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We’re still waiting for Valve to release its Steam Frame VR headset, expected to arrive alongside (or at least close by) the new Steam Machine. These two devices are part of a trio of Steam hardware being launched this year – we’ve already seen the Steam Controller release on May 4, and we’re getting ever closer to the Frame and Machine.
No dates are official yet, but a few recent clues suggest that Valve is gearing up and close to releasing its new “streaming-first” VR headset. The device recently appeared on Qualcomm’s website, and now, a Valve engineer has uploaded an update that adds “Initial support for Steam Frame” to the SteamOS Manager (also known as the system daemon).
Initial support for Steam Frame uploaded to SteamOS Manager
Valve engineer Arun Raghavan recently committed an update to the SteamOS Manager GitLab that edits GPU, hardware, and library files. It also adds a new configuration file that features the old ‘Deckard’ codename. Internally, the Steam Frame is the ‘friendly name’ for the device, otherwise known as a marketing name. In the commit, Raghavan notes there’s “More to come”.
Source: SteamOS GitLab
The SteamOS Manager handles processes such as GPU clock management, TDP management, BIOS updates, storage maintenance, and more. It was made open source nearly a year ago, making it easy for outsiders to peep at Valve’s inner workings. Of course, laymen can’t decipher what many of the code changes actually mean, but it’s nice to have such a transparent look at development.
We already know that the Steam Frame runs on SteamOS – just like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, so its inclusion into the SteamOS Manager looks to be another step forward towards launch day. The Steam Controller sold out in about 30 minutes, leading Valve to create a reservation program to help tackle scalpers – leaks suggest that the Steam Frame will mimic this system.