Microsoft's experimentation with handheld mode for windows devices: Gamepass on Steamdeck soon?

Is Microsoft finally giving its users the handheld they've been asking for? Well, according to a leaked video shared by Twitter user @h0x0d, Microsoft is indeed experimenting with a Windows handheld mode for devices similar to the Steam Deck. The video showcases early concept and prototype work for an optimized Windows 11 UI for handhelds.

One of the major issues highlighted in the video is the difficulty in navigating the Windows UI with touch or a controller right now. However, the prototype includes a launcher that can open games from various stores, a keyboard optimized for the Steam Deck, and a floating taskbar that Microsoft has teased before.

Image by @h0x0d

The project was part of a hackathon at Microsoft from September, where employees present ideas that may get support from executives and end up shipping. Microsoft employees are encouraged to “get serious about handheld gaming on Windows” to improve the company's image and credibility in the PC gaming community. Perhaps we may never get to see a true handheld device from Microsoft/Xbox, but it's exciting to see the company showing interest in providing official support for a platform like the Steam Deck, which has garnered such a positive reception among the gaming community, and with the recent announcement of the Asus ROG Ally, it seems that we might start to see a more serious approaches to software versions with support for handhelds from Microsoft.