Valve will let the public test Steam machines

　　GAMES DEVELOPER Valve isn't set on the idea of a Steambox as a hardware console, and is hoping that its fans will help it refine its plans.
　　The firm announced its SteamOS this week and hinted at hardware. That was stage one of a three tiered announcement.
　　Valve delivered tier two last night and it covered the firm's hardware plans. It will send out 300 prototype devices to applying home gamers and will expect them to provide feedback on how well the prototypes work to enable their living room gaming experience.
　　Meanwhile, several hardware companies will be taking the SteamOS and making their own equipment with it.
　　"Entertainment is not a one size fits all world. We want you to be able to choose the hardware that makes sense for you, so we are working with multiple partners to bring a variety of Steam gaming machines to market during 2014, all of them running SteamOS," it said.
　　"While these products are still in development, we need your help. As always, we believe the best way to ensure that the right products are getting made is to let people try them out and then make changes as we go. We have designed a high-performance prototype that's optimized for gaming, for the living room, and for Steam. Of course, it's also completely upgradable and open."
　　If you want in on this you should apply before 25 October. On that day the list of applicants will be locked and Valve will not consider any more applications.
　　It wants a detailed feedback system and is encouraging bug reports, forum posts and Haikus on its hardware.
　　A countdown shows the firm's third announcement scheduled for Friday.