Qualcomm has announced a partnership with the Indian gaming technology company ARC. According to the official press release, their goal is to design and create a new line of high-performance gaming devices, including the ARC X1.
ARC company video from the official YouTube channel
Unfortunately, it is not yet known whether the ARC X1 handheld console will reach gamers in all countries or will be specifically targeted at gamers in India and other rapidly growing emerging markets. No specific details about the device have been revealed yet, but there is a special website where interested parties can sign up for a waiting list.
Currently, the following is known about ARC X1:
- Increased computing power, optimized for modern game engines and multi-platform titles;
- System architecture with power optimization, designed to maintain peak performance without excessive thermal throttling;
- Low-latency network hardware to support cloud gaming and competitive online multiplayer sessions;
- Lightweight designs focused on ergonomic use and everyday portability.
According to ARC, the company plans to provide more details about the X1 and other future handheld consoles "in the coming months." As for software, the ARC X1 will also not run on a standard version of Android out of the box. The company is currently developing its own Android-based operating system called "OwlOS."
The landing page states that OwlOS "is designed to make handheld gaming faster, simpler, and more unified." It further says: "This isn't Android crammed into a gaming device. This is an operating system rebuilt around how people actually play."
Геймплей Hades II
The website also shows gameplay of the roguelike Hades II, running at 60 frames per second, recorded from a device running OwlOS.