MS to Announce Handheld Soon
It appears that Microsoft will announce a new handheld this week. The real question is how much of a part gaming will play in it.
Speculation flared up earlier this year when a report suggested Microsoft was working on a handheld that, if not entirely focussed on games, would at least include games as part of its functionality. Fuel was added to that particular fire recently with the uncovering of a concept video showing off what the portable would be capable of.
Far from simply trying to outdo the PSP or the iPod, the device, currently code-named Origami, looks to be a tablet-style, mini-notebook PC.
A concept video shows people listening to music, editing images, going online and controlling a media centre. So far, so good. But the part that's really getting people talking is footage of what appears to be Halo playing on the device. (It's worth noting that Halo is also out for PC.)
Microsoft confirmed to GameSpot that while the video circulating on the Internet is real, it is about a year old and is made up of concept footage meant to give an idea of what would be possible.
Adding to the hype, a teaser site, Origami Project, popped up recently. According to the site, an announcement of some sort is coming this Thursday, 2 March. No one who knows is talking about what that something is, but it's sure to keep everyone guessing until then.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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