Microsoft and Asus have developed the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device featuring a new Xbox-branded user interface designed to run on top of traditional Windows. This interface aims to deliver a Steam Deck-like handheld experience with improved compatibility for PC gamers.
Currently, Steam Deck and SteamOS support mostly Windows games through Proton, a compatibility layer, but are limited compared to native Windows gaming. The ROG Xbox Ally’s UI replaces the standard Windows desktop and taskbar with a full-screen, tile-based interface, reducing system resource use and enhancing energy efficiency.
Microsoft confirmed to The Verge that while the interface will debut on the ROG Xbox Ally, a similar UI will be rolled out to other Windows handheld devices starting next year. This effort follows internal experiments dating back to 2022, when Microsoft employees developed a prototype “Windows Handheld Mode” featuring a gamepad-friendly, touch-optimized interface.
On the ROG Xbox Ally, the streamlined interface saves several gigabytes of RAM and avoids extra overhead caused by software like Asus’ Armoury Crate, which is currently needed on other Windows-based handhelds to bridge the gap with SteamOS.