THE CRUNCH
Valve has unveiled the Steam Frame VR headset, a device priced at nearly £900 for the base model. The company says the device is intended to expand the virtual reality market by being lightweight and standalone, rather than tethered to a powerful PC. Valve also notes that the headset addresses a long-running problem in the VR space.
The Steam Frame VR is a standalone headset, meaning it does not require a PC to function. Valve has emphasised that the device is lightweight, which is intended to make it more comfortable for extended use. The company has stated that its goal is to expand the market for virtual reality headsets, rather than simply targeting existing enthusiasts.
Valve has identified a fundamental issue that has hindered VR adoption: the need for powerful, tethered hardware. The Steam Frame VR is designed to address this by being a self-contained unit. This approach aims to make VR more accessible to a wider audience who may not have the space or budget for a high-end gaming PC.