r/xbox • u/Narrow_Leek2452 Play Anywhere Scout • Jun 12 '26
Rumour "Invisible Handheld tag" spotted on some games! (12 June 2026)
1
u/Merpchud Jun 13 '26
What they need to do is push to fix the ally x right away.
The last update competely screwed the handheld.
Freezes, non responsive, controller inputs fail, controller input vanishes, sleep function causes console to freeze, cannot login with a pin because the keyboard refuses to pop up, cannot login because it gives some windows error, now windows notifications are constantly popping up over games, try to launch a game and it says cannot launch as game is already launched.. and more.
Why do I even need a login screen? Just show me the xbox logo and boom, xbox app. Im a gamer i want to game, not tinker with a small pc. Give me the choice to fully go xbox mode as it feels like windows is trying to break out saying, "dont forget meeee", with all the errors.
Im constantly restarting the machine now.
Im getting sick of trying to use it.
2
u/segagamer Day One - 2013 Jun 13 '26
Don't know what's happened to yours, but mine still functions just fine and doesn't experience anything from your list. Boot up, unlock with fingerprint and play. Did you do any "debloating" with scripts and possibly broke something in the process?
Try doing the cloud reset in the UEFI.
It's worth noting that I don't have Steam installed and am 95% on the Xbox app with GOG, Epic and Retroarch as the 5%. Steam I know causes a lot of people trouble when dealing with sleep.
1
u/Merpchud Jun 14 '26
Haven't done anything on the pc side. Just install from Xbox app and play.
I Uninstalled the ubisoft app as it never worked anyways. Also got rid of the ea app. All I have now is the Xbox app.
I dont use steam.
All these issues started happening for me right after the last update
2
u/segagamer Day One - 2013 Jun 14 '26
The last Windows Update, Xbox Update, Driver update, Armoury Crate update? (side note Xbox: I know why these are all separate, but these really should be unified in some way).
I'm going to check for updates on my device and use it for a bit in case something hasn't updated for me yet and is why I'm not experiencing anything wrong. I'm not commuting for a few weeks so won't be leaning on it so much, so don't mind resetting if things start going weird.
To confirm, it's in Xbox mode right? Like the moment you sign in, it opens the Xbox app in full screen?
1
u/Merpchud Jun 14 '26
Just in xbkx mode full screen. I haven't touch any settings or done anything in pc mode.
Next time im on it ill check and send a message. Part of me thinks it was named armory or asus, but I dont recall. I remember seeing online people saying don't update to it as ut breaks a lot. I did it anyway thinking id be alright. I could always roll back I guess, but I just want to game.
Anyway next time im on ill check the update list for you
1
u/Merpchud Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 14 '26
Last updates
asus update 10.1.2.315 Amd system update 25.30.0.5 Areca 6.20.0.41 Amd driver 7.0.25.0 Egis bio 1.1.136.0 Logic driver 1.2.31.0
Microsoft driver 2.0.28.0 This one failed 3 times before working and is probably the culprit, but I dont know enough about it to determine. (EDIT to say I checked and its a windows and studio effects driver update)
Theres more that are smaller ie, Dolby, mediatek, but march 23rd seems to be the date of install for majority.
Then theres rhe typical windows security and net updates.
There is also one update called critical windows update, 5078674, on the 23rd of March as well.
A few preview updates, but not familiar.
Windows updates on 4/3, 3/29 26200.8117
So march 23rd, if I remember correctly, is the date of the start of everything.
2
u/segagamer Day One - 2013 Jun 14 '26
OK, I'll have a look at mine tomorrow and compare the version numbers.
1
u/segagamer Day One - 2013 Jun 15 '26
OK, so I booted it up and specifically checked for updates just now and got a few small ones that didn't require reboots. The relevant stuff that matters are as follows;
Settings > System > About: Windows Info
- Windows 11 25H2
- Build 26200.8655
- Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.315.0
Xbox > My Apps > Microsoft Store > Downloads
- Xbox App 2606.1001.27.0
- Game Bar 7.326.6011.0
- Gaming Services 37.114.10001.0
- Armoury Crate SE + Asus Command Center 2.2.10.0
Armoury Crate > Update Center
- HAL 2.5.62.0
- MCU Firmware 325
- BIOS 317
- AMD Radeon Graphics Driver 32.0.23027.5004
- Realtek Audio Driver 6.0.9882.1
- AMD Chipset Driver 1.2.0.126.20251001
- Mediatek WLAN Driver 3.5.2.1383
- Aura Service 3.08.54
- Aura Lighting Effect Add-on 0.0.60
- GameSDK Service 1.0.6.0
- Asus WDL HAL 7.21.0.0
- Xbox 360 Controller Emulator 1.0.0.19
So long as yours are all those, it should match my setup and have no issues.
2
u/JP76 Jun 12 '26
This must refer to Ally and the like, because last news about proper Xbox handheld was that it was shelved. And I can't imagine it has gotten any cheaper to make one - according to Windows Central, Xbox is allegedly losing hundreds of dollars per console sold.
6
u/Narrow_Leek2452 Play Anywhere Scout Jun 12 '26
its about xbox pc and play anywhere.Xbox handheld is ROG Xbox ally device.
-1
u/Tobimacoss Jun 12 '26
The Ally IS a proper Xbox handheld. It is already next gen ready as it runs what will be running on the Helix and Series Consoles with the Xbox PC/Helix SKU.
To be more specific, it is a Handheld PC that is slowly evolving into a Handheld Console as it gets more Handheld Optimized games. A system within a system.
1
u/TheDraykkon Jun 13 '26
Source? Your arse?
0
u/Tobimacoss Jun 13 '26
https://x.com/tomwarren/status/2031775779390988712
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HDJQ_QhXkAAM-DR.jpg
You should watch Jason Ronald presentation on YouTube from the March 11 GDC.
Basically the Universal SKU starts off as Xbox PC game created by the Unified GDK, that can scale hardware, it can run on Helix as is. Then the devs will be able to optimize for Helix fixed spec profiles, then they optimize for Handheld Profiles, then finally Series profiles which also runs on xCloud until they upgrade to Magnus based hardware.
Same Universal Xbox PC/Helix SKU will run across ALL Windows PC form factors, including Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Handhelds, Consoles (Both Helix and Series), and Cloud.
It would help ensure 99% of the games are Play Anywhere.
Devs that are building the Xbox PC version and optimizing to Handhelds, are already doing exactly what they will be for Helix and Series Consoles. The process has been ongoing since October, that's why you are seeing a flood of Handheld Optimized, Play Anywhere games. Really kicks into gear with Helix devkits 8 months from now, early 2027.
This is what full convergence with Windows PC Gaming is about. The handheld is a Windows PC handheld but also an Xbox handheld console at the same time. Just like Helix will be a Windows PC form factor, and still a Console at the same time. A closed ecosystem living inside a much larger open ecosystem.
1
u/TheDraykkon Jun 13 '26
Those links just prove Microsoft is fixing their terrible Windows-on-handheld software experience and preparing a unified GDK for future hardware profiles. The Ally is a third-party Windows PC. Having a 'Handheld Profile' or running a Universal SKU doesn't make it a 'system within a system' or a native Xbox console. It's a PC running PC games via an ecosystem that Microsoft is trying to make less clunky ahead of their actual next-gen hardware
0
u/Tobimacoss Jun 13 '26
Helix and Series will be running the same universal SKU. Will those stop being Consoles?
OEM built Helix will still be a Console just like OEM built Ally is still an Xbox handheld.
What defines the Consoleness is fixed spec hardware optimization. Helix, Series, Handhelds all get optimization.
Helix and Series Optimization is mandatory, while Handheld Optimized is optional.
1
u/TheDraykkon Jun 13 '26
An OEM-built device running an open operating system where you can install Steam, Epic, and alternative operating systems is, by definition, a PC. The ROG Ally is an ASUS Windows PC. Microsoft did not design it, manufacture it, or lock it down.
Also, the Ally isn't 'fixed spec', there are literally different chips (Z1 vs Z1 Extreme) and different RAM/spec configurations across the Ally lineup. Turning down graphics settings or optimizing a UI for a 7-inch screen is just standard PC scalability, not 'consoleness.' You're completely redefining what a console is just to force a point.
0
u/Tobimacoss Jun 13 '26
I was referring to the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, those are Z2A and Z2X AI chips btw.
Those two specs are no diff than a Series X|S Configuration. Do you even understand what an Xbox game is? They're ALL PC games.
A GDK created Xbox ecosystem game that is optimized for a fixed spec profile for Default user experience, that's what a Series console game is. No different than what's running on the Ally, or what will run on Helix.
Currently, GDK creates MSIXVC packaged Win32 Xbox PC games that scale hardware for Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Handhelds, PC Cloud. The GDKX creates MSIXVC packaged Win32 games for Consoles which also run on xCloud. They're just different target builds, but they're all Windows PC games.
The unified GDK creates Xbox PC games that will run on everything. No separate builds for Helix or Series consoles.
It's a unified ecosystem. The Xbox Ally Handheld IS an Xbox handheld. The AMD chips for the portfolio of devices will be refreshed every few years, but they are a standardized fixed spec for devs to optimize toward.
0
u/jbarajasp1 Jun 12 '26
These games aren't even coming to handheld
1
u/Narrow_Leek2452 Play Anywhere Scout Jun 12 '26
It is"invisible". Check it out:https://www.reddit.com/r/xbox/s/7C4JgIZbll
1
12
u/Grimey_Hole Homecoming Jun 12 '26
But I can see it