Not sure what Microsoft is up to, but certainly sounds like an Amiibo/Skylander/Disney infinity. Filed a patent for a

...fashion item is described below which comprises two or more smart beads on a connecting element (e.g. a bracelet). A user (who may alternatively be referred to as a wearer) can add, remove and re-arrange the beads on the connecting element. Each smart bead is arranged to store both an ID for the bead and data relating to the bead (i.e. within a storage element in the bead).

...By placing different toys on the custom base, different gameplay is enabled...

Business Insider

 

[HaloEffect17]

Ooh, I get it! It's an amiibo with the PlayStation Move controller ball mounted to it!

More like, Amii-LOL.

 

[The Catboy]

Might as well throw their hat in the ring.

 

[Rockhoundhigh]

And thus the next big thing to be smothered to death under the weight of its own oversaturation is NFC toys/real-life DLC. And all the collectors of the world let out a collective cry.

 

[Megaben99]

Geez didn't realize the pic would post that big!

 

[Maximilious]

And thus the next big thing to be smothered to death under the weight of its own oversaturation is NFC toys/real-life DLC. And all the collectors of the world let out a collective cry.

More like their wallets will be the ones crying.

 

[BurningDesire]

There trying to get into the collector phase to huh. Master chief amiibo thing anyone? Watch as nintendo lends out there name to third party developers just like there doing with indies. TOO MANY AMIIBOS

 

[DinohScene]

MASTER CHIEF AMIIBO ;o;
Oh god yes <З

 

[Bladexdsl]

whos next to do this crap... sony or apple? taking all bets now

 

[Foxi4]

"Micro$oft"? Really? And on the front page? Ugh...

*Corrects the "misspelled" noun*

 

[Megaben99]

LOL @Foxi4 thanks for the spell check

 

[Tjessx]

How do you know its for gaming? Could be fir everythibk (nfc keys?)

 

[Taleweaver]

I don't know guys. An amiibo reader? Naaaah. From the looks of that picture and the vague description, it's more like MS is trying to build...

...

...wait for it...

Spoiler

A STARGATE!!!!!!

DUN DUN DUUUUUUUNNNNN!!!!!

You heard it here first.

 

[Sanoblue]

Lego Dimensions' Portal ??

Looks alot like it

 

[CathyRina]

As long as they don't lock content behind them they can do what ever they want

 

[jonthedit]

wtf...
OS Amiibo ?
How the future will work:

I choose... WINDOWS XP- nah not now; I feel like Windows 7 (switches Windows XP Amiibo for Windows 7 Amiibo).
Instant OS swapping- the future of... wait this is pointless

Not sure what the direction could be... user profiles saved in these to transport user data between multiple PCs?

 

[hippy dave]

New-fangled anal beads.

 

[tbb043]

Lego Dimensions' Portal ??

Looks alot like it

Looks like something MacGyver (or maybe that guy from Farscape) would use to travel to distant planets.

 

[Axido]

How about a wearable that reads NFC chips stored in cards and communicates with the MS HoloLens, which then projects models into the scenery.

This thingy here might get resurrected in a couple of years. xD

 

[Bladexdsl]

lol wat is this