Logitech G streaming handheld is actually an Android handheld

[Daniel Sims]

In context: The handheld market is getting interesting lately with emerging products like the Steam Deck and its competitors from GPD, Ayaneo, and Ayn. Logitech is stepping into this ring with a cloud-focused approach, but it's unclear how it and partner Tencent will compete against smartphones on that front.

This week, prolific leaker Evan Blass revealed more details about an upcoming portable game system from Logitech and Tencent. It contained images and information about the device's look and software functionality. Logitech responded by slapping Blass with a DMCA takedown notice, seemingly confirming its veracity.

In early August, Logitech and Tencent announced a partnership to produce a cloud-gaming handheld that lets users stream high-end AAA games through Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now. If plans proceed without setbacks, the portable should release later this year.

The two companies hadn't revealed any specifics, so details on the device were scarce until Blass leaked photos on Twitter. They show the front and back of the device and what looks like a home screen displaying a few apps. The images quickly disappeared, but not before other sites saved them.

The portable system looks like a white Nintendo Switch with grips on the bottom. It features two analog sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, and four shoulder triggers. The screen displays icons for Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, Google Chrome, YouTube, and the Google Play Store, suggesting the device will run Android apps.

An Android-based handheld plays to a different market than a Steam Deck or a GPD Win. However, Logitech's device will still face competition from smartphones, phone controller attachments, and other powerful Android handhelds.

The leaks don't tell us how much Logitech and Tencent's offering will cost or what chips it's packing, but similar products may provide clues.

Ayn and GPD produce Android handhelds alongside their portable PCs. Ayn's Odin offers Snapdragon-powered Android and cloud gaming for $280. The GPD XP features a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 and similar software functionality for around $340. Logitech and Tencent could price their device somewhere in that range to provide good Android gaming at less than half the price of Samsung's Galaxy S22.

However, those who already own recent Android phones could have a similar experience by adding an attachment like the $100 Backbone One, especially considering that the Google Play store already hosts native GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming apps.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/95813-logitech-g-streaming-handheld-actually-android-handheld.html

 

[psycros]

Tencent? As if Logitech alone wasn't a kiss of death.

 

[pcnthuziast]

It's not as though handheld gaming is an emerging market. It's just expanding and evolving and I am here for it! Thinking about something with the power of current gen i9 or ryzen9 and a 3090 or a 6900, ddr4/ddr5, gen4/5 ssds, but in a 'Steam deck' or something even smaller. When they can squeeze that much power into something phone sized, it's going to change everything and a tech consolidation is inevitable. I'm here for that too. Giddy even. 1 device that does everything. Phone and full fat desktop pc able to output audio and video wirelessly. The peripheral market for that is going to be fun.

 

[ZedRM]

I couldn't care less about the streaming aspect of this device, I like that Android seems to be fully functional and with good specs!

 

[terzaerian]

It's not as though handheld gaming is an emerging market. It's just expanding and evolving and I am here for it! Thinking about something with the power of current gen i9 or ryzen9 and a 3090 or a 6900, ddr4/ddr5, gen4/5 ssds, but in a 'Steam deck' or something even smaller. When they can squeeze that much power into something phone sized, it's going to change everything and a tech consolidation is inevitable. I'm here for that too. Giddy even. 1 device that does everything. Phone and full fat desktop pc able to output audio and video wirelessly. The peripheral market for that is going to be fun.

This was the prediction for tablets as well, and thankfully it failed to materialize.

The idea of "one device to rule them all" is silly, and would be just as silly as an automaker trying to make a single vehicle that is all things to all people. Everyone has different use cases and qualities they value for their hardware. I'd never want to get rid of the full desktop because it's easy to repair and thermally manage in a way mobile PCs are not.

Besides that I do like the renaissance in mini-PCs we're experiencing, though I hope they don't all end up just being Steam Deck clones. I'd really like to see something like the GPD minis but done up as a Yoga-style convertible; that'd be just small enough that you could just about still use it as a phone (though more the size of a traditional handset than a smartphone) but still big enough that the screen doesn't feel totally cramped for watching video.

EDIT: Nevermind GPD already did it lol https://www.gpd.hk/gpdpocket3

 

[pcnthuziast]

This was the prediction for tablets as well, and thankfully it failed to materialize.

The idea of "one device to rule them all" is silly, and would be just as silly as an automaker trying to make a single vehicle that is all things to all people. Everyone has different use cases and qualities they value for their hardware. I'd never want to get rid of the full desktop because it's easy to repair and thermally manage in a way mobile PCs are not.

Besides that I do like the renaissance in mini-PCs we're experiencing, though I hope they don't all end up just being Steam Deck clones. I'd really like to see something like the GPD minis but done up as a Yoga-style convertible; that'd be just small enough that you could just about still use it as a phone (though more the size of a traditional handset than a smartphone) but still big enough that the screen doesn't feel totally cramped for watching video.

EDIT: Nevermind GPD already did it lol https://www.gpd.hk/gpdpocket3

I was speaking functionality, not desireability. A device that has the power, attributes, functionality, utility and interface option, both input and output, that it is literally able to do everything.