Valve has announced the launch of Steam Frame, a new device supporting Android games on Steam, facilitated by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. This marks a significant expansion as developers can now host APKs for Android on the Steam platform, simplifying access for users to download and play.
Developer Integration
The new Steam Frame enables developers to utilize the same APK files they use for smartphones or VR devices, like the Meta Quest, and run them directly on Steam Frame. This feature is particularly aimed at studios working on Android VR projects, allowing them to port to Steam without any modifications.
To assist developers with the transition, Valve introduced the Steam Frame Developer Kit program, providing necessary hardware for testing. Games will run natively on ARM processors, eliminating the need for emulation, which ensures stable performance and responsiveness.
Future Enhancements
Valve plans further enhancements, including a browser and multi-window mode in the Steam environment, to support web applications. While support for regular Android apps like Discord hasn't been confirmed, it may be integrated in future updates. The Steam Frame is positioned as the first step towards broader ARM support, potentially extending to laptops and portable consoles.
