We've finally seen the patent for the Xbox Series Mini, also known as "Keystone," a cloud-based gaming console designed to stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. While it never made it to market, the patent filings shed light on what this compact console might have looked like.
Rumors of the Xbox Series Mini first surfaced in 2021, causing excitement among gamers about a console dedicated solely to cloud gaming. The idea was to create a device slightly larger than a mini PC or NUC, with an estimated edge length of about 15 cm.
It was envisioned as an affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem, targeting a price range of $99 to $129. However, the project was ultimately shelved by Xbox chief Phil Spencer, who cited the impracticality of achieving the desired price point.
US Navy Submarines use Xbox 360 controllers to manage their periscopes.
The Xbox Series Mini: Microsoft's Unreleased Streaming Console
The vision for the Xbox Series Mini was partially revealed by a patent filed in 2022 and published in 2023. The document includes several technical drawings that provide a glimpse into the design of this canceled project. These sketches suggest a sleek, minimalist console that would have prioritized accessibility and ease of use, embodying the ethos of cloud gaming.
Although the Xbox Series Mini never saw a commercial release, speculation about its existence has persisted. A photo of Phil Spencer's shelf showing a slim, unidentified device has fueled rumors that a prototype of the Keystone console may indeed exist. However, this has not been officially confirmed by Microsoft, leaving the true nature of the device in Spencer's office a matter of speculation.