This week in tech, Valve is making a return to hardware with the Steam Machine, and Apple is releasing a premium accessory for iPhone users. Additionally, Samsung is introducing portable screens, and Apple is testing digital IDs for travel.
Valve’s Second Attempt at a Home Console
Valve, known for the Steam gaming platform, is relaunching the Steam Machine, a home console concept abandoned a decade ago. The new machine, powered by a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, boasts six times the power of the Steam Deck. It’s designed to be compact, roughly the size of a Nintendo GameCube, and features user-upgradable memory and storage.
Alongside the Steam Machine, Valve is releasing a new Steam Controller with haptic-feedback trackpads and standard gaming controls. The company is also unveiling the Steam Frame, a long-awaited VR headset. This “streaming-first” headset connects wirelessly to a PC to minimize lag, but can also function as a standalone device powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The Steam Frame weighs just 440 grams, making it lighter than competitors like the Meta Quest 3S and Samsung Galaxy XR, and features 2160×2160 LCD screens per eye.
Valve has not yet announced release dates or pricing, but expects to begin shipping these devices in early 2026.
Apple’s $230 iPhone Pouch
Apple is collaborating with Japanese design brand Issey Miyake to release the “iPhone Pocket,” a minimalist shoulder bag inspired by a simple cloth. The pouch, available in short-strap ($150) and long-strap ($230) versions, is designed to fit any iPhone model. This isn’t the first time Apple has suggested fabric protection for its devices; the iPod Socks debuted in 2004 for $29.
The iPhone Pocket is a limited-edition release, available in select Apple Store locations and online in France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the US. It has already sold out online.
Digital ID Comes to Apple Wallet
Apple is piloting Digital ID in Apple Wallet, allowing users to store their US passport information for domestic travel. The feature is currently in beta at over 250 TSA checkpoints across the US. This allows users to present identification even without a Real ID-compliant driver’s license. Apple emphasizes that Digital ID does not replace a physical passport for international travel.
Samsung’s Movingstyle Screens
Samsung is introducing Movingstyle Screens, portable displays designed for on-the-go productivity and entertainment. The screens are lightweight and versatile, allowing users to connect them to laptops, smartphones, and other devices for expanded viewing.
These developments highlight the ongoing convergence of hardware, software, and accessory design in the tech industry. Apple’s premium pricing strategy continues with the iPhone Pocket, while Valve is attempting a second chance at the home console market with the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Digital ID represents a step towards streamlined travel verification, and Samsung’s portable screens cater to the growing demand for mobile productivity
