Xbox 'Keystone' streaming console: Everything we know so far
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Loading... - Andreas Vogel
- 10 Jun 2022
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Recently, rumors began to swirl about a new Xbox codename dubbed "Keystone," and we later exclusively revealed exactly what it is.
Keystone is a work-in-progress new Xbox console that focuses on streaming and cloud services, over native gameplay and powerful local hardware. Using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud subscription service, players will be able to access and play Xbox games over the internet, on a box that will be significantly cheaper than either the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S, or a comparable gaming PC or laptop.
Keystone may be a fair ways off yet, but here's what we know about it so far.
WHAT EXACTLY IS XBOX 'KEYSTONE'?
Keystone is the codename of Microsoft's next Xbox console, set to be another companion to the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. Instead of using local computer hardware, Keystone is an entirely streaming-oriented box, and will be significantly smaller than even the Xbox Series S, making it the smallest Xbox console ever.
From what we understand, Keystone will run games entirely via the cloud, using the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming service. As Microsoft continues to ramp up and develop the service, we're reaching a point where Xbox cloud streams essentially feel native on a suitable network environment, although mileage may vary based on your physical location and the quality of your home network. The latest iterations of Xbox Game Pass cloud have essentially almost eliminated latency issues and artifacting on my personal home network, and it stands to reason that by the time Keystone launches, it will be even more powerful and effective at delivering remote gameplay streams.
As a streaming-first console, Keystone will be the smallest Xbox console out there. Microsoft said in a recent statement that the current iteration of Keystone is being shelved; they are instead working on a new version, focusing on developing the OS and other key features that Microsoft feels are necessary to position this against devices like the Stadia Pro Chromecast bundle.
The current iteration of Keystone internally is about an inch thick, and has a square form factor similar to the top of an Xbox Series X shaved off. The final version released to consumers, however, may look fairly different, but this is the kind of small size and sleek design Microsoft is gunning for.
We understand that Keystone will run Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's cloud as its primary gaming platform, although we understand that Microsoft is aiming to have a suite of basic video streaming apps too, such as Netflix, Disney+, and so on. To speculate, since this device will likely be Windows-based in some form, hopefully we could even see Microsoft Movies & TV services on the box, given that Microsoft only has licenses to distribute this content on Windows-based devices.
As for ports and connectivity, you'd have to assume that it'll have standard connectivity for things like USB for headsets and controllers, alongside Ethernet for the added boost to connectivity. I would hope that it'll be future-proofed with Wi-Fi 6 capabilities as well, although Microsoft has previously targeted the more widely available Wi-Fi 5 standard with its existing consoles. Wi-Fi 6 may inflate the price, although more and more devices are gaining this capability as time goes by. At the same time, it may be unnecessary for Keystone to offer a stable 1080p experience as it would most likely be targeting. Read More...
