[Spank-A-Thon]

I read this article in January and you can find it here.

Microsoft planning handheld Xbox?

[09/01/2003: 10:39]
Bill Gates hints at pocket-sized Xbox in three years. He must be joking... right?


Microsoft boss Bill Gates has hinted that the company is looking into producing a handheld games console based on Xbox technology - but that it would take at least another three years to develop.

Speaking to news agency Reuters prior to the Consumer Electronics Show (which kicks off today in Las Vegas), he said, "It'll be several years, more like three years, before you could do something like an Xbox in a portable factor." No kidding.

No other details on a potential XBoy have been revealed. While numerous companies have released quality handhelds over the years - notably Sega's Game Gear and SNK's Neo Geo - none have been able to approach anything near the success of Nintendo's Game Boy.

As Microsoft have proved with Xbox though, they're prepared to throw enough money at projects to make them work - despite getting off to a tentative start, Xbox is now the number two selling console in the UK behind PS2.

That's the only info I have seen about a hand-held XBox.

As for the Nokia Ngage, I don't think it's going to be a handheld console in the traditional sense (i.e. GameBoy), but is being aimed as a communication device that can also play games. The very fact that it is a phone will mean that it will be many times more expensive than GameBoy and hence will not be a competitor. I simply believe Nokia are trying to set a standard for mobile communication & gaming devices.

- S