According to the latest rumors, references to new SteamOS hardware codenamed “Fremont” have been noticed in the software of Steam Deck. Due to the mention of HDMI CEC features, which allow synchronization with external displays, online researchers speculate that it could be a home console rather than a successor to the Steam Deck.
These rumors come at a time when Valve is reportedly working on two new controller models. If the speculation proves accurate, "Fremont" could represent Valve's return to the idea of expanding the Steam ecosystem into living rooms, an ambition they first attempted to achieve through the Steam Machines initiative almost a decade ago.
Valve's previous initiative, Steam Machines, failed partly due to reliance on third-party hardware manufacturers and the then-limited game support on SteamOS. Today, the situation is significantly different. Linux game compatibility has greatly improved thanks to tools like Proton, enabling thousands of Windows titles to run on SteamOS. In the meantime, Valve has developed successful products like the VR device Valve Index and the portable console Steam Deck, giving them a better position to create a new device.
If Valve is indeed planning to launch a device like a “Steam console,” the challenges could be significant. Designing a device that would compete with traditional consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, while also maintaining the flexibility of the PC ecosystem, would require a careful balance between accessibility and performance. For now, the rumors remain unconfirmed, but the fact that Valve is exploring new hardware possibilities suggests a continuation of their ambition to expand the Steam platform beyond the traditional boundaries of PC gaming.
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