(http://cdn3.store.steampowered.com/public/images/promo/livingroom/CeEUY1Jchw/machines_livingroom.jpg)
Second Reveal
The second reveal from Valve was unsurprisingly their steam-box, which is referred to as "Steam Machines". Being in practicality just a PC, it will not have one design, but be manufactured by multiple companies, which I assume will all give it their unique design.
In addition, 300 machines are given out to beta testers. To become a beta tester do the following:
THE HARDWARE BETA ELIGIBILITY QUEST:
Before October 25, log in to Steam and then visit your quest page to track your current status towards beta test eligibility
1. Join the Steam Universe community group
2. Agree to the Steam Hardware Beta Terms and Conditions
3. Make 10 Steam friends (if you haven't already)
4. Create a public Steam Community profile (if you haven't already)
5. Play a game using a gamepad in Big Picture mode
The other interesting tidbit is:
Can I hack this box? Run another OS? Change the hardware? Install my own software? Use it to build a robot?
Sure.
in addition to the fact that the source code will be open for download. That could lead to some highly interesting modified steamOS'es with tons of user generated goodiness.
Stay tuned for the third reveal, which is likely to be about the input-methods for the console. New controller or perhaps something revolutionary. I vote for a powerglove... That worked so well for Nintendo!
Timer to next announcement at: http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/ (http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/)
More about Steam Machines at: http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/ (http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamMachines/)