Why? From what I can tell it's just a 10-foot interface shoehorned into the existing version of Steam. I don't think anyone was waiting for this. Why would they be? It doesn't solve the principal issues, like why would I game at a crappier second PC that I have to separately maintain just to have the benefit of the couch?
Why would I put my good desktop in the living room just so I can use a controller in a more traditional environment? I can use a KB/mouse and a controller at my desk or in bed. Steam isn't going to magically be able to bring the graphical quality and versatility of the PC (which are it's primary benefits) to the living room without being forced to sacrifice most of it.
The dev time spent on this would have been much better used as an investment towards a home streaming technology. The Steam box should be an OnLive mircoconsole that uses your desktop PC running Steam as the server. It's perfectly possible, Apple does that exact thing via AirPlay except it uses your iPhone as the server. Try Real Racing 2 on a 1080p AppleTV, your doubts about the technology should vanish.
As it stands, this isn't notable news for anyone unless you're the type to be willing to build and maintain two gaming PCs just so you can play in two different rooms. If you are that type, something tells me lack of a 10-foot interface wasn't the obstacle in your way.
Either that, or be willing to compromise on graphical quality and versatility pretty heavily to get a cut down PC with standardized specs that you can put in the living room for cheaper...
Did you mean to say "This doesn't fit my particular use case."? I can name a dozen people off the top of my head that will be excited about this.
General purpose computers are general purpose enough that your attempts to predict the shapes people have their setups arranged in falls flat on its face.
As it stands, this isn't notable news for anyone unless you're the type to be willing to build and maintain two gaming PCs just so you can play in two different rooms.
Or keep the beefy computer in the living room as thats the only place they play PC games (as I do).
Or have a TV in their bedroom / want to point their monitor towards the bed and lay back to play (think kids living at home/dorms).
Or don't completely shit their pants over the idea of moving a box from one room to another.
Or are OK with using this box for some not-top-of-the-line games on the couch. The exciting indie titles don't have the budget necessary to make graphically demanding titles. And No, that isn't just a console. Releasing onto a console (even to XBLA) has monetary and certification requirements some developers can't meet or are unwilling to compromise their game to meet.
For me, this is exciting because it is the excuse I've been waiting for to move my desktop into my living room. I already have a laptop for my day to day. The only reason I really own a desktop anymore is for server type operations (which can be ran through SSH or VNC), media streaming, and gaming.
I will be buying a wireless Xbox 360 USB receiver and giving this a whirl.
Why would I put my good desktop in the living room just so I can use a controller in a more traditional environment? I can use a KB/mouse and a controller at my desk or in bed. Steam isn't going to magically be able to bring the graphical quality and versatility of the PC (which are it's primary benefits) to the living room without being forced to sacrifice most of it.
The dev time spent on this would have been much better used as an investment towards a home streaming technology. The Steam box should be an OnLive mircoconsole that uses your desktop PC running Steam as the server. It's perfectly possible, Apple does that exact thing via AirPlay except it uses your iPhone as the server. Try Real Racing 2 on a 1080p AppleTV, your doubts about the technology should vanish.
As it stands, this isn't notable news for anyone unless you're the type to be willing to build and maintain two gaming PCs just so you can play in two different rooms. If you are that type, something tells me lack of a 10-foot interface wasn't the obstacle in your way.
Either that, or be willing to compromise on graphical quality and versatility pretty heavily to get a cut down PC with standardized specs that you can put in the living room for cheaper...
...Wait, isn't that just a console?