Technology

Valve's Steam Frame VR Headset Reviewed: Is £1,000+ Price Tag Worth It?

Valve has released a new virtual reality headset called the Steam Frame, which has received a hands-on evaluation by BBC technology reporter Tom Gerken. The device has been praised for its performance and quality, earning positive marks in early testing. However, its price tag of over £1,000 raises questions about the accessibility of high-end VR technology to mainstream consumers. The review highlights the ongoing tension in the VR market between delivering premium experiences and keeping hardware affordable for wider audiences.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Valve Launches Steam Frame VR Headset at $1,049 Amid Stagnant Market

Valve has released a new virtual reality headset called the Steam Frame, priced at $1,049. The device represents the company's latest attempt to reinvigorate consumer interest in VR technology. The hardware arrives at a time when the broader VR market has struggled to maintain momentum after early enthusiasm. Ars Technica reviewed the product, examining whether it can deliver on the promise of a VR resurgence that the industry has long sought.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Daydream App Lets Users Shop Outfits From Photos Using Apple Intelligence

Fashion app Daydream has launched new features powered by Apple Intelligence following the release of iOS 27. The update allows users to convert saved outfit photos from their camera roll into shoppable product results. Additionally, shoppers can now search for fashion items through Siri without needing to open the Daydream app directly. The integration leverages Apple's on-device AI capabilities to streamline the fashion discovery and shopping experience.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Valve's Steam Frame Wearable PC Reviewed: Comfortable but Costly at $1,059+

Valve has released the Steam Frame, a wearable PC that doubles as a headset, priced at $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB version. Unlike conventional VR headsets, the device is positioned primarily as a wearable personal computer rather than a virtual reality peripheral. A reviewer at The Verge spent nearly three weeks testing the device, noting it weighs just over one pound and leaves no facial marks even after extended use. The Steam Frame costs two to three times more than visually similar headsets from Meta, making it a premium offering in the wearable display market.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Valve Steam Frame VR headset launches at $1,059, bundles Half-Life: Alyx

Valve has announced pricing for its Steam Frame headset, with the base 256GB model starting at $1,059 and a 1TB version priced at $1,299. The device is capable of running both flat and VR games locally, as well as streaming either type from a PC. Every unit will include a copy of Half-Life: Alyx, which Valve has optimized to run natively on the headset. The headset is available in multiple regional currencies, with European pricing set at €1,049 and UK pricing at £889 for the base model.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Valve bundles Half-Life: Alyx with new Steam Frame headset via ARM64 port

Valve has launched the Steam Frame, its first VR headset since 2019, priced at $1,059. Every unit comes bundled with Half-Life: Alyx, the acclaimed 2020 VR title. To make this possible, Valve ported the game to ARM64 so it runs natively on the headset's Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 3 chip. This means buyers no longer need a separate VR-ready desktop or laptop PC to play the game. The port is a significant technical achievement given the game's original high hardware requirements.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Valve's Steam Frame Headset Reviewed After Three-Week Beta Test

The Verge's Sean Hollister spent three weeks beta-testing the Steam Frame, Valve's new mixed-reality headset that the company is careful not to label as a VR device. The device comes with controllers, an ergonomic accessories kit, and an Arcturus Vision Camera. Hollister described the Steam Frame as a potential glimpse into the future of cross-platform gaming. He hosted a live Q&A session at 4PM ET to answer reader questions about his hands-on experience with the hardware.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Dell XPS 13 (2026) Returns as a $700 Rival to Apple's MacBook Neo

Dell has revived the XPS 13 lineup with a 2026 model priced at $700, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple's MacBook Neo. The company had previously considered retiring the XPS brand, but earlier resurrected it with the higher-end XPS 14 and 16 models. The new XPS 13 is designed as an affordable thin-and-light ultraportable, targeting a more budget-conscious segment than its predecessors. Reviewers note that its key hardware components — including the display, keyboard, trackpad, and speakers — are rated great to excellent. Outside of Apple's offering, the 2026 XPS 13 is considered among the best-built laptops available at its price point.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Netflix Announces Crazy Taxi Film and New Sonic Series Among Three Sega Adaptations

Netflix has revealed plans to adapt three Sega properties into new film and television projects. The lineup includes a Crazy Taxi movie, a new Sonic the Hedgehog animated series described as edgier and aimed at older kids, and a live-action film based on Stranger Than Heaven, an upcoming game from Yakuza developer RGG Studio. The Crazy Taxi adaptation, based on the classic 1999 arcade game, is expected to be the first of the three projects to release, though no premiere date has been announced. Netflix already has an existing Sonic series, Sonic Prime, which has run for three seasons on the platform.

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TechnologyNYT Technology ·

Amazon Pauses Ties With 21 Air After Cargo Plane Overshoots Miami Runway

Amazon has suspended its working relationship with 21 Air following a cargo plane incident in Miami. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767 operated by the cargo airline on behalf of the retail giant. The plane overshot a runway during the incident, prompting Amazon to announce a formal pause in its partnership with the airline. The move reflects Amazon's response to safety concerns arising from the crash.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Cheap Solar Panels Are Reshaping the Global Energy Landscape

Solar power is experiencing a dramatic cost decline, driven largely by the mass production of Chinese-manufactured panels. These affordable panels are being installed on rooftops worldwide, altering the economics of energy generation. The shift is putting significant pressure on large traditional utility companies, which are being forced to adapt their business models. The widespread adoption of solar is changing fundamental assumptions about how electricity is produced and distributed globally.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Microsoft releases AI code of conduct banning hacking and deception by its models

Microsoft has introduced a formal code of conduct outlining behavioral standards that its AI models are expected to follow. The guidelines include broad principles such as supporting and augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them, and promoting human well-being. The code also establishes specific safety constraints designed to put those principles into practice. Among the key prohibitions are actions like hacking systems or deceiving users. The move reflects growing industry pressure to define clear ethical boundaries for AI systems.

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TechnologyBBC Tech ·

AI Is Reshaping Daily Life, but Concerns Over Misuse and Environment Grow

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a part of everyday life, influencing how people work, communicate, and access information. The technology operates by processing large amounts of data to identify patterns and make decisions or predictions. However, its rapid adoption has raised concerns among critics and experts alike. Some worry about the potential for AI to be misused, whether through misinformation, surveillance, or other harmful applications. Others have highlighted the significant energy consumption involved in running AI systems, raising questions about its environmental sustainability.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Las Vegas as Its 15th Market

Waymo has launched its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas, marking the city as its 15th operational market. The Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company continues to grow its footprint across the United States. Las Vegas represents a significant expansion for Waymo into one of the country's busiest tourist and entertainment destinations. The move signals the company's ongoing push to scale its driverless ride-hailing business beyond its existing markets.

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TechnologyArs Technica ·

Volvo Refreshes XC40 SUV With Updated Styling for 2028 Model Year

Volvo has unveiled a refreshed version of its XC40 small SUV for the 2028 model year. The Swedish automaker has made design updates to the vehicle, focusing on changes to its corners and lighting elements. The refresh is described as a sympathetic makeover, suggesting the updates are evolutionary rather than a complete redesign. The XC40 remains one of Volvo's popular compact SUV offerings in its global lineup.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

Automattic's Board Dissolved Days After Failed Bid to Remove CEO Mullenweg

Automattic's board of directors has been dissolved, according to sources who spoke with TechCrunch. The shake-up comes just days after board members voted to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on administrative leave. The attempt to sideline Mullenweg ultimately failed, and the board has since been removed. The development marks a significant internal power struggle at the company behind WordPress.com.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Volkswagen's Mission Efficiency Prototype Sets World Aerodynamic and Energy Records

Volkswagen has unveiled a near-production electric coupe prototype called Mission Efficiency, built on its MEB+ platform using components from upcoming ID. Polo and ID. Cross models. The 2+2 seat vehicle has achieved a drag coefficient of just 0.158, making it the most aerodynamic road-approved vehicle in the world. It also set a new energy efficiency record, consuming only 6.48 kWh per 100 kilometres during a constant-speed test at 68 km/h. The prototype reflects Volkswagen's focused push to maximise efficiency in its next generation of electric vehicles.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Google discounts Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 10A ahead of iPhone 18 Pro launch

Google's Pixel smartphone lineup is seeing notable price cuts at Amazon and Best Buy, timed closely to Apple's iPhone 18 Pro launch on September 18th. The Pixel 11 Pro is now available for around $1,007, down from its $1,099 retail price, while the standard Pixel 11 has dropped to approximately $840, a $60 reduction. The budget-friendly Pixel 10A, which runs on the Tensor G4 chip, has fallen from $499 to $424 at both Amazon and Best Buy. The discounts make Google's Pixel-exclusive features — such as Camera Looks and Magic Capture — more accessible to buyers weighing their options. Analysts and observers widely view the timing of these price reductions as a strategic response to competition from Apple's latest flagship release.

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TechnologyTechCrunch ·

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to Host Session on AI Startups Surviving Foundation Model Advances

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature an interactive session on the Builders Stage addressing a key challenge for AI startups. The core concern is not whether foundation models like those from OpenAI will keep improving, but whether independent AI companies can sustain their value as they do. Founders are warned that the real threat is building a successful product only to see it absorbed as a feature by a larger platform. The session aims to help builders think strategically about differentiation and long-term viability. Early registration is open, with discounts of up to $200 available before September 25.

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TechnologyThe Verge ·

Adam Conover argues YouTube is a worse gatekeeper than traditional TV networks

Comedian and writer Adam Conover, known for Adam Ruins Everything, appeared on The Verge's Decoder podcast to discuss the disrupted state of the media industry. He argued that Hollywood weakened itself by abandoning entire categories of TV programming in its race to compete with Netflix and HBO, ceding that ground to YouTube. Conover contends that YouTube is not a democratizing force but actually a more opaque gatekeeper than legacy broadcasters, since creators cannot negotiate with a recommendation algorithm. Now running what he describes as a small media business on YouTube, Conover hosts the podcast Factually! and recently hired his first full-time employee to manage his workload. He also pushes back on the term 'creator,' reflecting his broader skepticism about how tech platforms exercise leverage over the people who produce content for them.

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