If recent leaks by trusted tipsters like Jez Corden (Windows Central Managing Editor) are to be believed, then we should see an Xbox handheld gaming console launch in 2026. Insiders have already hinted that the handheld prototype is already in the development stage and Microsoft plans to reveal some details next year or even earlier.
Interestingly, Microsoft recently sent out a survey about the current usage of handheld gaming devices and whether interested candidates are willing to buy one in the next five years. Also, the survey was keen on knowing whether candidates would prefer the ability to stream games via Xbox Game Pass. So, are we finally looking at a Microsoft handheld gaming device that could dethrone Nintendo Switch, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Steam Deck from the top spots in market share?
Investing years of R&D in developing gaming consoles is a winning formula for Xbox, Sony and even Nintendo. This applies to handhelds too as manufacturers release gaming devices only after a gap of a couple of years or even more. This concept for an Xbox handheld has a great form factor that Microsoft would be keenly observing for its form factor and functionality. Called the Xbox Half, this portable gaming device stands out from the rest when it comes to ergonomics and function. Just like the PSP, this one is good for gaming, consuming multimedia content, and listening to music.
With a retracting beacon of joystick and buttons on both sides, in full-width configuration, the gadget measures 11.30 inches for gaming and a compact mode that conceals them for an 8-inch form factor. This makes the Xbox handheld comfortable and convenient to use. The back panel keeps the brand identity alive as you pull the beacons out the X logo appears. Pretty cool isn’t it? To give distinction to the handheld from the Xbox game console, the buttons and joystick have a muted color hue in black.
Other input buttons including the power button, brightness controller, volume buttons, and the USB Type-C connector and the game slot card lie on the front and rear sides. A lot of thought has been put into conceptualizing the Xbox Half and we are looking forward to seeing what the real thing will look like when finally revealed.
Retro gaming consoles and computers are still going strong, with many designs still left to be revived, resized, and retrofitted for modern times. Most of these products try to recreate the experience of those original machines, at least with the games they used to run on very limited hardware. That said, you can only go so far trying to recreate the past. Sooner or later, you will hit a wall, as demonstrated by the limited number of titles supported by many of these retro consoles. This reinterpretation of a Game Boy classic design, however, isn’t exactly a simple copy of the clamshell handheld. Instead, it takes the same spirit of portable adventure that the Game Boy Advance SP embodied and wraps it in a body that’s well-suited for modern gaming styles.
It’s honestly a bit of a gray legal area whenever third-party brands try to embrace a design so close to something from the annals of video gaming history. That hasn’t stopped the likes of Anbernic from taking obvious inspiration from those bygone designs but with enough modifications to skirt infringement accusations. Of course, Anbernic has its own original designs, but the ones that really grab your attention are those that pay homage to icons like the Nintendo Game Boy.
With the uninspiring name of Anbernic RG35XXSP, the prolific gaming handheld manufacturer is bringing the Game Boy Advance SP back to life, or at least the pocket-sized clamshell design that made it quite a hit. It’s just as blocky and thick as the original, but that’s also part of the device’s charm. For better or worse, however, that’s where the similarities end to the point that you can even say that the RG35XXSP was simply “inspired” by Nintendo’s handheld.
Deep inside, it uses the same guts as all the other iterations of the RG35XX, which means that it’s practically a mini computer that runs the Linux operating system. Specifically, it uses an emulation platform that can support a whole plethora of games from the likes of the Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1, PlayStation Portable, or even MS-DOS. And, yes, it can probably run Game Boy games as well, though you’re left to your own devices on how to make all these work.
What’s more important, however, is that the RG35XXSP doesn’t use the limited controls of the Game Boy Advance SP. Instead, it has enough buttons to support all those gaming platforms, though don’t expect any analog joystick here. The pocketable gaming handheld is also described to be equipped with modern technologies, like Wi-Fi and 5G for local multiplayer gaming, HDMI for TV output, and support for Bluetooth peripherals like controllers, keyboards, and mice. Shown off in four designs that give tribute to those consoles and handhelds of the past, launch details for the Anbernic RG35XXSP are unfortunately still unavailable at this moment.
Alex T has lately broken every record possible for the Tetris game and the cult classic is again in the trends. Perhaps the perfect time for the Slurpee Handheld Gaming Device to make an appearance. This limited-edition merchandise from convenience store 7-Eleven is designed in collaboration with Tetris. Along with this, the duo has created other products too for gamers who love retro stuff.
Limited to just 20,000 units, the unique handheld device has the shape of a Slurpee that’ll always entice you to game more and drink even more. Released almost four decades from now, the iconic arcade game has seen generations of fun and bonding that makes it a common name among gamers. There have been thousands of knockoff versions and variants, but still the original Tetris has stood the test of time.
According to CEO of Tetris, Maya Rogers, “As we mark the milestone 40th anniversary of Tetris, we are excited to announce our partnership with 7-Eleven, another iconic brand beloved across generations,” she added, “this collaboration celebrates our spirit of innovation and delivers fans with a new, fun way to experience Tetris.”
The game is played on the front of the Slurpee cup-shaped handheld that looks like 7-Eleven’s iconic cup. There’s a small full-color display (smaller than the original Game Boy) measuring 1.8 inches on which you can play the nostalgic game. The device draws power from the three AAA batteries and if you want, you can also plug it into a laptop or power outlet with a USB-C cable connection. To elevate the gameplay immersion, it also has built-in speakers.
There is no release date for the Slurpee Handheld Gaming Device yet, but we should expect the announcement soon. As we said, the collection comes with other goodies as well including shirts, tote bags, two cap designs, stickers and more. What we are interested in is this cool gadget that you can carry around on the beach and then settle down to play a stint of your favorite classic game.
Thanks to devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion GO, handheld PCs are becoming more common and more acceptable in the public’s eyes. That horizontal orientation, while more gaming-oriented, isn’t the only possible design, nor is it even the best option. There are other styles, particularly the laptop-like clamshell design, that offer a user experience that is slightly different but also a bit more flexible in its features. Of course, just because it looks like a mini laptop doesn’t mean it has to behave like one, and this particular handheld console concept stretches that design a bit further to transform a gaming device into a lifestyle product.
Designer: Viet Doan Duc
ORBIS, the name for this design concept, wouldn’t be the market’s first clamshell gaming handheld. Chinese brand GPD has been making such devices for years, and recently rival AYANEO even put out two designs for such a portable gaming machine, including one that tries to recreate the experience of the Nintendo DS. What ORBIS does differently, however, is how it gives as much attention on features that let users personalize the device’s appearance as on the specs that drive the use of the gaming computer.
One simple yet significant example is how the removable ABS cover on the lid lets you customize the appearance of the device while also opening the doors to branded accessories. While you can also just slap on stickers like you would on a laptop, this system is more flexible, allowing users to swap out covers depending on their mood or style, just like how you could easily switch cases on smartphones. There is also RGB lighting encircling the analog sticks, delivering not only a gamer aesthetic but also increased visibility in the dark.
The ORBIS handheld takes a bit of inspiration from the Nintendo DS with its second screen right below the gamepad controls, but it also goes beyond what Nintendo’s popular handheld could accomplish. Because it is a gaming PC more than a closed console system, that touch screen can be used for different purposes, including a virtual keyboard. The typing experience will be awkward and difficult, yes, but it’s significantly better than what’s offered on the likes of the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Admittedly, some parts of the ORBIS concept are a bit too idealistic, like the use of an ARM-based CPU (versus Intel or AMD) together with a high-end NVIDIA RTX graphics processor. Having two 5,200mAh batteries inside such a small and compact device is also unrealistic, without even considering things like thermal management and charging speeds. Of course, as a concept, it’s not wrong to sometimes shoot for the sky, and thankfully, some of the ideas here can actually be easily implemented, especially the parts that can significantly improve the user experience by simply allowing owners to customize their device to their hearts’ content.
The handheld gaming market is currently dominated by the likes of Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. Playtron wants to shake up this marketplace with its unique take on a gaming handheld device that unifies different game studios under one umbrella. Developed in collaboration with Mytsen Labs (one of Playtron’s seed investors), the Web3 capable gaming handheld dubbed SuiPlay 0x1 will be available in 2025 for a rumored $500.
The gaming titles compatible with the handheld will be available for purchase via the blockchain and tie some titles to Mysten’s Sui cryptocurrency. Mysten is also promising crypto-incentives and rewards as long as you keep playing and buying more games.
For now, the handheld renders look too sleek to be true. The D-pad is even flatter than the one on the Game Boy Advance SP, which was super-flat by necessity due to the console’s clamshell design. The startup is aspiring to create an Android of PC gaming, something that Steam Deck did. If the Web3 games on the PlaytronOS won’t do well, then the Steam and Epic Games Store availability on the platform will come to the rescue.
All said and done, the company is still to reveal any specs details. All they leaked was the promise of the handheld to be based on Advanced Micro Devices technology and currently, there are system-on-chip vendors interested in this unique offering. According to Playtrom CEO, Kirt McMaster, they are looking for manufacturing partners and a follow-up announcement will come in three months. You can look forward to the pre-order window once the specs are cleared up.
The open gaming handheld will offer multiple game stores, right from Sui Web3 games to the popular Epic Games Store. Every single game available will appear in a single launcher and work with a single operating system. The good news for developers is that the Playtron software will integrate stores with a program called Playtrom Select, so that small publishers can also launch their games directly on the launcher.
Gaming handhelds are quite the hot item in tech these days, with the likes of the Nintendo Switch still selling strong and handheld PCs becoming more common. Of course, gaming devices you can hold in your hands are nothing new, even discounting how smartphones or even old “dumb” phones have been offering such an experience for years now. During the age of the “Game & Watch,” each handheld offered a single game and only a single game, making each one a collectible item as well as a toy. That might sound wasteful and impractical today, but such a dedicated device can spark a bit of nostalgia, especially if it’s a classic game that everyone knows and perhaps loves. Even better if it plays almost exactly like the original pinball, complete with a physical lever.
Designer: Giacomo Carlini
Almost everyone is familiar with pinball, even if only in concept or through movies. Just like arcades, the game is like a relic of the past, which makes it even better suited for a retro makeover. FlipOnGo is a concept that capitalizes on the nostalgia potential of the game but puts in a design that mixes the old and the new in interesting and unconventional ways. Yes, it’s a digital gaming handheld, and yes, you still need to pull that lever to start playing.
The device, which is only a little larger than a deck of cards, offers a classic game of pinball with the bells and whistles of a digital version. There are no real balls involved, and no mechanical paddles to flip. It has a large display, which shows a playing field and digital versions of flippers and bumpers. It also has a smaller display that shows the score, how many balls you have left, and the remaining battery.
To play the game, however, you will have to really give your fingers and hand an exercise. There’s a real lever hanging down the bottom of the console, and you have to pull the spring-loaded mechanism to “launch” the ball into play. Buttons near the top on each side of the device act as your paddle controls, though it’s uncertain how comfortable it will be to play the game this way.
The design of FlipOnGo is definitely intriguing, though it won’t be able to shake off doubts about the feasibility of such a device, especially with a lever that could become a source of mechanical failure after some time. It does, however, bring back a little of that joy and excitement when playing a classic pinball game, complete with that iconic lever, just miniaturized for portability.
If you’ve been keeping tabs on the tech industry in the past year or so, you’re bound to come across a new and probably alien breed of computers making rounds over the Internet. Whether or not you’re a gamer, it’s almost impossible not to at least see a glimpse of the likes of the hulking Steam Deck or the shapeshifting Lenovo Legion GO. These portable computers that are larger than smartphones but significantly smaller than laptops are popping up in places you least expect, and sometimes in designs you never imagined. They might sound like a passing fad, especially given how few there are from the major PC manufacturers, but these handheld gaming PCs actually play a crucial role in promoting a healthy and exciting future for an ailing PC market.
It might come as a surprise to some, but Valve’s Steam Deck is, technically speaking, not the first handheld gaming computer to launch in modern times. Even before Nintendo launched its monumental Switch console, a small manufacturer from China was already testing the waters of this very niche market. Game Pocket Devices or GPD started out with Android gaming handhelds but it took a big gamble with its first Windows product, the GPD WIN, in 2015. The clamshell design and mediocre specs of the literally pocketable computer made it feel more like a toy than an actual gaming device, but it laid the groundwork for that brand’s future foray into this nascent space.
And then the Nintendo Switch was born, rekindling the dreams of many gamers to be able to play anywhere they want and, more importantly, in any mode they desire. Unlike the Nintendo DS or the PlayStation Vita, the Switch supported multiple ways of playing thanks to its detachable Joy-Cons and docked mode, virtually combining handheld and home consoles in a single device. That said, the appeal only worked if you had Nintendo-exclusive titles you actually wanted to play, and so the desire to bring that same design and experience to other gaming platforms, particularly PCs, was born.
Although smaller manufacturers like GPD, AYANEO, and ONE Netbook, just to name a few, quickly jumped on the Nintendo Switch fever, it wouldn’t be until Valve joined the fray that people would start to take the idea of a handheld gaming PC more seriously. For gamers, especially PC gamers, the promise of being able to sit down (or stay standing up) anywhere and launch their favorite title was almost too good to be true. Truth be told, the Steam Deck’s success and popularity was almost like a miracle. The hardware was almost too mediocre, the design was large and chunky, and the Linux-based Steam OS was unfamiliar to the majority of Windows PC gamers. And yet two years later, the Steam Deck is still a household name that has many fans clamoring for a 2nd-gen upgrade.
Now we have a handful of handheld gaming PCs from different brands and different designs, with more coming in the months ahead. Their compact forms and relatively lightweight designs definitely endear them to gamers, but these users aren’t the only ones who benefit from this budding device category. In fact, the entire PC industry could stand to benefit from this wave, presuming other key players join the game long enough to make it matter.
Pushing the Boundaries
The most immediate impact that these handheld computers had on the rest of the PC industry was an increased focus on mobile processors, that is, the processors used for laptops. Of course, gaming laptops have existed for years now, but these portable yet bulky computers have always had the advantage of better and equally large cooling systems. Gaming handhelds, however, don’t have that luxury, so both silicon manufacturers and hardware designers have had to come up with ways to optimize performance while keeping thermals low. And what’s good for handhelds is naturally good for laptops that need to be slim and petite. The result: extra thin gaming laptops that almost don’t look like they’re gaming laptops.
A bit indirectly, it is also pushing competitors to further outdo each other. The Steam Deck uses a custom AMD processor which placed the chipmaker on the map, making it the preferred brand for all these gaming handhelds. It is only with the announcement of the MSI Claw A1M that Intel’s name even popped up, daring to enter a field where it has generally lagged behind without the help of graphics chips from AMD or NVIDIA. Early reviews don’t seem to favor Intel’s first attempt, but the pressure will help rouse the giant to pick up the slack and push its Arc graphics to the limits.
Whatever the brand or even the hardware, handheld gaming PCs are really challenging the status quo when it comes to balancing performance, power consumption, and heat generation. The compact form factor imposes many limitations while also focusing on the essentials. Any innovation born from this space will also help drive the development of larger computers like laptops and tablets, paving the way for slim, light, and efficient computers in the future.
Design Exploration
Handheld PCs also redefine the image of what a computer looks like. Most people can only imagine desktop towers, laptops, or even tablets, taking for granted that the term “computer” actually refers to a very wide range of devices and designs. In this particular case, it is introducing the idea of a computer that you can hold in your hand and use even without sitting down, pretty much like the pocketable computers we call “smartphones.”
But even within the handheld gaming PC market, we’re also seeing a variety of designs being explored as companies try to search for the perfect answer if one does exist. The design sported by the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally is, of course, the most known, but the Switch-inspired Lenovo Legion GO and OneXPlayer X1 are also pushing the envelope of that form factor. And then there’s AYANEO’s numerous designs that are seemingly throwing everything at the wall to see which one sticks. It’s definitely an exciting time for designers to envision different ways to deliver a compact and portable computer, and hopefully, that train won’t be stopping anytime soon.
Of course, handheld gaming PCs are being made with gamers in mind, but they aren’t the only ones that can benefit from this form factor, at least not in the long run. Just like with gaming laptops, they have enough power to support almost any other computing need, from office work to system administration to even content creation. There is even a subclass of these handheld computers that are specifically designed to quickly connect to servers and other computers via ports that may seem archaic by today’s consumer standards.
Yes, you will probably need to connect some peripherals if you need to get some serious work done, but there are already people doing that anyway with their tablets and even their phones. These handheld PCs offer almost the same flexibility as laptops but with the added advantage of being able to use them in cramped spaces, including while standing up (if the design includes a more or less convenient keyboard). There’s definitely a lot of room and opportunity for innovation in this space to address more use cases beyond gaming, and handheld gaming PCs could very well be the start of a new design revolution in the PC industry.
Missed Opportunities
All that potential will be for naught if this handheld gaming PC trend fizzles out quickly. Although they’re still making a big splash, it’s not yet a stable market, much less a profitable one. PC manufacturers are also extremely cautious about jumping into the fray. It took two years after the Steam Deck before the first major PC brand jumped on board, and even then we’re still missing the likes of the Acer Predator, Dell Alienware, and Razer. Admittedly, it’s a risky business proposition and not as easy as, say, producing a smartphone, but without the presence of these big brands, the young market will die out sooner rather than later. That would definitely be a tragedy given how these handheld PCs have the potential to reinvigorate a PC market that has long been regarded to be dwindling, especially as desktops become almost as niche as these portable gaming computers.
Have you ever wished to put your knickknacks and small treasured mementos in your personal Metaverse room? Or maybe you need a replacement part for a toy or machine that has long gone out of production. You can try modeling these real-world objects using sophisticated 3D software, but not only is it a painstaking process, the end result might not be as accurate and precise as the real thing. What you need is a simple yet powerful tool to digitize physical objects, and that’s what Revopoint’s upgraded MINI 2 handheld 3D scanner offers, providing designers, makers, and all kinds of creatives the power they need to scan small objects not only with speed but, more importantly, with accuracy and precision as well.
3D scanning was once confined to large machines inside professional studios, but thanks to advancements in technology, you can now hold such a scanner in your hand that offers a high level of accuracy and an accessible price tag. You might think that a handheld, portable device would have to sacrifice features just for the sake of size, but the Revopoint MINI 2 3D scanner breaks from the mold and surpasses expectations. With its blue light-powered single-frame precision of up to 0.02 mm and an accuracy reaching up to 0.05 mm, it makes short work of any small object you throw at it, quickly turning real-world three-dimensional objects into their virtual 3D counterparts.
Single Capture Range @ Nearest Distance 52 x 64 @ 120 mm
Single Capture Range @ Furthest Distance 168 x 132 @ 250 mm
An insect scanned by Revopoint MINI 2. Credit: PUTV
The Revopoint MINI 2 presents a significant upgrade from its predecessor across the board. Its single-frame scanning range now reaches 168 mm x 132 mm at a distance of 250 mm, and the scanning speed is now faster at 16 fps. The RGB camera doubles its pixel count and even comes with a larger aperture that lets more light in, allowing it to capture more intricate color details than before. And with a new flash LED system that removes shadows from the object, you can get more uniform colors as well.
Up to 16 fps Scanning Speeds – Create ready-to-use models in seconds.
A 50-cent coin scanned by Revopoint MINI 2. Credit: PUTV.
A ring scanned by Revopoint MINI 2. Credit: PUTV
The MINI 2 isn’t just a leap in power, it is also easier to use as well. A 9-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit) makes sure you still get properly aligned frames, even with shaky hands or fast movement. Revopoint also added tactile buttons directly on the device to make it easier to start or pause the scan and adjust the depth camera’s exposure right then and there, saving you from having to fumble for the right buttons to tap on a phone or a computer. And to make sure the scanned data is also transmitted quickly, the new MINI 2 gets a new USB-C port and support for Wi-Fi 6 for wired and wireless connectivity options.
Up to 2 Megapixels Depth/RGB Cameras Resolution
With more powerful features in a compact and portable package, the Revopoint MINI 2 creates a world of possibilities when scanning small objects quickly and accurately. Scan a part of a toy or a machine to 3D print a replacement when parts are no longer available. Scan pieces of art or historical artifacts to preserve mankind’s legacy for future generations. Or scan designs, prototypes, and other physical items to integrate these objects into your creative workflow. Whether you’re 3D printing gears for replacements, scanning body parts for non-invasive medical analysis, or designing for realistic virtual worlds, the Revopoint MINI 2 3D scanner delivers the precision and power you need to get the job done right at a shockingly cost-effective price point.
3D scanning has traditionally been the domain of big production studios and companies because of the size of the equipment and their prohibitive costs. With the arrival of handheld scanners, however, the doors were thrown wide open for anyone in any field to make their own 3D models from real-world objects, whether it’s for fun, art, health, or profit.
Typical handheld 3D scanners work great when working with small objects that are no larger than the device itself. Of course, real-world objects like car parts, whole vehicles, and even human bodies are quite big and push these smaller scanners to the limit. Enter the new Revopont RANGE 2, the latest in a line of lightweight but powerful 3D scanners designed to handle large objects without breaking a sweat, making sure that your creativity and productivity aren’t limited by the size of your model.
Revopoint RANGE 2 is a portable handheld dual depth camera structured infrared light 3D scanner designed for capturing large objects like furniture, people, and vehicles.
Because handheld 3D scanners work by guiding the depth cameras across and around the target, the devices need to be able to capture a great amount of detail with great depth quickly and steadily with accuracy and precision. That’s a rather tall order for a small device, especially one that is made to be accessible to both amateurs and pros alike, but Revopoint’s expertise really shines through with the upgrades that its RANGE 2 3D scanner packs in a compact and portable form. For example, thanks to new depth cameras that have double the sensor size, the Revopoint RANGE 2 can work on a distance ranging from 400 mm to 1,300 mm, a 60% increase that makes it even faster to capture large objects compared to the previous generation, and can scan an area up to 860 x 1380 mm in size.
Scan of the body by Revopoint RANGE 2. Image credit: PUTV
Range isn’t the only thing that’s bigger and better on the RANGE 2, of course. Four flash LEDs banish shadows for a more uniform color capture, while an improved RGB camera with a bigger aperture is able to capture more color information, ensuring clear color capture with higher levels of detail for more accurate textures and realistic-looking 3D models. An upgraded tracking system utilizes the device’s built-in 9-axis IMU (Inertial Measuring Unit) to keep the scan steady even if your hands aren’t. Four Infrared LED fill lights also make it easier to recognize markers, resulting in more accurate frame stitching in marker mode.
Angel Candelabra scanned with Revopoint RANGE 2. Image credit: dfodaro
Thanks to these powerful features, the Revopoint RANGE 2 is even more versatile and as flexible as before. With Wi-Fi 6 and USB-C connections, you can be assured that transmitting critical data will be fast and stable. As before, the scanner is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, functioning in handheld mode or set on a stand in front of a turntable. And with the Revo Scan 5 software, the scanning process couldn’t be easier, especially with post-processing features, such as frame editing, hole filling, overlap detection, etc, to enhance your workflow.
With the Revopoint RANGE 2 3D scanner, you have a whole new world of large objects you will be able to scan. You can easily scan car or mechanical parts, offering a cost-effective and high-performance way to study them through reverse engineering or produce replacements. Archaeologists, scientists, and museum creators can now also digitize artifacts to preserve them for posterity or turn them into XR experiences. And, of course, artists and creators now have a portable yet powerful tool to bring their ideas to life. Scanning big objects for your big projects will no longer be a problem with the new and improved Revopoint RANGE 2!
The Nintendo Switch is hailed as the design that brought the handheld gaming market back to life, but it’s hardly the only notable product from the gaming giant. Almost two decades ago, Nintendo launched the evolution of its Game Boy line, the Nintendo DS with its odd yet interesting second screen. It’s still debatable whether that feature was a success or just a gimmick, but there’s little argument that it became an iconic design that few have been able to emulate successfully. One of the rising names in the handheld PC segment, however, is taking a stab at bringing that uniqueness to this fledgling market, with a micro laptop design that includes not a keyboard but a small second screen, a feature that could be even more quirky and gimmicky than it was on the Nintendo DS.
It’s hard not to see the Nintendo DS as a bit gimmicky. Almost all the controls you need to play handheld games are mostly covered by buttons and joysticks, so you actually need to craft specific games to take advantage of that second screen. Because of the custom design, those games won’t work on any other console without heavy changes or some special emulation. That said, a second screen might actually have more utility on a different platform like Windows, where a different display could be used for displaying information or custom controls.
That seems to be what AYANEO is aiming for with the Flip DS launching on Indiegogo next month. The handheld laptop design is nothing new and AYANEO, in fact, has a variant with that design, the AYANEO Flip KB. That squeezes a basic QWERTY keyboard in between split gamepad controls, allowing for quick text input in games or Web browsing. The AYANEO Flip DS, however, switches out the keyboard for a 3.5-inch touch screen, providing a second display that could augment the gaming experience, at least in theory.
In practice, that touch display can be used to show anything as long as the operating system or games support it. At the most basic level, it can give quick access to the most used settings, like toggling Wi-Fi, muting the mic, or even shutting down the PC. It can also display the system’s current operating conditions, for gamers who are concerned about frame rates, power draw, and temperatures. Given the more open Windows gaming ecosystem, it’s conceivable that this screen can also be used for additional in-game controls that are just a thumb tap or swipe away. It could even be used as an on-screen virtual keyboard!
That said, additional features could also mean additional burdens on the system as well as the buyer’s wallet. These are features that are not exactly critical to enjoying games on the go, as proven by the half-dozen handheld gaming PCs now on the market. It’s still an interesting exercise in design that looks to another Nintendo product for guidance, because as popular and innovative as it may be, the Switch isn’t the be-all and end-all of handheld gaming.
