Update (Wed 8 Jan, 2020 10:00 GMT): As promised, Dell dedicated a small part of its CES show to the Concept UFO device (you can watch it from the 38:30 mark above). The way in which the presenters talk about a hybrid gaming experience as being a revolutionary thing is pretty laughable, but you do get another chance to see it in the flesh and hear about its specs. Ten-inch screen, huh?


Original Article (Tue 7th Jan, 2020 10:30 GMT): Since it first launched in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has had very little in the way of direct competition. Sure, Nintendo will always be sort of fighting against the likes of PlayStation and Xbox for your attention, but the experiences offered by its hybrid machine are significantly different to the more 'usual' gaming setup available elsewhere.

This could be about to change, however, as Dell's Alienware subsidiary has unveiled a new device known as 'Concept UFO'. The resemblance to the Switch is uncanny - you'll notice a screen in the middle with a detachable controller on either side, both of which are complete with control sticks, face buttons and a directional pad placed in similar locations to the Switch's Joy-Con.

Alienware
Image: Alienware

The Concept UFO has a kickstand which means you can plonk the screen anywhere you like, and the detachable controllers can slide into a separate central unit to create a makeshift 'full' controller. Where have we seen that before?

Concept UFO
Image: Sarah Tew/CNET

It appears to take things up a notch, though; the screen is actually a Windows 10 tablet capable of playing your favourite PC games. Seemingly, Alienware has come up with a way of tapping into the portable power-loving audience the Switch has created, and expanded upon it to give players even more juice on the go. The video below from CNET shows the console in the flesh, with F1 2019 being momentarily shown for good measure.

A full reveal of the new machine is airing later today, 7th January, at 10am PST. You can watch it here if you're interested; Alienware says that it is "always pushing what's possible in the realm of gaming" and will be "introducing [its] newest gaming innovation, Concept UFO".

We imagine you have plenty of thoughts on this one. Go ahead and let us know what you think in the comments below.

[source cnet.com]