Yesterday, we highlighted Windows Central's latest report on the next Xbox console regarding its release window and price, but that report also mentioned how Microsoft is working with OEMs to provide a range of next-gen options.
According to the outlet, the next first-party Xbox console will be the "baseline, quintessential Xbox experience", but then there's potential for different hardware (including extra "consoles") from Microsoft's Windows partners.
Here's a bit of what they had to say about this:
"I'm told Microsoft is also working with OEMs such as ASUS and the like to build a variety of options for next-gen Xbox gamers across a range of price points, like the two Xbox Ally models."
"Xbox's first-party console will be the baseline, quintessential "Xbox" experience, but we could see more expensive, even more super-premium Xbox "consoles" from Microsoft's Windows partners, as well as slimmed-down, more affordable options on top. Expect a smorgasbord of innovations in the coming years on this front, from a variety of companies."
The outlet suggests that opening up to different OEMs, as well as integrating Windows into the Xbox ecosystem going forward, will allow for "tailor-made" experiences that can suit all different types of users and price ranges. The belief is that there will be Xbox devices "of all shapes and sizes" coming our way from OEM partners in the future.
But again, it sounds like the next Xbox console that's being developed in-house at Microsoft is the core focus, and that's obviously what we're most interested in right now as well. For what it's worth, the outlet mentions that Xbox hasn't totally abandoned the idea of making a first-party handheld either, but there's no suggestion of when it might happen.