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

 

[CathyRina]

lol wat is this

a signature.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

I doubt Microsoft will try going into Skylanders territory (beyond maybe licensing a character or two out), Skylanders is simply way too big to try and compete with successfully. I imagine this patent will pertain more to Hololens than anything, using NFC to store executables or something that will display whatever.

 

[XDel]

Does Microsoft even have any beloved IP's? I remember Halo being a great game... on the original XBOX, but that was a long time ago.

 

[CathyRina]

Microsoft has Rare Ware. That's enough beloved IP's

 

[Arras]

Wait, beads? So like, you can add beads to a bracelet and have amiibo-ish data on each individual bead? At that point they're not even really collectibles anymore, especially if each bead will be decently expensive. And would the main Xbox userbase really want bracelets? I imagine they'd just get passed off as "gay".