:45 pm PT

    I really dont care about portable gaming, just not for me.....

    But a MS iPod device that could D/L music from a PC or from some sort of Xbox Live Music system would be really cool, you could then use it to stream music back to you 360 to play through your home system, or take it to go, for use in you car, or in the gym, or at work ect.

    Plus you can save HD space on you 360 and not have to network your PC to acess your online music library.
    This would be nice... I'd buy one if it had those features.

    As for a game player... bleh....I just dont get into the handheld games.

  • blackacidevil96

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 10:34 pm PT

    i dont care what the hell it does. multimedia is fine. the only thing that i really want them to do if this turns out as whatever it is. just give it a batterylife longer than 8hrs pls thats all i ask. like put like a nuclear reactor in it billgates got the money to make em smaller. i just dont wanna be playing or watever for 20 mintes then SH!T the battery dies thats so lame. and why do u guys care who it kills it dont matter. oh yeah no one ever though MS could even make a succesful console so think about that before knockin' it

  • ultimate_zero

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 9:31 pm PT

    I bet if they were to make this kind of system before the PSP, everybody would say...Sony is copying microsoft, but now that they're making it now, no one is saying nothing. people who do all that are just fanboys.

  • PsychoLord13

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 8:52 pm PT

    Oh God, all you fanboys can go [This portion of this comment edited out as to comply with Gamespot's TOU no swearing policy]. What is your problems. How did this comment board end up being a PSP vs. DS conversation. Wasn't this supposed to be about MS system? I own most systems, though I so far tend to prefer MS. I like both my PSP and DS. Right now, I am really addicted to the Brain Training games, Resident Evil, and New SMB (especially Multiplayer), but I like my PSP games too. I am 14, but I am allowed to play M-rated games, but why is it that all you adults always want the "Mature" games and frown on "Childish" games? I like blood and violence in my games too (by the way, I am in no way a violent person), but the most important thing is the gameplay. Are you all still trying to prove something to yourselves by playing Violent games? If you want to prove your "Manliness", try not attempting to prove your "Manliness", as trying to prove it by worrying more about what's Mature and what's Childish over what's fun to play only proves that you are Immature. Kingdom Hearts and Resident Evil are both fun, so stop worrying about content. Anyway, I think that MS system should be a PSP type system, but it should have a second analog stick, a streamlined service to get stuff on it, and be an open programming platform where homebrews and emulators are embraced rather than scorned and blocked. That's just my take on the matter though, take it or leave it.

  • rynmls

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 8:38 pm PT

    sounds good, more competitor the greater competition...

  • rbarahona

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 8:28 pm PT

    Apple and it's iPod has had a huge success and it will be difficult for any company to threat the empire Apple has built. However, if Microsoft could manage to make a portable device that not only could play audio or video, but also games (like the PSP) and get great support from their marketing department, then Apple, Nintendo and Sony should start worrying.

    It would be interesting how this device ends up being and what the other parties implicated will preparte to counter this launch.

  • JaMeS4418

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:44 pm PT

    Msoft is gonna make a psp rip off thing or like what wilkinsg said.

  • ironman288

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:42 pm PT

    I hope MS isn't dumb enough to challenge Nintendo in the portable gaming market....They just wont have a chance if they come out that late.

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:35 pm PT

    I'd be up for another handheld - an iPod-tyupe device that has more gaming possibilities would be perfect with me.

  • james643

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 7:33 pm PT

    im sure that there might be something like a virtual reality system that may be considered as a console but at this point in time i think that consoles like the ps3 and xbox360 have reached the limits of that type of console, i mean all they do is just sit on the floor or on a shelf wasting space, not to mention the cost it is to fill that space up with one of the consoles.
    there may be a nother system after ps3 (like 5-10 years after) like a virtual reality system or handheld device that is capable to play games but it isnt realy a console its just a multimedia device.

  • GTAPro91

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 6:51 pm PT

    dergy
    "meh, i dont play handhelds. only people who are 13 and younger or want to be 13 and younger play handhelds."

    or people who want to play games without being at home? nice one genius

  • Emosupside

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    I think it would be pretty cool if they came out with a microsoft handheld. I most likely wouldnt buy because I just wouldnt use a handheld. The only one I ever owned was the sega gamegear. I think it would give gamers just another option to the DS , and PSP. Why not have other choices ? Im excited to see how it would do in the market and to find out what it will actually do.

  • highflyer800

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 5:07 pm PT

    yawn another handheld which will fail just the same way as the psp did. I mean don't get me wrong I think the psp is loads better then the DS but it could never get anywhere as no one really wanted to spend £200 on a handheld and I can see this being alot more then £200 . save your money and just get a new console like Wii or ps3 when it comes out .

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 5:00 pm PT

    well if Microsoft does it right they could have a good system in there hands

  • axia_777

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 4:40 pm PT

    ITunes killer? HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That is funny.

    Handheld? I gues you can give i the old college try. But if you top the PSP is si going to cost a crap load of cash. And Microsoft cant touch Nintendo at all. Sony cant, so what makes Microsoft thinks it can?

  • drksamus101

    Posted Jun 18, 2006 4:19 pm PT

    Even though portable Halo wasn't mentioned
    It would still be suhweet

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