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The collaboration between Asus and Microsoft continues to deepen with a significant software update for the ROG Xbox Ally series of handhelds. The latest patch, which is available now in preview, introduces a feature designed to remove the guesswork from balancing performance and battery life.
Dubbed Default Game Profiles, this new functionality automatically adjusts frame rate targets and power consumption (TDP) for supported titles. The new feature in the November update allows users to apply hand-crafted profiles when a compatible game is launched. These profiles are designed to cap frame rates to conserve energy if the device is over-performing or boost power if the game struggles to hit its target.
Asus claims this can lead to substantial gains in efficiency. For instance, the company notes that while playing Hollow Knight: Silksong, the device can see its battery life extended by approximately an hour compared to the standard Performance mode, all while maintaining a fluid 120 FPS. At launch, the preview supports about 70 titles, including major releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Fortnite.
Beyond the power profiles, the new system update addresses general system responsiveness. Users should notice improved gamepad performance, as well as faster loading times for the game library. Cloud Gaming pages have also been optimised for better speed. Additionally, a new “Performance Fit” filter has been added to the Game Gallery, giving players a clearer indication of how well a specific title will run on the handheld.
Looking ahead, Asus plans to keep improving the ROG Xbox Ally with Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and automated highlight reels, leveraging the device's NPU. In the more immediate future, a “Game Save Sync Indicator” is scheduled to arrive next week. Other planned improvements include increasing the sleep and wake reliability, improving formatting options for microSD cards, and more.
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KitGuru says: Do you have a ROG Xbox Ally handheld? What do you think of the new and upcoming updates? What other features would you like to see on the handheld?
