Valve has launched the Steam Frame, an Arm-based device featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon that supports both Windows and Android games. This marks a new direction for Valve, encouraging developers to bring their Android apps and APKs to the Steam platform.
Developer Support and Features
With the Steam Frame, Valve aims to simplify game deployment by allowing developers to use existing Android APKs for mobile and VR platforms. According to Valve engineer Jeremy Selan, users can easily download and play these titles on the Steam Frame without additional steps. The device uses SteamOS with a Proton compatibility layer, but native Arm code ensures high performance without translation.
Beyond Games: New Opportunities
While Valve's primary focus remains on gaming, the company is exploring possibilities beyond this domain. According to Lawrence Yang, the Steam ecosystem also includes various tools that could be integrated. Selan highlights features such as browser integration and multitasking environments, indicating potential for web apps and tools on the Steam Frame.
Future Prospects
Valve hints at a broader future for the Steam Frame and SteamOS on Arm devices. Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais suggests that this could lead to SteamOS compatibility with more Arm-based devices, including laptops. The Steam Frame could thus represent the initial step towards a wider expansion of the Steam ecosystem.
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