Valve has been constructing as much as this for months, first in preview, then in beta, and now lastly in a full secure launch: a brand new model of SteamOS that brings brand-new options to the Steam Deck and helps third-party handhelds like Lenovo’s Legion Go and Asus’ ROG Ally sequence.
Until now, those that wished to strive SteamOS on these Windows handhelds may shoehorn the Steam Deck’s authentic restoration picture onto their system, or choose for the same expertise like Bazzite. But now, Valve explicitly offers directions for getting that picture engaged on a Legion Go or ROG Ally, even because it warns that “help for all units that’s not formally ‘Powered by SteamOS’ will not be remaining.”
But even in case you don’t care about rival handhelds, SteamOS 3.7.8 has a lot of enhancements for the Steam Deck. I’ve been asking Valve to let me use my Bluetooth earbuds’ microphone since launch, and it’s lastly occurring in desktop mode (sadly not gaming mode but) because of HFP/HSP profiles. You can flip in your Steam Deck LCD from throughout the room with a Bluetooth controller, a characteristic beforehand unique to the OLED mannequin, which is useful once you’re docked to a TV.
Speaking of leaving it docked, now you can set a Battery Charge Limit to 80 p.c for longevity’s sake in case your handheld is at all times plugged in, frame-limit variable refresh fee shows, and management the P-state frequency of sure AMD CPUs.
An up to date SteamOS FAQ appears to recommend that Valve is able to develop SteamOS past Lenovo and the Steam Deck. “We’re at present working with choose companions on formally licensed Powered by SteamOS units. Please attain out to us at poweredbysteamos@valvesoftware.com for extra details about licensing SteamOS on your system,” one reply reads.
But the business remains to be ready for Valve’s different shoe(s) to drop. Rumors are nonetheless heating up that we’re near the launch of Valve’s wi-fi VR headset “Deckard,” and that it may be pointing the way in which towards a SteamOS-powered front room console too. Valve has been transferring sluggish and regular, nevertheless it looks like a grasp plan for Steam Machines may lastly be coming into focus.
