In the rapidly evolving landscape of portable gaming hardware, a subtle yet significant change is unfolding for Windows 11 users—a change that could redefine the handheld gaming experience and address the loudest critiques of Microsoft’s operating system on small screens. The Xbox app on Windows is quietly staking its claim as the unified hub for Windows gaming handhelds, arriving just in time for the debut of Project Kennan: Microsoft’s much-rumored first-party, Xbox-branded handheld developed in partnership with ASUS.
For months, one of the chief criticisms leveled against Windows 11 on devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go has been its user interface. Despite the raw power and gaming versatility these handheld PCs offer, navigating a desktop OS designed for monitors on a 7-inch display can feel like herding ants. The touch targets are too small, the multitasking paradigms too complex, and crucial system information—battery, Wi-Fi status, clock—often buried behind layers of settings or obscured entirely.
The latest update to the Xbox app, quietly rolling out to users of Windows 11 (especially those in the Insider Program), tackles this problem head-on. When the app is put into Compact Mode—a feature designed specifically for small screens and gaming environments—it now persistently displays key system metrics: a digital clock, current battery charge, and Wi-Fi status. This seemingly minor tweak could have an outsized impact on usability: no more fumbling with the taskbar, or opening multiple overlays mid-game just to check if your device will last another round or if that sudden stutter is Wi-Fi related.
Tom Warren of The Verge, one of the first to spot the change, notes that “the Xbox app on Windows now has a clock, Wi-Fi information, and battery status in the compact mode. Just in time for an Xbox-branded handheld.” Windows Central’s own testing corroborates this, although the feature appears to be in a phased rollout, currently showing up mostly for users enrolled in Microsoft’s Insider Program. It’s not fully available to everyone yet, and on desktop machines—especially those using Ethernet—a slightly different status display is presented.
But make no mistake: this is more than a cosmetic adjustment. Microsoft appears serious about providing a seamless, console-like interface for handheld gamers, and the Xbox app is now clearly positioned to be that front end.
First glimpsed in leaked photos and internal briefings, Project Kennan’s hardware specs remain under tight wraps. Still, given ASUS’s trajectory with the ROG Ally—recent models run on AMD’s latest Ryzen Z1 series APUs—analysts expect nothing less than a capable machine, optimized for high-end PC gaming on the go.
Importantly, Project Kennan will not ship with ASUS’s Armoury Crate—a suite designed to bridge the usability gap on Windows handhelds. Instead, it’s likely that Microsoft intends the Xbox app’s enhanced Compact Mode to serve as the out-of-box “console” experience. This dovetails with Microsoft’s long-term vision for Xbox as a platform rather than just a device—a unified, device-agnostic ecosystem for play, whether at your desk, on your sofa, or on the move.
The ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go have both found enthusiastic audiences, despite software teething pains. New models, such as the rumored ROG Ally successor, are expected to feature the latest AMD silicon, offering better power efficiency and performance for longer gaming sessions. Meanwhile, Lenovo’s Legion Go S and other hardware partners are lining up to ship devices preloaded with SteamOS, Valve’s increasingly mature gaming operating system that is poised to be decoupled from the Steam Deck hardware in 2025.
For the first time, consumers have multiple viable choices: compact, switch-like PC handhelds capable of running the newest AAA games at respectable framerates, with real battery life, and—crucially—improving software ergonomics. The ecosystem is closing the usability gap with the Nintendo Switch, while providing access to rich libraries on Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and more.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s approach is different but familiar: rather than build a new OS, it’s refining Windows for the handheld form factor—incrementally layering in the kind of quality-of-life features that console players take for granted. This includes:
Additionally, the core of Windows still expects a mouse and keyboard. Even minor UI quirks—such as tappable areas, pop-up notifications obscuring controls, or the awkwardness of device rotation—can frustrate users and diminish the “console-like” experience. Compounding this, Windows’ security models sometimes interrupt workflows with account prompts or permission dialogs jarring on a handheld meant for play.
Another challenge is battery optimization. Windows, being a general-purpose OS, is not yet as efficient in maximizing battery life as lighter Linux distributions. Battery status might be visible in Compact Mode, but if battery life isn’t competitive, users may jump to SteamOS-powered options instead.
Lastly, hardware partners face a dilemma: should they customize Windows with their own software layers (as ASUS and Lenovo have done), or cede the software experience to Microsoft’s Xbox team? Too much divergence and users are left with inconsistent, overlapping interfaces and support headaches. Too little, and OEMs struggle to differentiate in a crowded market.
Looking forward, several questions remain:
In this swirling storm of innovation and competition, the Xbox app’s enhanced Compact Mode stands as both a harbinger and a challenge. It hints at a world where your games, friends, progress, and achievements are truly at your fingertips wherever you go—and where the old boundaries between console, PC, and handheld are finally swept away. Yet, execution matters, and Microsoft, despite its technical might, will need both speed and humility to listen to the handheld community’s needs.
For now, handheld gamers can look forward to a future in which checking the time, battery, and Wi-Fi is as effortless as launching their next quest. And for Microsoft, that small step might be the key to finally making Windows—the original PC gaming platform—feel truly at home in the palm of your hand.
Source: Windows Central The Xbox app on Windows 11 is getting a handy feature — just in time for the Project Kennan handheld
Compact Mode Gets Practical: Clock, Battery, and Wi-Fi at a Glance
For months, one of the chief criticisms leveled against Windows 11 on devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go has been its user interface. Despite the raw power and gaming versatility these handheld PCs offer, navigating a desktop OS designed for monitors on a 7-inch display can feel like herding ants. The touch targets are too small, the multitasking paradigms too complex, and crucial system information—battery, Wi-Fi status, clock—often buried behind layers of settings or obscured entirely.The latest update to the Xbox app, quietly rolling out to users of Windows 11 (especially those in the Insider Program), tackles this problem head-on. When the app is put into Compact Mode—a feature designed specifically for small screens and gaming environments—it now persistently displays key system metrics: a digital clock, current battery charge, and Wi-Fi status. This seemingly minor tweak could have an outsized impact on usability: no more fumbling with the taskbar, or opening multiple overlays mid-game just to check if your device will last another round or if that sudden stutter is Wi-Fi related.
Tom Warren of The Verge, one of the first to spot the change, notes that “the Xbox app on Windows now has a clock, Wi-Fi information, and battery status in the compact mode. Just in time for an Xbox-branded handheld.” Windows Central’s own testing corroborates this, although the feature appears to be in a phased rollout, currently showing up mostly for users enrolled in Microsoft’s Insider Program. It’s not fully available to everyone yet, and on desktop machines—especially those using Ethernet—a slightly different status display is presented.
But make no mistake: this is more than a cosmetic adjustment. Microsoft appears serious about providing a seamless, console-like interface for handheld gamers, and the Xbox app is now clearly positioned to be that front end.
Project Kennan: The Xbox-Branded Handheld Takes Shape
This update is anything but coincidental. Microsoft’s Project Kennan, a long-anticipated Xbox handheld set to compete directly with Valve’s Steam Deck and ASUS’s own ROG Ally, is nearing its reveal. Windows Central and other industry watchers suggest that Project Kennan is the result of a close ASUS-Microsoft partnership, leveraging ASUS’s formidable expertise in high-performance handhelds while bringing to bear the Xbox brand’s ecosystem loyalty and content depth.First glimpsed in leaked photos and internal briefings, Project Kennan’s hardware specs remain under tight wraps. Still, given ASUS’s trajectory with the ROG Ally—recent models run on AMD’s latest Ryzen Z1 series APUs—analysts expect nothing less than a capable machine, optimized for high-end PC gaming on the go.
Importantly, Project Kennan will not ship with ASUS’s Armoury Crate—a suite designed to bridge the usability gap on Windows handhelds. Instead, it’s likely that Microsoft intends the Xbox app’s enhanced Compact Mode to serve as the out-of-box “console” experience. This dovetails with Microsoft’s long-term vision for Xbox as a platform rather than just a device—a unified, device-agnostic ecosystem for play, whether at your desk, on your sofa, or on the move.
The Handheld Market’s 2025 Boom: Competitors and Context
Microsoft’s focus on usability improvements comes at a time of fierce competition and rapid innovation in gaming handhelds. Since the debut of the Steam Deck in 2022—a device many credit with reigniting the entire category—portable Windows and Linux-based PCs have experienced a renaissance.The ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go have both found enthusiastic audiences, despite software teething pains. New models, such as the rumored ROG Ally successor, are expected to feature the latest AMD silicon, offering better power efficiency and performance for longer gaming sessions. Meanwhile, Lenovo’s Legion Go S and other hardware partners are lining up to ship devices preloaded with SteamOS, Valve’s increasingly mature gaming operating system that is poised to be decoupled from the Steam Deck hardware in 2025.
For the first time, consumers have multiple viable choices: compact, switch-like PC handhelds capable of running the newest AAA games at respectable framerates, with real battery life, and—crucially—improving software ergonomics. The ecosystem is closing the usability gap with the Nintendo Switch, while providing access to rich libraries on Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games Store, and more.
Handhelds vs. Gaming Laptops: The Tipping Point
As this next wave of hardware rolls out, a growing chorus argues that the traditional gaming laptop may be fighting a losing battle. Here’s why:- Portability: Modern PC handhelds, weighing less than two pounds, slip into a backpack while delivering competent 1080p gaming—a feat that previously required a five-pound laptop and a power brick.
- Battery Life: Although still limited compared to the Nintendo Switch, the latest APU-powered devices can run graphically demanding titles for up to three hours, and mainstream or indie games even longer.
- User Experience: With features like the Xbox app’s Compact Mode, users can launch games, tweak settings, and check battery or connectivity without diving through desktop menus—crucial for quick sessions or couch gaming.
- Versatility: Docked, these handhelds can drive external displays, turning into full Windows PCs for work or media, closing the gap on productivity use cases.
A Future Defined by Ecosystems: Xbox, SteamOS, and the New Desktop
At the heart of this transition is a race among platform holders to claim the “gaming desktop” on the go. Valve’s SteamOS, once exclusive to the Steam Deck, will soon be available for installation on any compatible hardware—a move designed to attract hardware partners and reduce friction for developers and users alike. The Legion Go S, for instance, is the first officially licensed non-Valve handheld shipping with SteamOS pre-installed.Meanwhile, Microsoft’s approach is different but familiar: rather than build a new OS, it’s refining Windows for the handheld form factor—incrementally layering in the kind of quality-of-life features that console players take for granted. This includes:
- Integrated system metrics (battery, clock, Wi-Fi) front and center.
- Potential future features like quick-access overlays for capture, streaming, or performance tweaking.
- Deep Xbox Game Pass integration, providing access to hundreds of games via local install or streaming.
- A foundation for third-party storefront support, something that keeps Windows appealing to enthusiasts with Epic, GOG, and even emulation front ends.
Notable Strengths: Microsoft’s Advantage in Software and Ecosystem
Microsoft’s push with the new Xbox app features brings several intrinsic advantages:- Unified Account & Library: For gamers who already own Xbox consoles, progress, friends, and achievements follow them to the PC and, by extension, to any upcoming handheld.
- Game Pass: Arguably the killer app, Game Pass continues to add value with day-one releases and an ever-shifting catalog across genres.
- Windows Compatibility: The sheer breadth of games, mods, and emulation available on Windows dwarfs Linux-based competitors, though at the cost of extra overhead and sometimes cumbersome security dialogs.
- Developer Support: With DirectStorage, AutoHDR, and other DirectX improvements, Microsoft can optimize the core of Windows gaming across both desktop and handheld devices.
Risks and Challenges: Fragmentation, Usability, and Early Adoption
Despite this, pitfalls remain—and fragmentation is a real threat. The Xbox app’s Compact Mode is a step forward, but unless Microsoft commits to broad device testing and regular updates, the risk of inconsistent user experiences looms large. Early evidence already highlights that the new features aren’t universally available—limited to Insider builds and rolling out piecemeal. If this sporadic pattern persists post–Project Kennan launch, Microsoft could cede usability ground to the competition.Additionally, the core of Windows still expects a mouse and keyboard. Even minor UI quirks—such as tappable areas, pop-up notifications obscuring controls, or the awkwardness of device rotation—can frustrate users and diminish the “console-like” experience. Compounding this, Windows’ security models sometimes interrupt workflows with account prompts or permission dialogs jarring on a handheld meant for play.
Another challenge is battery optimization. Windows, being a general-purpose OS, is not yet as efficient in maximizing battery life as lighter Linux distributions. Battery status might be visible in Compact Mode, but if battery life isn’t competitive, users may jump to SteamOS-powered options instead.
Lastly, hardware partners face a dilemma: should they customize Windows with their own software layers (as ASUS and Lenovo have done), or cede the software experience to Microsoft’s Xbox team? Too much divergence and users are left with inconsistent, overlapping interfaces and support headaches. Too little, and OEMs struggle to differentiate in a crowded market.
The Road Ahead: Will Project Kennan—and the New Xbox App—Change the Game?
With the Project Kennan reveal on the horizon and substantive Xbox app updates rolling out, Microsoft is signaling a serious intent to capture the future of portable PC gaming. This is not just a short-term reaction to the Steam Deck, but an acknowledgment that the next generation of gamers expects versatility, seamless software, and robust ecosystems, not just raw hardware.Looking forward, several questions remain:
- Will Microsoft fast-track Compact Mode improvements, adding not just quick toggles but also deep customization, cloud saves, and a robust overlay system, keeping up with or exceeding SteamOS?
- Can Project Kennan, rumored to carry both the Xbox and ASUS brand, thread the needle between performance, price, and battery life to become the default “console” for PC gamers on the go?
- How will the broader Windows ecosystem adapt? Will other OEMs—Lenovo, MSI, even handheld upstarts—lean into Microsoft’s vision or double down on bespoke launcher solutions?
- Perhaps most importantly, will the Xbox gaming brand’s arrival in hardware-first handhelds normalize the form factor, driving prices down and opening PC gaming to even wider, younger, and more global audiences?
In this swirling storm of innovation and competition, the Xbox app’s enhanced Compact Mode stands as both a harbinger and a challenge. It hints at a world where your games, friends, progress, and achievements are truly at your fingertips wherever you go—and where the old boundaries between console, PC, and handheld are finally swept away. Yet, execution matters, and Microsoft, despite its technical might, will need both speed and humility to listen to the handheld community’s needs.
For now, handheld gamers can look forward to a future in which checking the time, battery, and Wi-Fi is as effortless as launching their next quest. And for Microsoft, that small step might be the key to finally making Windows—the original PC gaming platform—feel truly at home in the palm of your hand.
Source: Windows Central The Xbox app on Windows 11 is getting a handy feature — just in time for the Project Kennan handheld
