Microsoft patent sheds light on unreleased ‘Keystone’ streaming device

A recently found patent has shed light on Microsoft's cancelled Xbox streaming device codenamed ‘Keystone'. The device, originally unveiled in 2021, was designed to enable users to stream Xbox games to TVs or monitors without needing a console. However, it was reportedly put on the back burner after Microsoft struggled to bring the cost of production down to a level that would make sense.

The patent (via Windows Central) was submitted in June 2022 and provides a look at how Microsoft envisioned the gadget. Described as a square with a circular shape on top, akin to the circular vent on the Xbox Series S, the device featured an Xbox power button and a USB-A connector on the front panel, as shown in the photo shared by Phil Spencer.

Image credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office

The rear panel was equipped with HDMI, ethernet, and power connectors, while the right side included what appeared to be a controller pairing button. Additionally, there was a circular plate at the bottom, similar to the one used for the Xbox Series X console.

In a previous interview in late 2022, Phil Spencer explained that the development of Keystone had been deprioritised due to the challenges associated with manufacturing the device at a reasonable cost. Although the device worked well, the cost was too high for Spencer, who was targeting a price tag between $99 and $129.

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