Tech This Out: The Steam Brick - A Glimpse into the Future of Portable VR Gaming for Valve?

The Steam Brick doesn't look like much on the surface, but when I saw that the creator was able to plug in the Xreal Air 2 Pro AR glasses to his Steam Brick device, which is a modified version of Valve's Steam Deck with no screen, it made my mind wander. Sure, you have to Bluetooth a controller to the Steam Brick, but this essentially makes it possible for Valve to create their own portable VR headset. If they decide to do such a thing as a result of Crastinator's concept, I think they should bring him on board to help bring it to life. Then all you would have to do is connect your standard controller to it or VR controls minus all the cords. It's not set in stone since the glasses would have to be up to par, but this is a great start to something amazing in my opinion.

Justin Diaz from Android Headlines brought mod creator Crastinator's concept to light. The Steam Brick is a smaller, lighter version of the Steam Deck, designed for enhanced portability. By removing the screen and built-in controllers, Crastinator created a device that is about a third of the size of the original Steam Deck and approximately 24% lighter. This makes it much easier to carry around, especially for those who travel frequently.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Steam Brick is its potential for portable VR gaming. By connecting the Xreal Air 2 Pro AR glasses and a Bluetooth controller, users can enjoy a fully immersive gaming experience without the need for a traditional screen. This opens up the possibility for Valve to develop their own portable VR headset, inspired by Crastinator's innovative concept.

Imagine a future where all you need is a compact device like the Steam Brick, a pair of high-quality AR glasses, and a wireless controller to dive into your favorite games. No more bulky setups or tangled cords—just seamless, immersive gaming on the go. While the technology isn't quite there yet, Crastinator's Steam Brick is a promising step in the right direction.

If Valve decides to pursue this idea, they should definitely consider bringing Crastinator on board to help bring it to life. His ingenuity and creativity have already shown what can be achieved with a bit of imagination and technical know-how. The Steam Brick may not be perfect, but it's a fantastic starting point for something truly groundbreaking.

For more details on the Steam Brick and Crastinator's process, check out the full article by Justin Diaz on Android Headlines here.

 + Blu 

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Can the Steam Deck outgrow the Nintendo Switch? Yes it can! Here's why!

This might seem random (and it is), but... the Steam Deck has become a bigger curiosity when talking to fellow gamers. Either some are simply curious about it and want to learn more... or they're literally trying to find a store that sells it so they can snag one. I've talked to numerous gamers with Steam Deck on the brain, and after speaking about several pluses, most are sold on the investment. This wasn't for the sake of me selling anything but... there are pluses to having one. I still say... it's based on what you're looking for though (and i'll continue to say that).

The reason why the Steam Deck has the potential to outgrow the Nintendo Switch, is something I've mentioned before... and that's the Steam platform. It's been around longer than the Nintendo eShop, the Steam Deck won't have a cut off point in regards to the Steam store (same as traditional laptops + desktops). Same account, different systems. 

The company itself would likely have to shut it's doors, but... that still wouldn't prevent the device from functioning. 

The same would apply to the Switch, but... as far as which would still have access to their respective online store... that would be the Steam Deck (unless Nintendo keeps the door open for the long haul to make it debatable). 

One might say it's possible for Nintendo to follow in Valve's footsteps, but... do you really see Nintendo placing potential sales at risk by allowing Switch access to the eShop for the life of future consoles? (C'mon Son!)

This doesn't count Nintendo out as far as future consoles go, but if and when Steam is able to get the price of the device down further... that would increase the incentive to buy. Especially for those who want games Nintendo doesn't have access to and... could careless about owning the First Party titles. The price hasn't stopped a number of gamers from asking me where to buy (after giving them the benefits of owning one). 

The saving grace for Nintendo is it's first party line up for die hard fans, and... one that we forget... which are the physical copies of games. When it comes to online support and access to eShop, that can vanish, but just like previous Nintendo consoles/handhelds, if you have the cartridge and your system works... you can play it. So when it comes to the physical games... Nintendo has the upperhand (these can be passed on to your kids without account/internet access), when it comes to digital... I give it to Valve. Also, you will be able to access new games on your Steam Deck... years from now, if it still works and iFixIt still repairs them. Technically, repair companies can fix a system regardless, as long as they have parts that fit.

The good thing is... these are two portable/versitile handhelds that are different enough to deliver more options for our enjoyment. Nintendo dominated for quite some time (with beloved handhelds still floating around + remakes), and now a new competitor is here + others, especially for those who gave up traditional/stationary consoles altogether. Some people aren't home that often and don't wish to carry around a console they need to connect to the telly in order to enjoy. There are some minimalists who don't even have televisions, while others just can't afford one.

Financial struggles also emerged as a topic, especially in terms of certain gamers looking at expenses and feeling as if they really need to watch out for spending too much due to financial insecurities (so the decision to buy is restricted to either or).

Financial insecurities actually opened the door to this conversation for a number of gamers who are fresh out of high school, they've been out of college for a few years (dealing with debt) and still don't qualify for entry-level positions, or they have a budget and want to invest in something that stretches beyond the shelf life of a traditional system. On that note... a lack of money increases the desire for some to spend more wisely (nothing wrong with budgeting either way... but) the cost of Nintendo's first party games comes up in terms of which system is more affordable for the long haul.

Nintendo eShop serves up deals (I've snagged multiple myself)... so I defintely wouldn't say that it doesn't, but when it comes to first party titles... they're going to remain at a premium price. Always have. This doesn't condemn the first party titles from Nintendo (there are some great ones), but a number of gamers are literally gaming exclusively from the discount bin outside of the times they save up for that one game they really want. On that note, if they don't realistically see themselves buying first party games from Nintendo... and they need a system that does more than gaming for the long haul... Steam Deck appears to be that solution because it's also computer. This sealed the deal for a number of the gamers that brought this topic to mind.

Both give you access to Hulu + YouTube, but Steam Deck gives you access to everything else as well + gaming + the ability to switch to desktop (remember this is a Linux operating system). I have no loyalty to either company, this is all about what benefits gamers and our needs. A gamer who needs a free video editing software, free image editing software, free office suite, and more... get these things in Steam Deck. Place the Steam Deck on the Dock and use a monitor and speakers for movies, and signing into an online work platform shouldn't be a stretch via Microsoft 360. Again, this doesn't make the Switch a bad option, but a number of gamers are adapting to the situation in order to enjoy gaming and grinding!

For struggling gamers who desire to get a Steam Deck/PC set up for a studio apartment, I recommend something... similar to the following:

39.4" Foldable Desk (No Assembly Required) | $69.99

22 Inch Monitors (2-Pack) 1920 x 1080p | $119.97

These desktop speakers also have speakers on the side | $13.99 or...

Logitech Z313 2.1 speeakers + Subwoofer | $59.99

Amazon Wireless Keyboard & Mouse | $20.69

Steam Deck Dock | $46.99

Put it together, and you have what you see in the image above.

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The Steam Deck OLED is coming... November 16th!

The Valve Steam Deck has long been a head-turner among gamers thanks to its portability and power, especially for PC gamers. But now, the Steam Deck is back and better than ever before. The new OLED version boasts a high dynamic range screen, which means that colors are more vibrant and images are sharper than yesterday's model. This feature alone makes it worth upgrading to the OLED version when it comes to some gamers, but there are other improvements as well. Just like the Nintendo Switch, you have to really want that bump up in visual clarity to shell out more green, but at the same time, it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I see collectors with various models of a system.

One of the most notable improvements is the longer-lasting battery. The OLED version can provide up to 8 hours of gameplay on a single charge, which is a significant improvement over the original version. This means that you can play longer without having to worry about running out of battery life.

In addition to the longer battery life, the OLED version also has faster downloads. This is thanks to the improved Wi-Fi hardware, which can download games and updates at a much faster rate than before. This means that you can spend less time waiting for your games to download and more time playing them.

Of course, all of these improvements come at a cost. The OLED version is available in two models, the 512GB version for $549.00 and the 1TB version for $649.00. This may be a bit steep for some gamers, but the improved features are definitely worth the investment for some gamers.

Parents in the market for gifts: If your teen doesn't have a Steam Deck, the upgrade could certainly be worth the investment... if you'd got it like that. It takes their existing games on PC (via their Steam account) and gives them the ability to enjoy their games on the go. If you're accustomed to buying them game multiple times throughout the year... the savings will ultimately surpass the initial investment if you're looking to get them a new system. They aren't locked behind a paywall with the Steam Deck if they want to play online. If you have internet, they have access to play online multiplayer.

If you choose to stick to discounted games... and a few new releases for the year, your gamers win because the Steam deals have a reputation of being crazy good. At the same time... I gotta keep it real, if you're big on Nintendo... you're saving some serious green if you get your hands on the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle for $299.00, but they'll make that money back with the price of the games + that paywall (although it's fairly inexpensive). By the way, you get 3 months of online play included in this bundle.

Anyway, if you're not ready to upgrade to the Steam Deck OLED version just yet, don't worry. The original version is still available at a reduced price ranging from $349.00 to $449.00. This is a great option for gamers who want to try out the Steam Deck but don't want to spend too much money.

However, if you're a true gaming enthusiast, you might want to consider the limited edition Steam Deck OLED. This version comes with a see-through shell, which gives it a unique and futuristic look. Quantities are limited, so if you want to get your hands on one, you'll need to act fast before they're all gone.

Overall, the Valve Steam Deck OLED is an improvement over the original version. With its improved screen, longer battery life, and faster downloads, it should please those who score one. Steam Deck OLED is available November 16 If you want to take advantage of the lower-priced LCD version, get it before it's gone because the existing units are the last ones Valve intends to manufacture.

You won't get a big difference between processors in the LCD & OLED versions, but the refresh rates and response times are very different... along with some additional upgrades.

The LCD version serves up 60 Hz, has the OLED version delivers 90Hz w/ <0.1 ms, but... the LCD version has a 7" screen, the OLED has a 7.4" screen. 5.0 Bluetooth is in the LCD version while 5.3 Bluetooth is in the OLED version. See more... here!

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Valve Steam Deck is available now without the wait!

Valve's Steam Deck is now available without the waiting list. There is no guarantee that there won't be back orders, but this is promising.

I don't believe it's just that. I think Valve made this decision... because if gamers or their parents had to reserve a system, the Steam Deck would be a no-go option for the 2022 holiday season. - Blu

This is possible, but for Valve's sake, they should be prepared for the potential sales that pour in during the busy holidays. Before they took away the waiting list, Valve did ramp up Steam Deck production. This could mean that they are confident in their production performance to the level of what they'd need for the 2022 holidays.

If they can handle the season, we believe the Steam Deck is a great option to consider as a gift because it's a portable gaming PC, it's a handheld system, and it's also a console that you're able to connect to your TV. If this was the only reason to buy a Steam Deck, we wouldn't recommend it. Steam has a huge platform with games of various genres.

Whether you're looking for the latest AAA title or an indie gem, the Steam Deck has it at different budgets and you can use your collection of games.

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Valve ramps up Steam Deck production: Your wait could be over

Don't get taken to the cleaners, Steam is doubling up on Steam Deck shipments! According to Steam maker Valve wants to get out more than double the number of units on a weekly basis. Is this a sign that Valve has found a new route to cover their parts shortage? It's possible, so take this information and avoid being used by someone trying to jack up the price.

Say no to... price gougers.

I don't want to knock someone's hustle, but... there are literally open box units being sold for $1125.00. It's not even the 512GB model. I've even seen unopened options for $1500.00... which is nearly trip the price. Like... come on, keep your money in your pocket unless you come across a unit that makes sense and you're willing to buy from someone who isn't Valve or a reputable third-party reseller.

There are some people who kept things a bit more reasonable by selling units in a similar price range to the going price on the site. This technically defeats the purpose of reselling (unless they just don't want the device), but these are the only ones I'd entertain... if I ever went that route.

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