Valve has released a major update to SteamVR, paving the way for the imminent release of its highly anticipated standalone VR headset, the Steam Frame.
Valve’s latest update adds a nice set of standard Steam features to SteamVR. And with it, the VR runtime appears to be becoming more VR-centric, thanks in part to a new user interface for the SteamVR control panel.
According to the update notes, users who opt-in to the Steam client beta will essentially get a more useful dashboard, as it provides Steam Deck-style quick access controls, as well as easier access to things like achievements, guides, and notes.
Valve says the update also improves usability with easier overlay management, better battery information, and brightness controls.
Valve provided
For those of us who have been waiting for years, the latest SteamVR update suggests that we have indeed finally turned the corner, as Valve has not only apparently imported tons of Steam Frame headsets into the US in preparation for release, but is now tightening up the long-forgotten SteamVR UI for something seemingly ready for prime time.
What’s more, Valve recently released its Great for Frame page, which features a growing list of optimized VR and non-VR games that are guaranteed to run on Steam Frame.
However, the top two pieces of information are missing: price and exact release date. Given that the Steam Machine, which launched last month at a much higher-than-expected price of $1,050, it’s likely that the Steam Frame will be just as hyped – all thanks to the global RAM and storage crisis currently ongoing.
Looking for more Steam Frame news?
Valve is introducing the Steam Frame VR headset, which will make your entire Steam library portable: Valve is showing off the Steam Frame, a standalone headset that can stream and play your entire Steam library—with some caveats right now.
Hands-on: Steam Frame reveals Valve’s current vision for virtual reality and growing hardware ambitions: We take a look at Valve’s latest and greatest virtual reality headset.
Valve says a new first-party VR game is not in development: Valve launched Half-Life: Alyx (2020) a few months after the release of Index, but had no luck with its own content on the Steam Frame.
Valve is open to bringing SteamOS to third-party VR headsets: The Steam Frame is the first VR headset to run SteamOS, but it may not be the last.
Valve plans to offer Steam Frame dev kits for virtual reality Developers: Steam Frame is not out yet; Valve says it first needs more time with developers so they can optimize their games for PC VR.
Valve announces the SteamOS console and a new Steam controller designed with the Steam Frame headset in mind: Find out why Valve’s new console and controller running SteamOS will work seamlessly with Steam Frame.
Steam Frame and Quest 3 Features: Best Streaming, Power and Hackability: The Quest 3 can do a lot, but can it compete with the Steam Frame?
Steam Frame and Valve Index Features: Wireless VR Gameplay for Generations to Come: The Valve Index used to be a popular virtual reality headset for PC, but times have changed.