Rumors: Meet the ZuneX, Microsoft's Handheld

[Virgil]

did anyone noticed that in the pic the cross pad is identical to the PS pad?

Yes, and I strongly doubt this is real. Not the idea of MS making some sort of handheld with gaming capabilities, because that is undoubtedly true, but every detail here just doesn't make sense.

Here's a couple reasons:

[ol]
[li]The 'Zune' doesn't have the standard Zune-pad/squircle style D-pad[/li]
[li]The D-pad shown is exactly the style of the Playstation controller[/li]
[li]MS would never advertise compatibility with an as-yet-imaginary service by a third party[/li]
[li]For compatibility with XBLA and Xbox Originals, the device would need thumbsticks, triggers, and additional buttons.[/li]
[li]Microsoft would not release a new class of device by mashing together two of their logos.[/li]
[/ol]

There are other reasons, but when we see mobile gaming from Microsoft, it will not be like this. More likely, their first steps into mobile gaming will be by updating both Windows Mobile and the Zune platforms to run XNA games, and providing a digital download marketplace for them.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Interesting factoid for you: A few years back, I was part of a survey group that was regularly asked opinions on various theoretical gaming products. How much would you pay for this, etc. One of the products in question was a Microsoft handheld. What would be the most important features we'd want to see? What would be a deal breaker? And so forth.

Me personally, I like my Zune just the way it is, as a media player with some limited gaming abilities. Not saying this wouldn't be a fine product -- though I have my doubts -- but I certainly won't be trading my Zune in for it.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

not gonna work and it looks like the last gameboy what was it called? Micro?

 

[Flunk]

Sounds like a good product, it's a shame that you're suggesting they call in the "Zune X" after a product no one likes. "Xbox Mini" or "Xbox Go" or "Pocket Box" or "pBox" or something to that effect would be more sensible.

 

[mikecoulter]

This, would, be, awesome. I'd only have it with an analogue though....

 

[Jumplion]

Bah, looks like crap, but I guess that's just my Microsoft bias kicking in

 

[zoozilla]

Some people claim that it's a photoshop job, and when you consider the fact that it does look like someone stuck a Sony D-pad in a rotated Zune, it seems pretty plausible.

I would take this with a grain of salt.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Looks dumb

 

[joystickjunki3]

This would certainly make me reconsider buying a DSi or a "PSP Go!" (or whatever it's called).

Although, seriously it would really only make me reconsider the DSi because I don't think I'm going to buy the PSP Go!

EDIT: I think that it might be a hoax considering the lack of creativity in the ZuneX's design. If it is real, I'd like them to redesign it, but keep the supposed specs.

 

[Moormur]

Yeah...as a Zune user (I absolutely love my Zune) I can tell ya that there have been thousands of photoshoped dreams that people have put out there. Until something is confirmed, this is just another one to add to the list...

 

[Jsnoopy]

Hmmmmm. I might buy this game IF and ONLY IF microsoft lets me transfer arcade games that i've ALREADY PURCHASED on my xbox account to the zune x. That would be kickass. But if they try and make pay twice for the same game, thats a big no-no.

 

[Jumplion]

Bah, looks like crap, but I guess that's just my Microsoft bias kicking in

You know what, I'll change my mind on this.

Show me the games for it, then I might consider purchasing a "Zune X" or whatever it's called. If it's real of course. And that's a BIIIIGG might.

 

[Pendragon9]

Yes because the Handheld market isn't allready a clusterfuck.

You won't beat KingPin Nintendo, and you wont get the 50 million sales the PSP did if you aren't open for Homebrew. so really your opening up a hole in your wallet for your money to flow through.

I second this.

If Microsoft doesn't have over 50 games exclusive to this Zune by the second they open this to the public, it won't sell a single penny. being able to play XBL games won't save it since you can play it on your 360 without paying for a handheld.

It's like the PSP. If it only had ten games at startup, it would've never had over a million sales. But they had alot more games on the way, and that's what saved it.

 

[The Grim Ace]

It may be able to make a grilled cheese but until it can dispense an ice cold mountain dew slurpee I won't be impressed.