SteamVR 2.0 is now available, with new store UI, dual-cursor typing, and other improvements

Following a one-month beta testing phase in September, Valve has released the long-awaited SteamVR 2.0 upgrade. While it's unclear whether the business is building the basis for a new virtual reality headset, the update includes a complete makeover of the user interface to mirror the present Steam Big Picture mode. The shop prioritizes new and big VR releases at the top, as well as making it simple to navigate between the desktop client, the Steam Deck, and other devices. The upgrade was planned to be released in 2020.

All alerts, chat messages, and even in-game images are now available directly when wearing the VR headset, maintaining a similar feel to the Steam Deck's UI. The keyboard has also been improved to support typing in additional languages and the use of emojis; the experience may be further customized with free themes. Dual-cursor typing should aid in problem-solving, and the dashboard includes battery indications and charging status for each controller, similar to wireless earphones. "This is our first big step in a larger ongoing effort to better unify the Steam ecosystem for all users, providing a more consistent experience across devices," according to the blog post, implying that the interface will be regularly updated and bug-free.

 

The introduction of SteamVR 2.0 has fueled suspicion that Valve is intending to offer a new VR device shortly. According to reports from last month, the business registered a mystery hardware in South Korea — a wireless device that is apparently a successor to the wired Valve Index, which was published in 2019, before to the release of Half-Life: Alyx. Given its designer Lawrence Yang's comments that a new one with a'significant jump in horsepower' will not be released within the next several years, a de-facto Steam Deck 2 is out of the question. A separate VR gadget codenamed 'Deckard' is also rumored to be in the works, with the intention of competing with the impending Meta Quest VR headsets.

 

The SteamVR 2.0 upgrade is absolutely free and can be found by going to Steam and then selecting the 'Check For Client Updates' option. It's rare for someone to fire up their VR headset to play games — it's not a common occurrence — therefore there's a significant possibility yours is out of current. Other notable September titles include the rebranded EA Sports FC 24, the huge space RPG Starfield, the dark Pinocchio souls-like Lies of P, and more. The platform will also have a Halloween Sale later tonight, October 26 at 10:30 p.m. IST/ 10 a.m. PT in the US, with deep discounts on certain horror games. Indeed, if you're concerned about getting a better deal during a huge sale, such as the forthcoming Autumn Sale, you can always check the pricing history on Steam Database.

Tags: #steamVR2 #steamVR #techtainmentora