Microsoft’s Xbox streaming console ‘Keystone’ was pushed back because of its price

“It was dearer than we needed it to be once we really constructed it out with the {hardware} that we had inside,” mentioned Spencer, discussing the Keystone prototype system that recently appeared on his office shelves. “We determined to focus that crew’s effort on delivering the sensible TV streaming app.”

Microsoft delivered an Xbox TV app in partnership with Samsung as a substitute, but it surely doesn’t imply the thought for a streaming-only Xbox console is totally over. “With Keystone, we’re nonetheless centered on it and watching once we can get the best value,” reveals Spencer.

Microsoft needed to intention for round $129 or $99 for this Xbox streaming system, says Spencer, and hints that bundling a controller with the streaming console, in addition to Microsoft’s silicon part selections, had pushed the worth up nearer to the $299 Xbox Sequence S.

The selection to bundle a controller matches what Microsoft historically does with its Xbox consoles and was additionally Google’s authentic strategy to placing its discontinued Stadia cloud gaming service on TVs. However a cloud gaming TV stick or puck might assist any controller you might have if the {hardware} helps Bluetooth, so it’s attention-grabbing Microsoft particularly needed to bundle an Xbox controller, prone to make the consumer expertise really feel extra seamless.

Certainly, Spencer says the Keystone prototype “seems like an Xbox with the consumer interface and every thing works.” Now the system is simply hanging out on his shelf within the workplace. “The rationale it’s on my shelf is as a result of the crew rolled up their sleeves, and in 9 months, they constructed that factor,” says Spencer. “A bunch of us took it house, and it labored. It labored actually, very well.”

Now it seems prefer it’ll be fairly a while earlier than we see something comparable. “Will we do a streaming system sooner or later? I think we are going to, however I believe it’s years away,” mentioned Spencer in a recent Wall Street Journal live conference.