July 21, 2009

It's just a matter of time before a mobile Xbox device becomes available. That's the word from Microsoft corporate vice president Shane Kim, who dropped the bombshell in an interview with game-enthusiast site Kikizo.

Kim, a major player in Microsoft's Xbox program, made the statement toward the end of a wide-ranging chat with Kikizo's Adam Doree, who asked how the Xbox brand might extend into the mobile-gaming arena.

Kim explained that while Microsoft has focused lately on the "living room experience," its recent efforts do segue logically into mobile gaming. These include the ability for users to buy and download Xbox 360 games via Xbox live; and Project Natal, a motion-sensing technology that lets you control video games and Xbox 360 menus with body movements rather than with a peripheral controller.

With the emergence of the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch as portable gaming systems, the massive success of the Nintendo DS, and ongoing rumors of Sony's intentions to launch a PlayStation phone, it's no shocker than Microsoft has major plans for a mobile Xbox platform.