'iFixit,' the hardware repair company, has announced a partnership with 'Valve,' the company behind the 'Steam Deck,' that enables the repairs retailer to carry Steam Deck parts. The Steam Deck is the upcoming handheld console designed to run PC games on the go. The console has its own operating system and software, though it will also be capable of performing most computer tasks, such as browsing the web.
In a move from Valve that supports the right-to-repair movement, Valve has provided iFixit with the means to supply official replacement parts for the Steam Deck. On top of this, Valve made disassembling, reassembling, and replacing parts on the Steam Deck easy. This means that easy-to-break parts such as the trigger buttons or the joystick can be replaced in a matter of minutes. This is an excellent move from Valve in terms of hardware transparency, repair costs, and support of third-party parts.
Image Credit: iFixit, Creative Electron
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Right-to-repair Movement
- The move from Valve supports a growing trend in the demand for the right-to-repair electronic devices, creating an opportunity for startups centered around easy to repair electronic devices.
- Handheld Gaming Consoles
- The upcoming release of Steam Deck and its repairability opens the door for increased opportunities in the handheld gaming console market.
- Transparency in Hardware Repair
- Valve's decision to make replacement of easy-to-break parts more accessible encourages transparency in hardware repair, leading to opportunities for companies that prioritize repairability in their designs.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Consumer Electronics Repair
- The partnership between iFixit and Valve presents optimistic opportunities for startups that specialize in consumer electronics repair.
- Gaming Console Manufacturing
- The trend towards more repairable handheld gaming consoles presents a potential opportunity for manufacturers that prioritize sustainable and transparent design in their products.
- Web Browser Developers
- As the Steam Deck is capable of performing most computer tasks, such as browsing the web, there is potential for companies that specialize in web browsing to create better solutions for mobile browsing on handheld devices.
