The newly-released SteamVR 2.0 has brought its virtual reality interface in line with its more current Steam and Steam Deck. The new UI includes a side toolbar with tabs for users’ library, the Steam store, friends, and downloads. The side panel is nearly identical to the Steam Deck’s current layout.

On the bottom of the new VR dashboard, users can quickly get a sense of the battery life on their individual VR remotes and quickly access notifications. Users can now access Steam Chat and Voice Chat from the main SteamVR dashboard. The drop-down keyboard also allows users to type with two cursors from both controllers and incorporates more languages.

Users can now send emojis to friends through the chat client. The update also includes bug fixes and a few improvements, such as a button to toggle multitasking view on Windows 10 and 11 desktop overlays. Desktop windows should also share their icon alongside their name.

Since the release of the headset in 2019 and the VR-exclusive game Half-Life: Alyx, Valve’s VR ambitions have been inactive. There’s been practically no confirmation on any of these rumors, so they need to be taken with caution. If Valve does re-enter the VR hardware space, it would be at an interesting time.