Valve has officially rolled out a new feature to the SteamVR stable branch, bringing basic hand-tracking capabilities to Steam Link for Quest users. This feature was previously only available in the Beta test branch that was released back in August. The latest SteamVR 2.8 update doesn’t offer full hand-tracking support for SteamVR’s UI, but it does allow Quest users to customize their setup for each game by experimenting with input bindings.
To activate hand-tracking through Steam Link, ensure that both SteamVR and the Steam Link app for Quest are up to date. Then, navigate to the Binding UI in SteamVR’s Controller Settings to enable hand-tracking. Simply tap your controllers together to start experimenting with this new feature.
In addition to the hand-tracking update, Valve has included several bug fixes and quality of life improvements in the SteamVR 2.8 release. These improvements extend to SteamVR, Valve’s OpenXR API, and Steam Link for Quest, enhancing overall 2D and 3D streaming stability via Steam Link.
While Valve has not confirmed this, it is likely that Steam Link will not be limited to just Quest users. With the majority of connected VR headsets being Quest devices, Valve’s ongoing work on Steam Link could be a strategic move in preparation for the potential release of its rumored standalone headset, codenamed ‘Deckard’. Speculation about Valve’s standalone headset has been fueled by references to Deckard in SteamVR and various patent filings, indicating a possible competitor to Meta’s Quest lineup.
The full release notes for SteamVR 2.8 include various updates and fixes for SteamVR, OpenXR, and Steam Link. Some highlights include a new movement model for Dashboard Grab Handles, restyled controls for desktop windows, and improved behavior for low FPS scene apps on non-native headsets like Quest and Steam Link.
Overall, the latest SteamVR update brings exciting new features and improvements for Quest users, hinting at a potentially bright future for Valve’s VR ecosystem.
