Valve has introduced its latest hardware lineup, which includes the Steam Frame, a virtual reality headset capable of running both VR and non-VR games. This new device is designed to bridge the gap between Steam and Android, allowing Android developers to seamlessly bring their games to the Steam platform.
In a recent statement, Valve announced plans to support developers in adapting Android applications for Steam. The company will provide a developer kit to facilitate this transition for those already using Android APKs in their VR projects. Jeremy Selan, a Valve engineer, elaborated on this initiative, emphasizing that users shouldn’t have to think about the conversion process. They will simply access their titles on Steam, download them, and start playing, regardless of whether the content was originally designed for mobile VR.
The compatibility of Android apps with the Steam Frame is made possible due to its use of an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, allowing for direct execution of these apps. This feature promises an easy and efficient platform for accessing both Android games and VR applications.
Alongside the Steam Frame, Valve is also rolling out the Steam Machine, a console-like device aimed at bringing PC gaming into living rooms. While exact pricing details have not yet been disclosed, hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat indicated that the Steam Machine will be competitively priced to stand as a viable alternative against traditional gaming consoles, offering comparable features and performance.
For more information on Valve’s new gaming hardware, you can check out these links: Steam Frame Overview and Steam Machine Pricing.
