According two separate reports by Windows Central and The Verge, Xbox is teaming up with an OEM to produce a portable PC gaming machine.
Project Kennan, as it’s internally referred to, is more of an Xbox-branded handheld PC. A source from Windows Central’s report says that Asus will be this OEM partner, and it will “blend Asus’ stylings with updated design conventions more typical of an ‘Xbox’ style device, with more prominent grips and a dedicated Xbox guide-style button.”
In other words, it’s likely Project Kennan is an Xbox-branded ROG Ally.
Since it’s a PC rather than a native Xbox, don’t expect Project Kennan to run Xbox games. However, like any PC, your library of Xbox games that support Play Anywhere (which means if you purchase it, it includes a digital copy for Xbox consoles and PC) can be played. And unlike Steam Deck that runs on SteamOS, this is likely running on Windows so you have access to games on other launchers including Steam, Epic Games Store and the like.
The report of an Xbox handheld not being able to run Xbox games has caused some confusion, with folks chiming in on how absurd that an Xbox device can’t run Xbox games. Just goes to show how Xbox’s branding is a mess.
That said, it’s likely why there are rumours of two different portable Xboxes in the works, including one being created in-house by Microsoft. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has been hinting at being in the works.
The Windows Central report explained that due to licensing agreement terms, Microsoft needs to create a native Xbox device in order to play these native Xbox games. So a what is more-or-less a Windows PC with an Xbox logo on it, which Project Kennan sounds like from the reports, can’t run native Xbox games as a result.
That other Xbox portable, a properly native portable Xbox that can actually run Xbox console games, which Windows Central believes is still in the works, are what most fans are expected out of Project Kennan, which it isn’t.
Microsoft has been branding all of its gaming efforts on Windows under the Xbox brand, and has been pushing the message that just about anything can be an Xbox (as Xbox is not just a console, but rather an ecosystem comprised of first-party and third-party devices), to mixed results.