
Microsoft Introduces AMD Ryzen-Powered Xbox Ally Gaming Handhelds
Microsoft has unveiled the latest addition to its gaming lineup: the Xbox Ally gaming handhelds, powered by AMD Ryzen processors. These innovative devices come equipped with a specially optimized version of Windows 11, promising enhanced performance tailored specifically for gaming.
Optimized Windows 11 Experience
According to Jason Beaumont, Vice President of Experiences at Xbox, the Xbox Ally consoles operate on a bloat-free variant of Windows 11. Beaumont explained the collaborative effort of the Xbox OS team, stating:
“We were able to take people who have been working on the Xbox OS for 20 years or more and have them work directly on the Windows codebase and start reimagining what that operating system looks like for this form factor. When the player boots into the full-screen experience, there is a whole bunch of Windows stuff that doesn’t get loaded. We’re not loading the desktop wallpaper, the taskbar, or a bunch of processes that are really designed around productivity scenarios for Windows.”
Streamlined User Experience
Roanne Sones, Corporate Vice President of Gaming Devices and Ecosystem at Xbox, emphasized their commitment to an uninterrupted gaming experience by stating:
“We’ve reduced many notifications and pop-ups, and we will continue to listen to feedback from players to make continued improvements.”
Memory Optimization Insights
The handheld’s memory management has also seen substantial enhancements. Brianna Potvin, Principal Software Engineering Lead at Xbox, shared insights on memory optimizations:
“This isn’t surface-level changes; we’ve made significant improvements. Some of our early testing with the components we’ve turned off in Windows, we get about 2GB of memory going back to the games while running in the full-screen experience.”
Furthermore, Potvin noted that the Xbox Ally devices exhibit impressive energy efficiency. When the device enters sleep mode after booting into the full-screen interface, it consumes only one-third of the power typically required by the Windows desktop experience.
Conclusion
The launch of the AMD Ryzen-powered Xbox Ally gaming handhelds represents a significant advancement in mobile gaming technology. With tailored optimizations to Windows 11 and a clear focus on enhancing the user experience, Microsoft is poised to reshape the handheld gaming market.
For further details, refer to the original article on The Verge.
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