There is no denying that currently in gaming no one is providing a better value than Microsoft. From their Xbox Series S providing next-gen gaming at a lower cost to Game Pass, the value has been stupendous. Rumors about Microsoft developing a device for cloud gaming had also been surfacing for quite some time now. Xbox Keystone cloud streaming device seems to be their solution for that.
We first found out about Keystone through Tero Alhonen a few months ago. It appeared on the Xbox OS list which indicated that Microsoft’s attempt to create a cloud gaming device is still going strong.
Phil Spencer Teases Xbox Keystone
Windows Central confirmed the rumor about the cloud streaming device recently. It will be an HDMI dongle-based device and run Xbox Game Pass and its Cloud streaming service. A Microsoft representative told WC:
'Our vision for Xbox Cloud Gaming is unwavering, our goal is to enable people to play the games they want, on the devices they want, anywhere they want. As announced last year, we’ve been working on a game-streaming device, codename Keystone, that could be connected to any TV or monitor without the need for a console'
However, it wasn’t ready for mass production at the time of Jez Corden’s article on Windows Central.
Today about 4 months later, Phil Spencer Tweeted a picture of his office shelf celebrating the Fallout 25 anniversary and a certain thing on the top shelf caught everyone’s attention. This is apparently the Keystone streaming device that Microsoft plans to release.
The Xbox Keystone device looks exactly like the early renders suggested. This could also imply that the device could be nearing its final form and launch soon. We also have some of the expected specifications of the device listed below:
- Priced at $99 with controller
- 4K HDR xCloud streaming (Xcloud is currently 1080p)
- Similar UI to Samsung 2022 tv’s (Parties, DVR, and Discord)
- Play Xbox Game Pass and owned games
- Remote play with Xbox
If the rumor of the $99 price tag with the controller turns out to be legit, this will really give a brand new name to value gaming. Considering most PC and Xbox gamers already have a Game Pass subscription, adding the cloud device could be a great deal for you. Not to mention, the size seems quite small which will make it easy to carry around too.
Again, there has been no word from Microsoft or Phil if that is indeed the streaming device. But we can be sure that it is coming in the future, as to when we can expect that is currently unknown as of yet.
What are your thoughts on Phil Spencer allegedly teasing the Xbox Keystone streaming device? Let us know in the comments down below.
