Handheld Xbox created by Microsoft after update turns Surface Duo smartphone into portable console

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MICROSOFT has unveiled the world’s first handheld Xbox.

Following a software update yesterday, users of the US firm’s Surface Duo smartphone can turn the device into a portable gaming console.

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Users of Microsoft’s Surface Duo phone can now turn it into a portable Xbox

The bottom half of the dual-display, foldable gadget becomes a virtual gamepad, while the top half shows gameplay, The Verge reports.

It leaves the gadget looking more like a Nintendo 3DS than a mobile phone, with touch controls for a range of games.

More than 50 titles are available to play on the new system, including Gears 5, Minecraft Dungeons and Sea of Thieves.

Accessing them requires a £10.99/$14.99 a month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The Surface Duo has two touch screens that can perform different tasks simultaneously, for instance acting as a keyboard coupled with a display, like a laptop

Game Pass has been described as “Netflix for games”, giving you access to dozens of titles that you can stream to your device over the internet.

To try out the new portable Xbox, you’ll need a Surface Duo (obviously) as well as the latest version of the Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) app.

The update to the Android app was rolled out to Surface Duo devices on Monday, Microsoft’s Panos Panay said.

“Working with Xbox, we’ve put touch controls on to the second screen,” the company’s Chief Product Officer tweeted.

“More than 50 games are available to play with touch for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Members.”

The updated app is available now in Google Play Store.

Microsoft’s launched its foldable Android phone with two screens in February for an eye-watering £1,349.

Its two “paper-thin” 5.6in displays can be used individually, or unfolded into a single 8.1in display.

Microsoft’s launched its foldable Android phone with two screens in February

The firm reckons the two screens let users do more at once.

This could mean having two apps open at the same time and dragging content between them, such as photos, text or files. Or perhaps watching Netflix while tapping out an email.

Microsoft’s Surface range had previously comprised laptops and tablets.

The Surface Duo is a new arrival in the emerging category of foldable phones, taking on the likes of Samsung, Motorola and Huawei.

All three of those tech giants have released devices featuring flexible screens in the past year.

 

In other news, HOAR’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.

Check out the wildly impressive Panasonic 65HZ1000 TV, which makes most tellies look rubbish.

And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.

What do you make of the handheld Xbox? Let us know in the comments!

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/technology/ps5-shortage-to-last-until-2022-as-stock-crisis-due-to-global-chip-shortage-continues-expert-claims/